Outdoor Market Alliance (OMA), a collective of 25 independent sales and marketing agencies representing more than 175 brands in the outdoor, resort, run and bike markets in the Rockies region, completed its first Summer Market Week with an impressive showing from retail buyers.
Throughout five days in June, more than 250 individual specialty retail buyers visited with OMA’s rep agencies and brands to preview new products, and merchandise assortments and place orders. Located in Colorado’s front range, the Summer Market Week was a draw for retailers to do business.
“This first market week underscored exactly what we’re trying to achieve with this alliance,” said Keith Reis, founding board member of OMA. “It’s offering ultimate convenience and efficiency for doing business. This is the busiest time of year for many outdoor retailers and when buying can be done with so many brands and agencies in one place and with minimal travel, our retail partners win.”
The Outdoor Market Alliance looks for new ways of doing things. In a classic pandemic pivot, the alliance was created from a need for space, with the founders forming a board and non-profit to ensure education, inclusivity and succession would be a shared focus. It serves as a regional outdoor industry hub.
Beyond sharing fresh showroom space, resources, knowledge, best practices and access to B2B platforms like NuORDER and Elastic Suite, the OMA supports community initiatives through its non-profit association. Each OMA agency commits time and monetary support to the environment, diversity and inclusivity in the outdoor markets.
A Winter Market Week is being planned for fall. Date for that show will be announced later.
The Outdoor Market Alliance is located at 11111 W. 6th Ave., in Lakewood, Colo.. For more information, visit www.outdoormarketalliance.org.
