Industry Events & Associations

A list of major tradeshows, events, associations, and groups

Industry Events & Tradeshows

  • Connect by Grassroots
    • Spring 2026: Reno, NV June 8, 2026 → June 11, 2026
    • Fall 2026: Kansas City, MO November 9, 2026 → November 12, 2026
    • Spring 2027: Oklahoma City, OK June 12, 2027 → June 15, 2027
    • Fall 2027: Omaha, NE November 8, 2027 → November 11, 2027
    • Spring 2028: Oklahoma City, OK June 10, 2028 → June 13, 2028
    • Fall 2028: Omaha, NE November 9, 2028 → November 12, 2028
    • Spring 2029: Oklahoma City, OK June 16, 2029 → June 19, 2029
    • Fall 2029: Omaha, NE November 5, 2029 → November 8, 2029
  • Overland Expo
    • West 2026: Flagstaff, AZ May 15, 2026 → May 17, 2026
    • PNW 2026: Redmond, OR June 26, 2026 → June 28, 2026
    • MTN West 2026: Loveland, CO August 21, 2026 → August 23, 2026
    • East 2026: Arrington, VA Fall 2026
  • PCT Days
    • Cascade Locks, OR August 14, 2026 → August 15, 2026
  • Functional Fabrics Fair
    • Orlando, FL January 21, 2026 → January 22, 2026
    • Portland, OR April 7, 2026 → April 9, 2026
    • New York, NY July 7, 2026 → July 9, 2026
  • Traffic Show
    • June 3, 2026 → June 4, 2026
    • October 28, 2026 → October 29, 2026
  • Surf Expo
    • Orlando, FL January 7, 2026 → January 9, 2026
 

Industry Association & Groups:

  • Founded Outdoors - a community of 300+ outdoor entrepreneurs at all different stages. Join us if you are currently building an outdoor recreation company or are serious about starting one in the next six months. Our Community is on Slack. Every week we host a virtual Peer Group, Workshop, Office Hour or Fireside Chat. Free to join.
  • REI Path Ahead Ventures - REI Co-op's Path Ahead Ventures offers full-spectrum support to startups owned and led by Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x and Asian American and Pacific Islander people.
  • Project Respect Outdoors (PRO) - a coalition of women and allies on a mission to bring respect into the outdoor industry
  • Outdoor Grassroots Alliance - an organization dedicated to the health and growth of the specialty outdoor retail industry (retailer-focused)
  • San Diego Sport Innovators - SDSI is for all businesses and individuals interested in the Sports, Active Lifestyle and Healthy living space. From membership benefits to mentoring programs there's many ways to get involved.
 

Leadership development opportunities:

  • WildGift - a program for environmental and social entrepreneurs
  • Love is King - public land and freshwater conservation leadership program
  • The Futurist Project - seeks to prepare, unite and amplify the voice of the next generation of leaders in the outdoor industry
 

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