“2021 Trade Show Hits the Mark”
OTS 2021 marked a milestone in the post pandemic recovery of the UK outdoor trade. Probably the first UK trade show event to go ahead as the country emerges from Covid restrictions, OTS went ahead last week over three days (29th June – 1st July) at the Exhibition Centre, Liverpool. The new modern venue on Liverpool waterfront proved to be popular with exhibitors and visitors alike with the vibrant atmosphere at the show proving that everyone is keen to engage ‘face to face’ again.

With 110 exhibitors and a huge variety of product ranges to see, buyers from the major multiples and leading independents made the effort to exploit the opportunity to seek out new products, place forward orders and network with friends and colleagues from the trade.

At the show, the winners of the 2021 UK Outdoor Industry Awards were presented with their trophies and the Awards Display area proved a popular feature with visitors. The Sustainability Breakfast sponsored by Rab on Wednesday morning was oversubscribed by delegates eager to learn more about the sustainability initiatives from brands such as Rab as well as organisations including the BMC, OIA, and the EOG.
Exhibitors and visitors were unanimous in praising the effectiveness of the show and welcomed the return to normality.
ABOUT THE OUTDOOR TRADESHOW
The Outdoor Trade Show (OTS) is the UK's only large scale outdoor sport and leisure focused trade show.
The show is a fantastic opportunity for retailers, big and small, to see the latest products and designs for the coming seasons from all the top brands from:
Apparel
Footwear
Backpacks & Accessories
Climbing & Mountaineering Equipment
Watersports Clothing & Equipment
Bushcraft & Survival Equipment
Adventure Travel Products
Camping & Expedition Equipment
Adventure Tourism Providers
Who should visit the Outdoor Trade Show?
With a mix of different brands and product ranges OTS will interest retailers and buyers who specialise in outdoor sports, leisure and adventure travel products.
Independent Retailers
Buyers of Multiple Retailers
Specialist Retailers
The show also appeals to many organisations from across the outdoor industries that sit outside the manufacturing, retail and distribution sectors.
If your company buys any outdoor or adventure travel products for its operation, OTS is the perfect platform to find the latest and innovative products, and to meet key contacts.
Outdoor Activity & Education Providers
Rescue Teams
Holiday Park Providers & Camp Sites
Work At Height Companies & Operatives
Adventure Tourism Providers
Governing Bodies, Charities & Associations
Who should exhibit at the Outdoor Trade Show?
If your business specialises in the manufacturing or distribution of apparel or equipment for the outdoor sports, leisure and adventure travel markets then attending OTS is a must.
Click the links below to find out more or get in touch!
TESTIMONIALS
What Our Clients Say About Us
Michael Hughes – Giraffe International Ltd., Sales Director
Read MoreIt was great to make our debut at OTS and it was great to have some normality back, meeting people who love the outdoor industry as much as we do. Liverpool was a fantastic location for the show and we can't wait to return next year!
Ronan Corrigan – Arktis Endurance Textiles Ltd., Managing Director
Read More"OTS was the first "post-COVID" trip out for Arktis and it was a great success, great to be back out and about again! Hopefully see everyone next year!"
Rich Portman Smith – Nikwax, Retail Marketing Manager
Read MoreWe enjoyed being back at OTS this year. The venue was excellent, a great location with good restaurants and accommodation close by. Obviously not everyone was able to attend due to Covid but those that met with us were very happy to be there, it was good to see visitors and other brands getting back to some normality finally. Roll on 2022!!
John Blundell – Terra Nova, Sales Director
Read MoreFantastic to meet fellow exhibitors and importantly customers "face to face" after such a long time. Extremely positive meetings and a good buzz about the Outdoor market going forward.
Ian Clark – Baltic Lifejackets, Managing Director
Read MoreFirst show for 18 months, and for us as a Brand it was great to be back, the quality of the visitors and location excelled in difficult times.
