Industry Brands Show Staying Power on Day Two of Outdoor Retailer Winter Market as La Sportiva Celebrates 80 Years, Leki Honors its 60th Year and Gore-Tex Turns 50

April 8, 2008 - Source:

Media Contact: Jaclyn Bailey, CGPR
804-814-7787
Jaclyn@cgprpublicrelations.com

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (January 24, 2008) - A spirit of celebration filled day two of Outdoor Retailer Winter Market (ORWM), the industry's leading trade show, as outdoor brands such as La Sportiva, Leki and Gore showed off their longevity and latest products. Attendees participated in a "wedding ceremony" when pure silk and wool finally "tied the knot" celebrating the combination of the two fabrications. Celebrations continued beyond the show floor when Outdoor Retailer Winter Market partnered for the first time with the Avalaunch Festival (www.avalaunchfest.com) to benefit avalanche awareness and avalanche training centers, as well as the X Dance Action Sports Film Festival, a celebration of the action sports culture.

"Our outdoor industry community celebrates life and the outdoors on a daily basis," said Kenji Haroutunian, Outdoor Retailer show director. "We work hard to make sure this culture permeates the show on and off the show floor. From showcasing outdoor heritage brands along side new cutting-edge products to grass roots events and organizations, this year's Outdoor Retailer Winter Market truly encompasses the spirit of the outdoors and its bright future."

A number of brands showed their strong staying power at the 2008 ORWM by marking milestone anniversaries. La Sportiva, which has been manufacturing alpine mountaineering and climbing footwear for 80 years, introduced the Tango Prime, a high performance technical mixed climbing boot built with Primaloft(r) insulation. Leki, which started in founder Karl Lenhart's woodworking shop in 1948, marked its 60th anniversary with a limited edition ski pole and glove called Legend, as an "Icelandic Viking extraordinaire" roamed the show equipped with Leki poles. W. L. Gore & Associates is celebrating 50 years of innovation and marking the anniversary of Wilbert L. "Bill" and Genevieve Gore launching a business in the basement of their home.

While the latest in technical fabrics are being introduced at ORWM, two established brands celebrated a merger when Terramar held a wedding ceremony and reception to introduce a new base layer that unites 100% pure silk inner layer with 100% merino wool outer layer. Wool and silk "stood before" the officiating judge as ORWM attendees enjoyed the service and the champagne that followed.

To extend its celebrations beyond the show floor, Outdoor Retailer partnered with the Avalaunch Festival and the X Dance Action Sports Film Festival – both events that celebrate and support the essence of the outdoor industry. Through its partnership with the show, the Avalaunch Festival gains the outdoor community's support in order to create a collaborative social movement for the future of snow. The festival features Michael Franti & Spearhead and others for three nights to kick off the Avalaunch Festival Project at OR Winter Market 2008. The X Dance Festival, also supported by ORWM, features action sport filmmakers, top athletes and cutting-edge bands to celebrate action sports culture.

About Outdoor Retailer
Outdoor Retailer, produced by the Nielsen Sports Group division of Nielsen Business Media, is the leading outdoor industry business-to-business trade event, bringing together top manufacturers, retailers, industry advocates and media to conduct the business of the recreational outdoors. Currently in its 26th successful year, OR gathers approximately 40,000 attendees on a semi-annual basis for both Fall/Winter/Holiday and Spring/Summer markets. The Nielsen Sports Group, headquartered in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., and its predecessor companies have been in the exposition and conference business for over 35 years.