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O utdoor specialty store owners, now more than ever, know they must keep their assortments fresh and filled with unique and innovative brands that set them apart from the small outdoor chains, large big box stores and online behemoths. Under normal circumstances, outdoor retail buy- ers often head to industry trade shows, according to several post-show surveys of Outdoor Retailer attendees, to search for emerging and upstart brands to bring into their stores. On the flip side, small and start-up vendors often utilize trade shows to enter a market segment or showcase new concepts and technologies. With the cancellation of in-person industry events for the greater part of 2020, both small brands and small retailers have lost a primary method of brand marketing and discovery. With that in mind, we have put together this showcase of upstarts and inno- vators that continue the tradition of small brands driving outdoor industry innovation. Small Brand Showcase Highlighting the start-ups and smaller brands that spark industry innovation Inside Outdoor | FALL 2020 40