Hikers, campers, backpackers, cyclists and outdoor lovers of all sorts can get a preview of new and upcoming gear that has previously been reserved for industry insiders, retailers and media. The Big Gear Show in Denver has combined the traditional industry trade show format with a weekend consumer festival, June 10-11. Hosted at the Colorado Convention Center, the show also includes (e)revolution, an industry gathering of e-bike companies. The model creates a first-of-its-kind outdoor trade show and gear festival that gives the public a chance to see next season’s gear and learn about how to use it.
Organizers have heralded the Big Gear Show as a unique B2B2C, or business to business to consumer, event:. Since its inception in 2020, the Big Gear Show has been attempting to redefine what outdoor industry events should look like. The trade show format took a big blow during COVID-19 with public gatherings shut down, then cautiously scaled back. But even before the pandemic, outdoor businesses and brands have questioned the value of the format and challenged how and where it is held.
When Patagonia and 25 of the largest global outdoor brands announced they would boycott of Outdoor Retailer in Salt Lake City as a protest of Utah’s spotty environmental policies especially related to Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, then-Governor John Hickenlooper and Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation Office jumped at the chance to bring the showcase of the multi-billion-dollar industry to Denver in 2018. But when the five-year contract expired in 2022, Outdoor Retailer announced it would return to its hometown of Salt Lake City, citing easier access to on-mountain and on-water demonstrations and a desire to influence Utah’s environmental policies from within the state. Those large companies will be absent as promised.
Enter the Big Gear Show. The show began in 2020 and was held in Salt Lake City, but changed locations when Outdoor Retailer vacated Denver. The newer show has been attempting to build a better way of gathering outdoor industry creators and retailers and now users and consumers.
“Our ethos has always been to embrace both retailers and consumers and we feel like now is the time to bring our industry to where the people are,” said Kenji Haroutunian, Big Gear Show director.“When we first announced The Big Gear Show in 2020, we envisioned it taking place inside an accessible center city location, designed to incorporate product demonstrations as well as consumer engagement. Now our original vision is realized.”
Governor Polis was on-hand to start the show, announcing, “Here in Colorado outdoor recreation is our way of life. It’s our identity and a big part of our economy, and that’s why we are so thrilled to host this amazing showcase that brings brand leaders and new gear and innovative ideas together with retailers and consumers from around the country and around the world.”
This year’s Big Gear Show has about 100 exhibitors, showcasing outdoor, cycling, climbing, paddlesports and camping gear, overland, trail running, and wearable gear like functional and technical footwear and apparel.
For those who have had access to past Outdoor Retailer shows, this year’s Big Gear Show is a noticeably smaller gathering overall. But in the past, the general public didn’t have a chance to even notice that. Those biggest brands, including Patagonia and the North Face, are not at the Big Gear Show either. There is not a large collection of apparel brands overall. But the Big Gear Show features a mix of recognizable brands like Deuter, Lifestraw and Giant Bicycles with many smaller, newer companies bringing innovative takes and products to the marketplace. You can see a full exhibitor list here.
Three accelerator programs — REI Path Ahead Ventures, Moosejaw Accelerator and Founded Outdoors — have provided the opportunity to exhibit for more than two dozen new companies led by diverse industry innovators from nontraditional communities. Companies such as Near Zero, Outdoor Element, Conscious Gear and Falsoni are featuring new gear and user friendly ways to introduce new people to the benefits of outdoor recreation.
Adaptive Adventures and Hike It Baby both lead an experiential zone with hands on demonstrations of their programs to make the outdoors more accessible for disabled people and young families, respectively.
Of course, (e)revolution includes a fun, indoor test track where you can sample road and mountain e-bikes from companies such as Giant, Liv, and Yamaha. The course includes raised boardwalks and ramps to give a taste of climbing and descending.
The Get Outside Tour makes its first official stop in Colorado at The Big Gear Show, anchoring the education program. The education element also features a diverse lineup of speakers and panels.
More information on the Big Gear Show, including an exhibitor list and interactive floor plan, is available at thebiggearshow.com.
Reel Cool Gear
Check out our Instagram reel of the show and some favorite gear at @springsmag. Give us a follow while you’re there.
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