Last year, Patagonia, REI, The North Face, and other major outdoor gear/apparel companies pulled out of the trade show in Utah. Utah is home to some of the United States’ most popular public lands, including Zion, Moab, Bryce Canyon, and Arches national parks. The governor of Utah, however, announced that he, in conjunction with the new federal administration, would seek to reverse certain public land designations (specifically Bears Ears National Monument) and decrease funding for the support of existing public land/parks. Outdoor retailers like Patagonia et al. took the opportunity to make a statement about the stewardship of public land by government regulatory/protective/funding practices by pulling their (high-profile) economic stake in the Utah trade show. The show brings in thousands of visitors to its host city, filling hotels and nearby restaurants, twice a year. It’s like a mini-Olympics (although with admittedly less preparation). It’s a desirable prospect for any city hoping for a quick boost to the local economy.
Outdoor Retailer responded to its patrons’ statements by “shopping” for a new location (because let’s face it, what kind of outdoor-related trade show would it be without Patagonia, REI, and North Face?). The show will take place in Denver starting January 2018, but this summer’s market (July 26-29 2017) is still set to happen in Salt Lake City. To prepare for next year, though, consider all your options and check out our thoughts on design patents/copyright protections for apparel, and design patents for wearable devices.
More related posts: Textile Patterns and Design Patents, Confusingly Similar, and Patenting Multi-Purpose Design Cues
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