Organizers of Winter Sports Market and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development announced a new three-year partnership that will bring the longest continuously running trade show for specialty winter sports retailers in the United States to Salt Lake City, Utah beginning in January 2019.
The 2019 event will be held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah on January 23-25.
WSM began in 1998 when Sports Specialists, Ltd. and Snow Sports Merchandising partnered to bring store owners and buyers together with preferred suppliers at the beginning of each season to review new products, discuss strategies and share best practices.
“We welcome WSM members and manufactures to experience all Utah has to offer,” said Val Hale, executive director of GOED. “Utah’s unmatched access and beauty provides a premier venue for outdoor recreation conventions. We look forward to a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship.”
The Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation (OOR) embodies the state’s ongoing commitment to outdoor recreation as both an economic driver and a way of life. OOR’s guiding vision is to ensure that all Utahns can live a healthy, active life through outdoor recreation. Utah’s outdoor recreation industry contributes more than $12.3 billion to the economy, employs more than 110,000 people and is the primary driver behind the tourism industry.
“Winter Spots Market vendors and retailers will greatly appreciate the convenience and affordability of Salt Lake City’s world-class amenities,” said Tom Adams, director of the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation. “There are so many activities within a short drive of the Salt Palace. The convention hall in downtown Salt Lake City is ten minutes from the airport, there are seven ski resorts within 30 minutes of the convention center plus world-class dining, arts, entertainment and professional sporting events within walking distance of the show. Bottom line, Utah is a mountain above the rest when it comes to merging business and recreation.”
