ASCENT: The National Launchpad for Emerging Outdoor Brands at Outdoor Retailer
Outdoor Retailer’s Ascent Pavilion is the Ultimate Springboard to Success
Calling All New Outdoor Brands:
Are you a Founder, CEO, or inventor ready to go from a product to a national brand?
The ASCENT | Emerging Brands Pavilion at Outdoor Retailer 2026 in Minneapolis is your dedicated launchpad. We have designed a cost-effective, high-visibility platform specifically for ascending makers who challenge convention and sameness
Why ASCENT is the Essential Investment for Your Brand’s Valuation
Unparalleled Exposure to Key Decision-Makers
Outdoor Retailer is the most efficient and impactful way to validate your brand on a national stage.
- Media Magnet: We heavily promote ASCENT as the primary source of newness for the industry. You gain exposure to a concentration of media, including Editors-in-Chief and Gear Editors, to generate compelling content and secure partnerships. Your brand will benefit from an OR-led tour of ASCENT with attending media.
- Investor & Influencer Access: Connect with influential retailers and investors looking specifically for what’s next. Engage in programming like the Ascent Summit, which focuses on startup challenges and offers opportunities to pitch to leaders.
- Curated Discovery: The new show format specifically highlights innovation. Buyers and media dedicate time to ASCENT and the Innovation Awards because they need to find unique products and assortment fillers.
Cost-Effective, Turnkey, and High-Visibility Package
We address the high cost of entry by providing a high-impact, turnkey solution.
The $2,500 ASCENT Package is designed to maximize your ROI:
- A dedicated, cost-effective, turnkey booth/kiosk in a high-traffic, curated zone.
- 50 Guaranteed Leads.
- Access to Lead Retrieval and Matchmaking services.
- Digital Marketing Promotions including website promotion, pre-show promotional emails to pre-registered buyers, and social channel promotion.
- Two (2) Exhibitor Badges.
- Ability to nominate retailers for OR’s Hosted Buyer program
Strategic Programming for Growth & Validation
We surround your physical presence with programming designed for success:
- Ascent Summit: An inaugural, focused summit bringing together more than 200 founders for a day of education, collaboration, and community to inspire progress.
- Innovation Awards: We encourage application! Winning these awards provides massive validation of your R&D investment and unparalleled media exposure.
- Partnerships: Access support and networking via programs and partnerships that support emerging brands, such as the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance (GOA) Scholarship and the Garage Grown Gear + Founded Outdoors Campsite Pavilion.
On the first day of the show, we opened three brand new accounts. So that was really exciting for us and set the pace for the day.
Since we come from the outdoor industry, we truly believe in selling the industry on our vision and product. OR was the best platform to do that, and the response was magnetic.
ASCENT Qualifying Criteria
To ensure the integrity and focus of the district, the ASCENT program is reserved for brands that meet the following criteria:
- 10 years or less in business.
- $5 million or less in annual revenue.
Join Us In August.
Don’t miss this opportunity to catapult your brand into the big leagues! Join the Outdoor Retailer community and take your brand on an unforgettable journey.
