Salt Lake City, UT – The 2025 Outdoor Retailer & ODI (Outdoor Design + Innovation) convention, North America's premier B2B outdoor industry trade show, commenced today, June 18, and is scheduled to run through June 20 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. The three-day event serves as a critical nexus for thousands of outdoor apparel, gear, and material companies, facilitating product showcases, R&D insights, and trend exploration.

Key participants include retailers, wholesale and import firms, product developers, suppliers, manufacturers, and media. The convention aims to foster exchange and collaboration within the industry, featuring extensive product displays and discussions on material technology and design trends. Educational seminars are a significant component, covering consumer trends, visionary retail strategies, and business development, alongside structured networking opportunities for buyers, exhibitors, and industry leaders.

A notable innovation this year is the introduction of 'Match,' an AI-powered networking platform designed to enhance connections. This platform allows attendees to search, interact with, and schedule meetings with registered exhibitors and fellow attendees based on profile data, enabling connections even beyond the physical show floor. Seminar topics delve into critical industry themes such as the role of AI in retail, shifts in consumer behavior, supply chain management, sustainability, the creator economy, and crafting experiential retail. Speakers include prominent figures from Google, Cotopaxi, and Salomon, among others.

Registration, which closed today, saw varying fee structures, with prospective manufacturers, non-buyers, and non-exhibitors paying USD 1,000 online or USD 1,200 for on-site registration. Retailers, importers/distributors, and designer-developers were exempt from these fees. Over 500 companies and approximately 20,000 industry visitors are anticipated to attend.

The U.S. outdoor industry has experienced a significant boom following the pandemic, driven by a surge in demand for outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and water sports. The market, valued at approximately USD 42.2 billion in 2024, continues to show robust recovery and growth, with projections of a 5.9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2025 to 2034.

Korean brands, recognized for their superior design and functional materials, have already established a strong presence and marketability within this sector. Their participation in zones like ODI and the Independent Brands Zone is expected to facilitate significant buyer matching and global distribution opportunities.

However, the convention faces challenges, notably the lingering effects of the Trump administration's tariff policies and a renewed focus on domestic manufacturing and strengthening the U.S. internal market. These factors have created export and import uncertainties, leading to a notably subdued registration rate from key manufacturing nations like China, other Asian countries, and South American firms. Attendance from these regions is currently less than half of previous years.

This climate of uncertainty has prompted ongoing discussions regarding the future role of such international trade events as crucial gateways for market entry into the U.S. retail landscape. The long-term efficacy of these shows as a bridge amidst evolving global trade policies remains a subject of considerable debate.

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