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Outdoor Retailer summer market in SLC

Posted at 10:23 PM, Aug 04, 2015
and last updated 2015-08-05 00:23:21-04

SALT LAKE CITY -- Whether you’re into camping, hiking or fishing, if it's done outdoors it will be on display in Salt Lake City this week.

The annual Outdoor Retailer Summer Market is taking place at the Salt Palace from Wednesday to Saturday.

Golden Harper, founder of Altra Footwear, will be in attendance. He always makes sure he has a bottle of H2O, not for thirst, but for showing off his brand of water resistant running and hiking shoes.

Harper said the summer market has changed their entire Logan-based business

"It was really our launch pad and to have people come from all over the world, to really our biggest show of the year, and for us logistically to have it here is a huge deal to us as a brand," Harper said.

Salt Lake City has been home to the Outdoor Retailers Summer Market since 1996. This year an estimated 27,000 manufacturers, retailers and suppliers will be in attendance, generating an estimated $25 million dollars for the state.

"Salt Lake City is a perfect location. The community is welcoming, you share the same passion for outdoors and recreation as we do, we've had a wonderful experience here," said spokeswoman Kate Lowery.

Many of these recreational fueled businesses will be showing off brand new products that aren't yet available in stores.

Tracy Thomas, of Kelly Slater GoPro Collection, said her products were designed for urban areas, but the company found a pleasantly unexpected market outside of the big cities.

"We found the people in the outdoor community really respond and respect the detail that goes into the design of our products so all the details and the padding and the protection is something that they need every day," Thomas said.

Just when you thought you've seen it all, this market will also continue to surprise you with innovation.

"This coffee box is the world's first outdoor coffee maker," said Jim Doan of Oxx. "Coffee is consumed everyday by everybody, right? For the first time a company like us has decided to bring coffee outside the home."