Outdoor Retailer Debuts Wild Reach Initiative

OR with the announcement today:

This August, Outdoor Retailer, the national gathering for the U.S. outdoor industry, will debut the Wild Reach Initiative, a program embedding 150 outdoor-focused creators directly into the event. Designed for a moment when audiences are increasingly tuning out automated content, the initiative brings creators and brands together on the show floor to capture real experiences, real reactions, and real stories as they unfold.

At a time when audiences are craving authenticity, this platform transforms the trade show floor into a dynamic stage where creators and brands collaborate to capture raw, unscripted moments. From real-time reactions to compelling stories, influencers bring energy, engagement, and a human touch that resonates deeply with audiences, making every interaction meaningful.

Aside from me wanting to make a snarky comment on the idea of putting the words ‘influencers’ and ‘authenticity’ into the same sentence I actually think this is a really fun and smart idea. Trade show are strugglingly for attendance and brands are pulling out their investments. If now the “new media crowd” is invited, and courted, and welcome to visit these booths and share the new products with their audiences this could create a very interesting amplification that might be enticing for brands to continue to invest into these events and ensure their survival. Smart idea.