Outdoor Retailer 2026 Opens Registration, Launches “Make It Yours” Campaign Putting Industry in the Driver’s Seat
“Make It Yours” campaign invites outdoor industry to shape the future of Outdoor Retailer through participation, collaboration, feedback and shared experiences
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (April 21, 2026) — Outdoor Retailer, the platform for connection, learning, and outdoor innovation, officially opened registration for its 2026 show, August 19–21 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Marking a new era for the industry gathering, this year’s event is anchored by an expanded Hosted Buyer program, a reimagined format, and the launch of the “Make It Yours” campaign, focused on connection, education, and discovery of new products. Register here.
“Outdoor Retailer is evolving into a deeply collaborative platform, meeting stakeholders where they are and reflecting the industry’s future and its changing consumer,” said Lindsay Hubley, senior vice president, sports and outdoor division for Emerald, Outdoor Retailer’s parent company. “That means opening the door to new voices, new communities, and new ways for brands and retailers to connect in more meaningful, relevant ways.”
Make It Yours Campaign
With its move to Minneapolis, Outdoor Retailer enters its next phase, focused on emerging brands, founder-led companies, and partnerships across the outdoor ecosystem fueling the future of the outdoor industry. The “Make It Yours” campaign reflects this evolution, inviting the outdoor community to help drive the future of the industry through collaboration, new ideas, and shared experiences.
Expanded Hosted Buyer Program
Designed to support independent specialty retailers, this enhanced initiative helps reduce financial barriers to attendance. Approved buyers and product developers may receive travel support, including airfare and hotel accommodations, enabling them to focus on building relationships and sourcing new products on the show floor.
Qualified retailers can apply for the program here:
https://outdoorretailer.com/attend/or-hosted-buyer-program/
Platform Updates for 2026
A key element of this year’s event is the Wild Reach initiative bringing 150 creators on-site to produce live content and engage with exhibitors and attendees. A show floor layout features a mix of established brands and newer entrants.
In addition, the show includes Urban Outdoor Experiences, bringing outdoor activities into an urban setting at Theodore Wirth Regional Park, a 740-acre park just west of downtown.
Taking place daily from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. on August 20–21, attendees are invited to personalize their mornings with guided activities around Minneapolis. Organized through the Outdoor Retailer show app, these experiences provide access to outdoor spaces minutes from the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Industry Day and the Retail Playbook Lab
Outdoor Retailer will kick off the week with “Outdoor Next: Ideas That Move Us Forward,” its 2026 Industry Day program on August 19 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Designed as a forum for conversation and shared problem-solving, the half-day event convenes retailers, brands, media, and industry leaders for panels exploring forces shaping the outdoor sector, from shifting consumer behavior and economic pressures to emerging technologies and the evolving role of specialty retail.
Earlier that day, the Retail Playbook Lab provides a hands-on complement focused on practical strategies retailers can apply immediately. Designed as a working session, the lab bridges insight and execution, equipping attendees with tools to navigate today’s retail landscape.
About Outdoor Retailer
Outdoor Retailer is where the outdoor industry comes together to support the business of the outdoors. Designed in collaboration with brands, retailers, and industry leaders, the event creates space for connection, practical education, and the discovery of products shaping the future of outdoor recreation.
Outdoor Retailer is where the industry gathers to connect and collaborate on what comes next; #MakeItYours. Learn more at outdoorretailer.com.
Media Contact
Chris Goddard, CGPR
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