The Outdoor Trade Show (OTS) took place recently at Exhibition Centre Liverpool and was the first trade show held at the venue since the start of the pandemic.

ACC Liverpool’s new waterfront venue hosted 110 exhibitors at the event from 29 June–1 July, which saw winners of the 2021 UK Outdoor Industry Awards presented with trophies from ten different categories.  

The oversubscribed Sustainability Breakfast event on Wednesday featured speakers from brands such as Rab and organisations including the BMC, OIA, and the EOG.  

OTS organiser Marta Williams said: “Having found a new home for OTS, plans are in place to return to Liverpool in June 2022 and build on the success that we experienced this year.” 

Mark Wood, sports division sales manager at Scott Sports said: “A great show was put on in difficult times and [I] appreciate the time, effort and work that must have been put in to make it happen. The venue, quality of visitors and general ambiance exceeded our expectations and came away from the show with smiles on our faces, some normality back in our lives and some new retailers to work with.” 

Sam Fernando, sales director of Scotland-based outdoor clothing experts Keela, said: “Located at the outstanding Liverpool waterfront, the show was dynamic and positive, with a real buzz in the aisles. Forget the footie, OTS has come home.” 

Lesley Beck, organiser of Slide & OTS Winter Show, attended OTS to meet up with prospective exhibitors: “It was really pleasing that all those at OTS were already aware of the joint Slide & OTS Winter show planned for January and everyone was interested to hear more.

“Just 2 weeks after launching the show, over 47% of the stand space has already been sold, so it’s been a great start. We are following up all the interest expressed at OTS last week as quickly as possible to match exhibitors to the most suitable stand space.”

The Exhibition Centre, Liverpool again played host to the Outdoor Trade Show and the 2022 event closed the doors having recorded unique 829 visitors over the three days, an increase of 17% when compared to the previous year’s visitor attendance.  Interestingly the visitor statistics suggest that buyers are spending more time at the show with a total of 1070 (including repeats) visitors over the three-day period, representing a 24% increase on the previous year.

With 125 exhibitors, and additional 2000sqm of hall space and a huge variety of product ranges to see, buyers from the major multiples and leading independents all made efforts to seek out the new products, place forward orders and network with friends and colleagues from the trade.   The modern exhibition centre on Liverpool’s waterfrontproved to be popular with exhibitors and visitors alike with the vibrant atmosphere at the show proving the value of the annual trade event.

At the OTS Social on the Wednesday evening, the finalists in nine categories of the 2022 UK Outdoor Industry Awards were announced and the Awards Display area at the show attracted a great deal of interest from visitors and provided a popular feature of the show with over 90 products on display.  The Sustainability Breakfast sponsored by Rab on the Wednesday morning was well attended and supported by brands, retailers and the media, all keen to hear and learn more about sustainability initiatives and brand journeys towards becoming more carbon neutral.   Andy Schimeck, Global Sales Manager for Equip Outdoor Technologies led the introduction before handing over to Outdoor & Cycle Concepts, Managing Director, Jose Finch and Head of Sustainability Melanie Gruenwald together with Paramo’s Commercial Director, Richard Pyne to hear about respective CSR initiatives from the two organisations.