Nielsen, the organizer of the Outdoor Retailer show, is examinating possible new locations for the event in cooperation with the U.S. Outdoor industry Association (OIA). Apparently, the managers of the successful show, which has been hosted in the Salt Lake City's Salt Palace Convention Center since 1996, feel that the venue is no longer large enough to host the show. OR's head, Kenji Haroutunian, vice president of Nielsen Exhibitions, has pointed out that no less than 500 exhibitors at last year's OR Summer Market had to show in pavillions outside the building. Nielsen and OIA are now checking all possible options to solve the problem of the floor space, which has reached its limits in SLC. Nielsen has launched an online survey among exhibitors to check what would be the best solution for the show. The debate can be joined under www.outdoorretailer.com/collective-voice. The discussion will be moderated and supervised by Michael Hodgson, former president of Snews, the U.S. trade publication. Various venues are suggested including the current host, the Colorado Convention Center in Denver as well as various spots in California and Las Vegas. Insiders have indicated to us that a move to a larger fairgrounds might lead OR to merge with existing ski and bike shows in the U.S. in the winter and in the summer.

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