by Alicia MacLeay
We’ll continue our post-OR coverage this week, as we still have some gear to point out to you. In the coming months, you’ll also see some of that gear (and other pieces) tested by Trailspace.
In the meantime, here are some personal post-OR thoughts.
Ultra-OR
Several companies gave out pedometers to track your mileage and raise money for charity. This is a nice idea (actually, I did it on my own at winter market).
I picked up a pedometer from Montrail at the beginning of Day One (they didn’t have them for Day Zero/Open Air Demo). Counting only walking around inside the Salt Palace, I covered 15.84 miles in four days. That’s nearly four miles a day. Hiking and running outside before and after the show, I added another 25 miles. Hey, OR week could be called an ultra!
Never Buy Before
Never ever buy any gear, unless absolutely necessary, immediately before heading to OR. You will see something better or improved and risk buyer’s remorse, becoming disappointed in what you oh so happily just purchased days or weeks ago.
Example 1.
I really like the Petzl e+Lite. I’ve had one for years, and just ordered another for my son. Lo and behold, Petzl showed me an e+Lite, now with a whistle on the strap. It’s shipping now. I could have bought one for half price at the Petzl booth, but already had the old one coming in the mail. It’s okay, I didn’t really need an extra whistle. Still, I keep thinking about it.
Example 2.
My toddler has a small Klean Kanteen with sippy spout. My one gripe has been that there was no loop or handle to fasten it via a carabiner to our kid carrier. So I bought a different brand's stainless steel toddler bottle with plastic loop at the REI in SLC just days before the show. It leaked on my spouse.
Lo and behold, two days later Klean Kanteen showed me their new sport/loop combo top. Problem solved. They were kind enough to give me one immediately, along with a snazzy red bottle, which we put to immediate use.
Copycats
As a member of the working media I get a special sticker on my badge that allows me to take photos (many of which you've seen here). I typically ask company reps for permission first, but occasionally take pictures while wandering the aisles.
At this show, I twice had reps approach while I was taking pictures to check out my credentials (a first ever!). The Patagonia woman asked quite nicely, explaining they’d been having problems with unauthorized photo taking. Another company’s rep just shouted, “you can’t take pictures!” Oh, wait you can, she backtracked, after realizing I had just met with their marketing department.
I understand why Patagonia and others must protect their property from being copied, especially products that haven’t even reached market yet. That’s understandable.
Here’s the odd part. Once it’s known that I’m from the media and presumably don’t have nefarious motives to make counterfeit jackets or packs, it’s suddenly okay for me to take pictures, which I can then post on this blog, for anyone to view.
So, are copycats just uninterested in authorized photos on outdoor gear sites?
Publicity = Info
I’m repeatedly surprised by companies that spend loads of money to go to OR, set up booths, and publicize themselves in advance (oh the many e-mails and phone calls), yet don’t do something as simple as upload a PDF with images and specs to the OR press site, or have a pres kit on a USB stick available.
OR exhibitors, if you have a press kit or other info, please post or share it once that info goes public, or tell us where to find it. You may just find some of your products featured here. Yes, I can look for your PR contact's e-mail address and then request that info and wait for them to find time to send it to me, but should there really be that much legwork to learn more about you and your cool gear?
Legitimate reasons to hold back info are rare. So, unless you've got state secrets, get your info out there, otherwise we won’t know. On the other side, thank you to the many great PR reps who make it easy for me to find their info.
The Show
The show felt quieter from the outset, as might be expected with the economy, but many companies and PR folks assured me they were still quite busy (though would they tell me if they weren’t?).
While attendance over the four days was down, the people who were there seemed focused and busy. This time around, there was space to walk in the hallways and to and from the bathrooms. It can be nice not to have to maneuver my way down the aisles.
But, the loss is the absence of small, innovative, unique companies that didn’t make the show. For better and for worse, the Salt Palace was a bit less bloated. I didn't miss the extra fat, but I did miss discovering some more small unknowns.
