Outdoor Retailer officially opened registration for its 2026 show, August 19–21, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. According to show organizers, this year marks a new era for the industry gathering, with the event anchored by an expanded Hosted Buyer program, a reimagined format, and the launch of the “Make It Yours” campaign, focused on connection, education, and discovery of new products.
Attendees can register here.
“Outdoor Retailer is evolving into a deeply collaborative platform, meeting stakeholders where they are and reflecting the industry’s future and its changing consumer,” said Lindsay Hubley, senior vice president, sports and outdoor division for Emerald, Outdoor Retailer’s parent company. “That means opening the door to new voices, new communities, and new ways for brands and retailers to connect in more meaningful, relevant ways.”
Designed to support independent specialty retailers, the expanded Hosted Buyer Program helps reduce financial barriers to attendance. Approved buyers and product developers may receive travel support, including airfare and hotel accommodations, enabling them to focus on building relationships and sourcing new products on the show floor.
Qualified retailers can apply for the program here:
https://outdoorretailer.com/attend/or-hosted-buyer-program/
The “Make It Yours” campaign, meanwhile, invites the outdoor community to help drive the future of the industry through collaboration, new ideas and shared experiences. Another key element of this year’s event is the Wild Reach initiative, which brings 150 creators on-site to produce live content and engage with exhibitors and attendees. A show floor layout features a mix of established brands and newer entrants.
In addition, the show includes Urban Outdoor Experiences, bringing outdoor activities into an urban setting at Theodore Wirth Regional Park, a 740-acre park just west of downtown.
And Outdoor Retailer will kick off the week with “Outdoor Next: Ideas That Move Us Forward,” its 2026 Industry Day program on August 19 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Designed as a forum for conversation and shared problem-solving, the half-day event convenes retailers, brands, media, and industry leaders for panels exploring forces shaping the outdoor sector, from shifting consumer behavior and economic pressures to emerging technologies and the evolving role of specialty retail.
Earlier that day, the Retail Playbook Lab provides a hands-on complement focused on practical strategies retailers can apply immediately. Designed as a working session, the lab bridges insight and execution, equipping attendees with tools to navigate today’s retail landscape.
