Once again we’re getting revved up for Outdoor Retailer, and since our collection of all the hip and happening events was so popular last time around, we figured we’d do it again! Keep checking back as we’ll be updating leading up to the show. And if you’ve got something that should be on here, track us down at @undersolen or leave a comment on this post. (PS: yes, that is a Swedish flag made out of backpacks at the winter show… We’re hoping it makes an appearance again this time around!)
Ongoing
Conservation Alliance Sale
WHAT: Tons of Conservation Alliance member companies have sweet gear up for sale, with part or all of the proceeds benefiting the Alliance. You can check out the full list of offerings over on the Conservation Alliance site.
WHERE: All over!
Help Save Elephants! And Win Gear!
WHAT: Elephants are being killed by poachers at a rate of 10 percent per year. With just 470,000 elephants left in the world, it means that in just a few years we might lose our wild elephant populations. So, this winter, the Epicocity Project is embarking on a forensic biology expedition to the remote jungle of the Democratic Republic of Congo with the goal of saving wild elephants from the illegal ivory trade.
Take Action right here at OR!
1. Become a Fan of the Elephant Ivory Project on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/elephantivoryproject
2. Donate to the cause! Every little bit helps, and every single dollar goes directly to our cause — whether it’s $5 or $50.
WHERE: Visit one of these three booths and drop off your donation and a business card in the box:
Osprey Packs, Booth # 5010
Mountain Khakis, Booth # 34181
Adventure Medical Kit, Booth # 13019
AlpineAire Foods, Booth # 140
WHEN: If you need some extra incentives to take action, we’ve got some sweet gear up for grabs. On Day 3, August 5, we’ll pick 2 lucky people to win two awesome prize packages, including an Osprey Packs Raptor 6 Hydration Pack with Mountain Khakis, an Adventure Medical Kits First Aid Kit and some snacks from AlpineAire! So c’mon! Save some elephants today!
Monday
National Geographic Monster Fish: Jungle Catfish TV Premiere
WHAT: The Epicocity Project teamed up with Monster Fish man Zeb Hogan to explore a forbidding 400-mile-long river: the Rio Roosevelt. They’ll have to navigate Class V rapids, avoid potentially violent tribesmen and survive in one of the most unforgiving places on the planet. The team hopes to find giant piranhas, painted catfish and perhaps even a new species of fish unknown to science.
WHERE: Lumpys 145 W Pierpont Ave
WHEN: Monday, August 2, 8pm
Tuesday
Moving Comfort Smoothie Bar
WHAT: In celebration of fit and powerful women, Moving Comfort is serving fruit smoothies — a refreshing treat following a pre-show run or something healthy to start the day.
WHERE: Moving Comfort Booth # 36149
WHEN: Tuesday, August 3 and Wednesday, August 4, 9-11 am
Happy Hour with Arc’teryx and the Conservation Alliance
WHAT: Come raise a glass to celebrate conservation! Buy a $3 raffle ticket while you’re there and be entered to win a sweet Arc’teryx jacket! All proceeds support the Conservation Alliance.
WHERE: Arc’teryx Booth #1019
WHEN: Tuesday, August 3, 4 PM
Waterkeeper Alliance/ Save Our Gulf Happy Hour
WHAT: Beer and a limited sale of the new Forge Pro at $20/pair. All proceeds to Waterkeeper Alliance/Save Our Gulf.
WHERE: Teva booth #7001
WHEN: Tuesday, August 3, 4–6 pm
Sierra Designs Revival Pack Party
WHAT: Sierra Designs is launching a new line of technical backpacks at ORSM 2010. To celebrate, we’re giving away a trip for two to Ecuador with international guide service Alaska Mountain Guides. Stop by, grab a beer served in a custom made Sierra Designs pint glass, and enter for your chance to win SD swag, a new SD backpack, or our grand prize Ecuadorian adventure. You must be present to win.
WHERE: Sierra Designs booth # 26036
WHEN: Tuesday August 4, 4-6pm
Keen SP11 Launch Party
WHAT: What’s bright and fun, with a small footprint and big social impact? Come party with KEEN to find out the answer and kick off our biggest giving effort yet. Drinks + food!
WHERE: KEEN booth #31183w
WHEN: Tuesday August 3, 5-6pm
Outdoor Retailer Industry Party: Taco Tuesday + Merrell Beach Volleyball Challenge
WHAT: Briggs & Riley Travelware, Brooks Range, CamelBak, Green Guru Gear, Hi-Tec, ITW Nexus Global, Merrell, Outside Magazine and Patagonia are all hitting the sand in this benefit volleyball game for the National Park Foundation. The game is in honor of Yellowstone’s 138th birthday, so study up on your National Park trivia, as there will be plenty of prizes to give away.