Benjamin Dyl – Consigned, Sales Manager
Read MoreOTS was our first face to face exhibition since Pre Covid so we were excited to get back in front of people. We had a good response to our product ranges and managed to pick up some interesting accounts some of which we have already converted. While the show was relatively quiet this time the quality of retailers that were at the show made up for the lower footfall.
Sarah Ogilvie – Ordnance Survey, Lead Buyer
Read MoreAn excellent and essential trade show for the UK outdoor Industry.
Karl Holmes – Simply Running Ltd, Managing Director
Read MoreExcellent Show.
Neil Yoxall – Silva Ltd, National Accounts Manager
Read MoreThe show was a success for Silva, we had meetings with National accounts and high quality Independents and opened new accounts. We had no idea what to expect due to Covid and the new venue. But for us it was a great show and venue and we will be returning. Thank you to the organisers, brands, distributors and customers for making it a great event for Silva.
Martin Chester, Mountain Guide & Research Consultant
Read MoreA great event - so nice to be able to catch up with everyone in one go (safely) after all this time!
Simon Clark – Taunton Leisure, MD
Read MoreAll credit to the organisers for making it possible for this event to go ahead this year. Going forward i hope the event expands with more support and a better effort from some suppliers and retailers alike and also to add an element of fun from things like climbing comps etc. to help provide some entertainment and a more lasting memory of the show.
Vicky Dean – Hirst Footwear, Business Development Manager
Read MoreFantastic opportunity to explore the potential brands and how it could be incorporated into our business moving forwards. Loved being able to speak to real people face to face!
Sam Fernando – Keela
Read More“Once again, OTS, the Outdoors Trade Show, showed its grit and resilience by leading the industry and the whole country in hosting one of the first in-person shows since the Pandemic started. Located at the outstanding Liverpool waterfront, the show was dynamic and positive, with a real buzz in the aisles. Forget the footie, OTS has come home.”
Dylan Jones – Crib Goch Outdoor
Read More“Just a little thanks you for OTS this year. I attended all 3 days there. Feedback on location was top notch, brilliant hotels, reasonable and plenty things to do in the evening. Well worth the trip.”
Dan Pearson – COO, Ultralight Outdoor Gear Ltd
Read MoreA cracking selection of brands on show given the current pandemic. It was brilliant to finally be able to meet people face to face, we’ve really missed that over the past 18 months. Many thanks to those brands who attended, we greatly appreciated their efforts.
Ali Allen – Owner, The Walking Hub
Read More“Fantastic venue in Liverpool docks. Really friendly atmosphere with quality exhibits representing both large and small brands. Loved the sustainability breakfast, vegan food and eco- friendly approach. Very well organised. Well done!”
Sonia Prior – Sales Director, Bradshaw Taylor
Read More“I’m delighted to report that Bradshaw Taylor enjoyed a productive show across all brands. There were sufficient buyers from both key accounts and independent retailers to keep us busy throughout the show and it was great to experience an optimistic outdoor industry, despite the pandemic. The team enjoyed positive discussions with customers seeking industry partners to enable them to grow their business and thankfully Bradshaw Taylor offers some exciting new and great staple brand alternatives. Generally, there was a good vibe at the show, everyone seemed delighted to be back together as an industry again – Big thanks to the OIA and MCS for persevering and making it happen!
Damon Street – European General Manager Exxel Outdoors
Read More“OTS was a fantastic show. We had back to back appointments and the quality of buyers attending was clear. Aside from it being a great opportunity to get back in front of people it was great to see the camaraderie and collective support in the industry. Kelty and Sierra Designs will definitely be back in 2022.”
Mark Wood, Sports Division Sales Manager at Scott Sports
Read More“A great show was put on in difficult times and appreciate the time, effort and work you must have put in to make it happen. The venue, quality of visitors and general ‘ambiance’ exceeded our expectations and came away from the show with smiles on our faces, some normality back in our lives and some new retailers to work with.”