Patagonia Pulls Out of Outdoor Retailer

On December 28th, Barack Obama designated the Bears Ears region in south-eastern Utah as a national monument. That move was immediately met with strong opposition from Utah politicians including the mayor of Monticello Tim Young, Utah congressmen Jason Chaffetz & Rob Bishop, Senator Orrin Hatch, and Utah Governor Gary Herbert. On Friday, Governor Herbert signed a resolution advising President Trump to overturn the Bears Ears National Monument designation.

 Bears Ears as seen from Utah State Route 261

In response to this, outdoor clothing company Patagonia has decided to pull out of Outdoor Retailer, the industry’s largest trade show, which takes place twice per year (winter & summer) in Salt Lake City. Rose Marcario, President and CEO, Patagonia, issued a statement vowing to boycott Outdoor Retailer unless the Governor reverses his actions, or the show is moved to another state.

Because of the hostile environment they have created and their blatant disregard for Bears Ears National Monument and other public lands, the backbone of our business, Patagonia will no longer attend the Outdoor Retailer show in Utah and we are confident other outdoor manufacturers and retailers will join us in moving our investment to a state that values our industry and promotes public lands conservation.

-Rose Marcario

Patagonia is not alone, and with pressure mounting from other outdoor industry leaders, the owner of Outdoor Retailer, Emerald Expositions, has begun looking into moving the trade show to another state.

With the economic impact of the Outdoor Retailer trade shows being worth a reportedly $45 million per year, other states are already stepping up to the plate. Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper recently told The Denver Post that he doesn’t agree with Utah’s position on public lands and will make a bid if Denver is identified as a potential host. Denver already hosts the Snowsports Industries America (SIA) annual Snow Show.