Preview: Outdoor Trade Show 2023, June 13-15 In Liverpool, UK
OTS is now entering its 17th year and is firmly established as a key event for the UK outdoor trade. Like last year, the show will be held at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool, with the venue open Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am till 6pm, and on the third and last day, from 9am to 3pm. Over 130 exhibitors have booked over 8,000 square metres of exhibition space making this year’s show the largest OTS ever. Amongst the exhibitors are 30 brands new to the show.
Last year 829 visitors attended across the three days, a 17% increase on the previous year. Likewise, exhibitor space was increased by 2,000 square meters to accommodate the 125 exhibitor stands at the show.
OTS has a new collaboration with the Running Industry Alliance (RIA). This will see the creation of a dedicated 300 sq. metres “Trail Running Area” within the show for specialist trail running brands. This initiative has attracted new brands and will broaden the retail audience.
After the show closes at 6pm, on the first evening, the halls will remain open for networking and the venue bars will also remain open for drinks in the hall. Lowa, Keela, Hydroflask, Osprey, Running Industry Alliance, Ardbair and Asolo will be holding booth parties.
The OTS Sustainability Breakfast sponsored by RAB will take place on the second day of the show in the Atrium of the Exhibition Centre from 7.30am – 8.50am. It will be an opportunity for retailers, brands and media to hear from industry experts about sustainability. This complimentary and informal event will start with a networking breakfast, followed by speaker presentations. These start at 7.50am with Equip Outdoor Technologies’ Debbie Read on Material Facts, then from. 8.00am – 8.15am Giulio Piccin of Aku on Carbon Footprint, 8.15am – 8.30am Etta Lathan-Pons and Roose Virkkunen of Waterbear on turning our collective mission into a movement, 8.30am – 8.40am Dr. Jane Turnbull, EOG, on circularity in the outdoor industry and then finishing with a Q&A session.
On Wednesday from 7.00pm, the OTS Social will take place at the Revolucion de Cuba in the Albert Dock. This will also be a celebration of the evening’s sponsor’s Lyon Equipment’s 50th anniversary. First up will be the announcement of the finalists of the OIA UK Outdoor Industry Awards. This will be followed by a buffet dinner and an open bar till midnight.
The finalists of the UK Outdoor Industry Awards will be announced on the second day of the show at the evening OTS Social. The 10 award categories are Clothing, Sleeping, Footwear, Climbing Equipment, Backpacks/Travel Luggage/Bags, Tents, Camping Equipment, Tech Accessories, Accessories and new for this year Sustainability. An expert panel of Judges from the industry will decide on the finalists. The Awards Display area at the show is well worth a visit with over 90 products on display.
With the Exhibition Centre Liverpool being adjacent to Liverpool’s main through road, it is perfectly placed for arriving by car with the UK motorway network just 20 minutes away. The nearest car park is the Waterfront adjacent to the exhibition centre. The nearest train station is Liverpool Lime Street, a short taxi- or bus-ride away, and from there direct services take little over two hours to London. The nearest airport is John Lennon and whilst Manchester International airport is only 45 minutes away. With more than 6,000 bedrooms within walking distance of Exhibition Centre Liverpool there is accommodation for every budget. Closest is the new Pullman hotel which is integrated into Exhibition Centre and has 216 rooms, a restaurant, bar, meeting rooms and a gym.
OTS has grown into a must attend event for brands and buyers. With so many brands under one roof, all exhibiting the latest new products, if you’re part of the UK Outdoor community you need to be there.
