OTS 2021 MOVES TO LIVERPOOL
We are pleased to announce that the Outdoor Trade Show (OTS) event will move to a new home in 2021 at Exhibition Centre Liverpool, from Tuesday 29th June to Thursday 1st July. The show will follow the week after OutDoor by ISPO (20th – 23rd June 2021).
OTS’ home for the past two years, EventCity, will close by 31st March 2021 and plans for the construction of the new facility have been withdrawn due to the economic climate, especially in the events and hospitality sectors.
Following the news of the closure, the organisers, immediately researched a suitable alternative venue which ensures the continuity of the success the show has had since the move to the North West in 2018. The key priorities were to keep the show in the North West, which is a must for visitors and exhibitors alike, at a venue that offers flexible space, modern facilities and is within easy reach by public transport and the motorway networks.
Commenting on the 2021 show, Marta Williams, OTS organiser, said: ‘Once we heard the news of EventCity closing its doors, we were obviously disappointed, as it has been a great venue over the past two years, and we had to move quickly to find a replacement venue that would work for the show. We were impressed by Exhibition Centre Liverpool – with facilities that exceed those in Manchester, a very accommodating team, that worked with us to ensure we could keep the same rates for our exhibitors – there was no questions that this was the right location to make the 2021 event a success following the difficult times we all have had this year.
Our main priority now is to work with our exhibitors to allocate suitable space in the halls and release the floor plan to encourage new bookings as soon as possible. Our team of contractors that we have been working with for over 10 years will continue to support the show and offer exhibitors their familiar services.’
Liverpool is easy to reach from all parts of the UK and beyond – just 45 minutes from Manchester by road or train and just over two hours from London. The venue is also under two hours drive from Cumbria. Liverpool Airport is just 30 minutes by bus and the Port of Liverpool has regular ferries to Belfast, Dublin and the Isle of Man.
Exhibition Centre Liverpool ticks all the boxes and offers a first-class new home for OTS. The 8,100sqm exhibition venue has an enviable location on the banks of the River Mersey and Liverpool’s world heritage waterfront. The £65m venue was opened just five years ago and is only 5 minutes’ walk from Liverpool’s Royal Albert Dock and the city centre with 658 hotels rooms on site.
OTS 2020 has a record number of early bookings, with 110 exhibitors signed up before the show was postponed to next year. The 2021 show has already attracted a great mixture of brands and the new climbing area will be a fantastic feature in the show with the Moon Board. The concourse at the exhibition centre offers an excellent area overlooking the River Mersey for activities such as morning yoga, to the OTS social and the location of the venue is ideal for water sport brands to get involved in the show next year.
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
Damon Street – Exxel Outdoors, European General Manager
Read MoreOTS was a fantastic show. We had back to back appointments and the quality of buyers attending was spot on. Aside from it being a great opportunity to get in front of people, it was great to see the trade working together and Kelty and Sierra Designs will definitely be back in 2023.”
Steve Walton – Northcol, Sales Agent
Read MoreOTS provided yet again a great opportunity to reach our current customer base and speak to new customers alike. The show felt busier than normal and was a fantastic meeting place to discuss the current state of the trade. Liverpool is a great location. We will be back next year for sure.
Chris King – Ardblair Sports, Head of Sales
Read MoreFor AKU and LEKI, ASI had the ideal balance of number and quality of meetings with retailers and media. After many years, it feels like the outdoor industry has found the right balance of limiting the choice of market format – shows, showrooms and shop visits - in order to make OTS the success it is.
Richard Payne – Páramo, Commercial Director
Read MoreMany thanks to all those involved in the organisation of this year's event. It was fantastic to welcome everyone to our stand, great to meet new faces and re-connect with others. Thank you to all those who joined us in celebrating 30 years of Páramo by welcoming Craeciones Miquelina into our newly formed employee-owned group. Here is to the next 30 years!
Chris Gordon – Lyon Equipment, Marketing Manager
Read MoreAs usual the OTS show was a busy and productive show for us, the earlier time brought it inside the deadlines for our key brands and make the show a great place for final buyer presentations and gave customers a chance to make final range decisions.
Lee Taylor – The Brandery, Sales Director
Read MoreWith so many brands under one roof, all showing tomorrow's new products, why would you make the mistake of not being at the outdoor trade show?
Ian Berry – DMM, Sales Manager
Read MoreOTS is an excellent opportunity to see valued customers in a well organised and attractive venue. It's quickly become an important date in our sales calendar.
Matt Moore – Proagencies, Sales
Read MoreOTS has grown into a must attend event for brands and buyers, quality all round from the event organisation, brands and buyers, see you next year!
Gordon Way – Ultra Sport EU, MD
Read MoreReally happy that we exhibited this year and we will certainly be back.
Kieron MacKenzie – New Heights, Managing Director
Read MoreOTS delivered another great show which attracted a great mix of retailers and brands making the event unmissable.
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.
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!
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!
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.”
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. 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!