Outdoor Market Alliance to Host Second Footwear Showcase with Growing Demand

June 3, 2024

Denver’s Outdoor and Active Industry Hub Responds to Success of First Footwear Showcase, Expands Market Event to Nearly 80 Shoe Brands

June 3, 2024 – LAKEWOOD, CO /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – Outdoor Market Alliance (OMA), a collective of 25 independent sales and marketing agencies representing over 175 different brands in the outdoor and active lifestyle markets, is hosting its second Footwear Showcase, to be held Tuesday and Wednesday, July 23rd and 24th, 2024.

Based on the success of its first Footwear Showcase in February, the OMA is now welcoming nearly twice as many shoe brands into their space for a two-day market event for retail buyers. Regional Rockies retailers can register to join the OMA at its Denver headquarters over the course of two days to see new and in-line footwear from over 75 footwear brands. Participating brands include those represented by sales groups within the OMA, as well as other notable footwear brands interested in reaching the shelves of specialty retailers who offer a mix of outdoor, active, and casual footwear.

“Our market weeks are now proven to be both efficient and preferred by many of our Rockies-based retail buyers, and we saw an emerging need for a footwear-specific buying marketplace here in the Rockies,” said Steve Copeland, president and founding board member of OMA. “The first one sold out at 45 brands, so we’ve welcomed almost twice as many brands and have sold out again, which speaks volumes about the market need. We are excited to see such rapid growth and to be the host of what we expect will be a twice-annual event to support the market. And most of all, supporting the OMA’s founding vision of collaboration as we connect a wider reach of regional buyers with national and notable footwear brands.”

The OMA will also host its next seasonal Market Week on June 17th-21st, which offers buyers the convenience of discovering and selecting their retail assortments in one regional hub over one week in one convenient location. It will also host its fifth Media Show on July 17th and 18th, where a growing number of editors and journalists are joining to preview new products and discover new stories from outdoor and active lifestyle brands, all onsite at OMA’s Denver hub.

Space for the OMA Footwear Showcase is limited, and interested retailers can register here.

“Our vision in creating the OMA was to find new ways of doing business,” added Copeland. “Extending our market weeks for greater convenience, our partnership with Elastic Suite, and our growing media shows are all amazing examples of seeing that vision actualized. Our retail buyers love the convenience of market weeks that fit their schedule without extensive travel, and this model has been really well received. Buyers also know we’re here year-round and can do business at the OMA any day of the year. Adding these footwear showcases to the growing demand for efficient, regional marketplaces just seemed to make sense, and seeing it double from one show to the next in a few short months highlights the demand for these regional market events.”

The Outdoor Market Alliance is located at 11111 West 6th Avenue in Lakewood, Colorado. For more information and to view brands in residence, visit www.outdoormarketalliance.org.

About Outdoor Market Alliance

Outdoor Market Alliance is a collective of 25 independent sales and marketing agencies representing over 175 different brands in the outdoor, active lifestyle, resort, run and bike markets in the Rockies. Located in Lakewood, Colorado, the OMA physical location offers 32,000 square feet of showroom and community meeting space. OMA’s mission is two-fold: to elevate the experience for its brand partners and retailers through a fresh showroom venue, while acting responsibly to support community initiatives through its non-profit association. Each OMA agency commits time and monetary support to the environment, diversity and inclusivity in the outdoor markets. Learn more at www.outdoormarketalliance.org

PHOTO CREDIT: Evan Dudley, Exact Change