Partners host special event, A Celebration of Bend, to showcase city for livability and business.
Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is partnering with Bend-based outdoor products maker Ruffwear to host a special event, A Celebration of Bend, today at the popular Winter Outdoor Retailer tradeshow. The goal is to elevate Bend, not only as a healthy place for outdoor recreation and an enviable lifestyle, but also as a great location relocate an outdoor-focused business.
Drawing over 50,000 attendees on a semi-annual basis for its Winter and Summer Market shows,Outdoor Retailer (OR) is the largest outdoor industry tradeshow in North America and is held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City.
Held from January 22-25, Winter Outdoor Retailer featuresthe best of the winter sports market and is recognized as the event where outdoor industry manufacturers introduce new gear. In addition to 1,000 exhibitors (manufacturers), the event attracts thousands of retail buyers. Additionally, OR draws over 500 journalists, freelancers, and photographers from national outdoor, travel and lifestyle publications.
Outdoor Retailer is also where anyone involved in the business of outdoor recreation meets. In the2013 Post Show Report, 86% of attendees said they come to establish or build business relationships and 74% said they attend to network within the industry.
“Outdoor Retailer is the perfect place to talk with decision-makers about Bend as a business location,” said Nate LiaBraaten, EDCO Business Development Manager. “EDCO targets the outdoor market for several reasons. It’s a natural fit with Bend’s outdoor lifestyle and builds on our existing cluster of outdoor companies—like Ruffwear—to the city’s advantage.”
The afterhours Celebration of Bend social event is hosted by EDCO and Ruffwear in Ruffwear’s booth (#32063) from 4:30 to 6:30pm. Representatives, including individuals from Business Oregon, will be on hand to discuss Bend’s cost advantages, its well-developed business support infrastructure, and established cluster of outdoor companies. Beer from Deschutes Brewery continues the Bend theme and each $5 donation to The Conservation Alliance entitles the attendee to a Silipint with a Bend logo.
Based in Bend, The Conservation Alliance is a national organization whose mission is to engage outdoor businesses to help protect and conserve threatened wild places for their habitat and recreational value. Also headquartered in Bend, Silipint makes drinkware from silicone that appeals to beer and recreational enthusiasts for its eco-friendliness and versatility. Founded in 1988 as a brew pub in Bend, Deschutes Brewery is known for brewing a diverse line-up of award winning beers and now ships to 23 states.
Resources www.bendforbusiness.com Social media: #ORshow
Website: http://www.outdoorretailer.com/
Economic Impact of the Outdoor Recreation Industry in Oregon (Source: Outdoor Industry Association www.outdoorindustry.org/advocacy/recreation/economy.html)
• $12.8 Billion in consumer spending
• $4.0 Billion in wages and salaries
• 141,200 in direct jobs in Oregon
• $955 Million in state and local tax revenues
