A farewell to the Outdoor Retailers Trade Shows:

After two decades in Utah, the final Outdoor Retailer Summer Trade Show being held in Salt Lake City is leaving for Denver, Colorado. The change was a result of the strong opposition of the Outdoor Industry Association and the shows owner to the states backing of efforts to transfer control of public lands from federal to state control and to overturn or shrink the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments. The trade shows have had a major economic impact in Utah and will be missed, but a protest march on the capital by members of the association and an article in the Salt Lake Tribune reminding citizens that the Outdoor Industry meant $12 Billion for Utah last year and supported 110,000 Utah jobs seems to confuse trade show impacts with the impacts of the industry itself. The future of skiing, camping, fishing, hunting and visitation to Utah's national and state parks will be little affected by this trade show relocating to Colorado. It is unfortunate that the outdoor retailers decided to take their marbles and go home after Utah did not agree to their "do what we say or we'll shoot your dog" message. I don't remember voting for any of these people and unlike the people who hunt and fish and participate in many forms of outdoor recreation, I am not aware of any willingness from these businesses to help pay for the facilities and services that make their products so profitable - beyond obeying the tax laws. Many of the record number of visitors that are over running our national and state parks are wearing Pategonia products and buy and use many other trade show products, but those products do not contribute to the large and growing deferred maintenance problem the parks are dealing with. It's unfortunate that the Outdoor Retailers have withdrawn from the discussion of Utah's recreation future and the many Utah citizens who share their feelings could have used their support and contributions in discussions to come, but I haven't seen any sign that the beautiful Pategonia store on Park City's Main Street is planning to relocate. In any case -  "thanks for not shooting my dog".