in·er·tia /i?n?rSH?/ definition-???a tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged. A few years ago, my wife and sister wanted to do an “untraditional” Thanksgiving Dinner.??They just wanted to change things up…. It did not happen. Each person in our family said…That is a great idea, but I want us to still make (Insert each person’s favorite Thanksgiving dish) (as an aside my wife makes a fantastic Sweet Potato Pie with Jack Daniels and a Pecan Crumble on top that is almost desert that was my personal keeper). Unsurprisingly……Everyone had their own favorite keeper dish, and we ended up having the traditional Butler Family Thanksgiving Dinner. How does this apply to tradeshows and a national gathering in the Outdoor space? No one stakeholder seems willing to give up their favorite dish. Retailers and Vendors alike crave the efficiency of the Grassroots and Regional Shows. For existing relationships, these events have measurable metrics in appointment hours and orders booked that create an easily justifiable budget and time expenditure. HOWEVER Retailers want/NEED to see new products from new vendors. Vendors want/NEED to prospect new retailers. Absent a compromise among the stakeholders regarding dates and show content, a national tradeshow will only occur if one stakeholder is willing to take on the risk and financial burden of organizing it independently. I do not believe the "go it alone" approach will work. Selfishly, I want a national show for the cross pollination of ideas and perspectives. I believe this is beneficial to the entire outdoor ecosystem. Presently each segment lives in its own world with its own biases and beliefs that are rarely challenged. The cost of not having a national show is not easily quantifiable.??There is a loss from the introductions that never take place, the simple misunderstandings resolved and the passion that is not transmitted because there are no face-to-face meetings. Prospecting and collaborating with new retailers and vendors will grow the industry. Overcoming the inertia will only get harder. Andy Welling Peter Sachs Gabe Maier Todd Frank Wes Allen Jeff Turner #Paddlesports #Outdoor
June and November show dates are irrational for any national gathering that hopes to convene the entirety of the Outdoor Industry. Much is yet to be seen on whether or not we ever see an event the likes of Outdoor Retailer circa 2015 come back on the scene, but this much seems clear to me: without moving dates, no one is getting much of an opportunity to find out. As Sean Smith at Outdoor Retailer said on?Rock Fight?earlier this week, we all have our unique lens. The following is an accounting of mine to add to the cacophony. #outdoorshows #outdoorindustry #outdoorspecialty https://lnkd.in/g6wFmchj
