Patagonia boycotts Outdoor Retailing over conservation feud

By

Edina Sultanik

Published
Feb 10, 2017

Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard has announced plans to pull the brand out of Utah’s Outdoor Retailer trade show, one of the United States’ biggest outdoor industry trade shows that takes place in Salt Lake City bi-annually.

 The announcement comes following Utah Governor Herbert’s plan to sue the US federal government to reverse the recent protection of Bears Ears National Monument, a Native American archaeological site, and 1.35 million acres of public land that are a destination for mountain climbers from all over the world, that was established by President Obama in his final days as president.

 “The Governor has spent most of his time in office trying to rip taxpayer-owned lands out from under us and hand them over to drilling and mining companies,” Chouinard says in a recent Op Ed piece.

Chouinard writes, “Governor Herbert… should show the outdoor industry he wants our business—and that he supports thousands of his constituents of all political persuasions who work in jobs supported by recreation on public lands.”
 
Chouinard has expressed his love for the state of Utah and all the outdoor opportunities the state has to offer enthusiasts like himself.  He continues that he would be happy to return to Utah if the Governor lends his support to the outdoor industry.  “We love Utah, but Patagonia’s choice to return for future shows will depend on the Governor’s actions. I’m sure other states will happily compete for the show by promoting public lands conservation.”
                                 
Organizers of the Outdoor Retailer show, which according to the organizers bring at least 45,000 visitors and $40 million annually to the state's economy, are reportedly not renewing their contract with Utah’s Salt Palace Convention Center for the 2018 shows, and are soliciting proposals for a possible new location.