WHERE: Pierpont Avenue, which is being turned into a beach volleyball court
WHEN: Tuesday August 3, 6-8pm
Wednesday
Keep It Wild: Take Action for Conservation!
WHAT: We all know that if we want to get wild, we’ve got to protect our playground. So visit eight member company booths to take action on behalf of a Conservation Alliance grantee. Take action at all eight booths, have your Keep It Wild passport stamped and be entered to win a fabulous prize package! Click here for details.
WHERE: All over!
WHEN: All day Wednesday, August 4th
The Conservation Alliance Breakfast: A Talk by Historian Douglas Brinkley
WHAT: I know, I know, 7 a.m. comes early, but mark your calendars for this event. Arrive tired and leave inspired! Click here for details.
WHERE: The Marriott
WHEN: Wednesday, August 4th, 7-8:50 am
Conservation Alliance Fundraiser
WHAT: Conservation Alliance Happy Hour with Outdoor Industry All Star Band. Purchase KEEN product to raise money for the CA. Enter to win an ultimate gear package including a $500 AMEX gift card to travel to the HybridLife destination of your choice.
WHERE: KEEN Booth # 31183w
WHEN: Wednesday, August 4, 4:30 pm
Chaco Mimosa Morning
WHAT: Custom Z/1′s for $25 with a portion of proceeds going to the Conservation Alliance AND free mimosas! What better way to kick off day 3?
WHERE: Chaco, booth #34127
WHEN: Wednesday, August 4, 10am
Kelty Vintage Pack Bash
WHAT: Kelty has gone to the archives to design a new line of vintage-inspired packs and bags for Spring 2011. To get this new category off in style, we’re throwing a party to benefit the Conservation Alliance. For a $20 donation, you will receive an individually numbered, one-of-a-kind Mockingbird backpack. All proceeds go to the Conservation Alliance. We will also be serving micro brewed beer in custom made Kelty pint glasses and giving away vintage-inspired swag.
WHERE: Kelty Booth # 28017
WHEN: Wednesday August 4, 4-6pm
First Descents Book Signing
WHAT: Catch up with The Epicocity Project and have them sign your copy of First Descents: In Search of Wild Rivers — a chronicle of the best writing and most daring adventures in whitewater paddling to date.
WHERE: Wilderness Press/Menasha Ridge Press Booth # 32108
WHEN: Wednesday, August 4, 2pm
Paddlesports Industry Night
WHAT: Join NRS and Canoe & Kayak for free drinks, industry awards and paddling movies.
WHERE: Pierpont Plaza, 163 Pierpont Ave
WHEN: Wednesday, August 4, 6 to 9pm
Woolrich Adventures Party
WHAT: Woolrich will be celebrating the launch of Woolrich Adventures with the drawing for a trip for two to the Canadian Rockies. Woolrich teamed up with Travel Alberta, Via Rail and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge for this exciting trip. Stop by for some Canadian beer, product giveaways, and a chance to win a trip of a lifetime. Must be present to win.
WHERE: Woolrich booth # 19001-20001
WHEN: Wednesday August 4, 5-6pm
Kamchatka Project Happy Hour
WHAT: Bryan Smith, Kamchatka Project filmmaker/lead expedition kayaker. Slideshow presentation / q&a from his whitewater kayaking expedition in remote Russian. Free Beer!
WHERE: Outdoor Research booth #26015
WHEN: Wednesday, August 4, 5pm
Teva Mountain Games Happy Hour
WHAT: Celebrate the Teva Mountain Games and Teva’s new Gnarkosi with the Vail Valley Foundation. Music, beer and a C4 Waterman iSUP board drawing.
WHERE: Teva booth 7001
WHEN: Wednesday, August 4, 4-6 pm
Teva Party
WHAT: Teva’s Pair for a Foot launch party with Dilated Peoples at Club Elevate. Invitation required. Suggested $10 donation to Waterkeeper Alliance/Save Our Gulf.
WHERE: Club Elevate
WHEN: Wednesday, August 4, Doors 9 pm
Thursday August 5
15th Annual Wasatch Wobble 5K Fun Run Badrock Battle – A Superhero Theme
WHAT: Why wouldn’t you kick off Day 3 of the show with a trail run? Montrail is proud to announce that the Wasatch Wobble will be back again for the 15th running of this fun 5k trail run. Dress up in Superhero costume for a chance to win the costume contest! Stop by the Montrail booth #25001 on Tuesday or Wednesday, August 3rd or 4th, to register and receive your runner goodie bag! All proceeds support the Conservation Alliance. Click here for more details.
WHERE: Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Start is just north of Red Butte Gardens, Salt Lake City
WHEN: Thursday August 5, Run Starts at: 6:45AM Check-In: 6:00-6:30AM
Waffles for Wilderness
WHAT: Clif Bar is celebrating Winter Wildlands Alliance and their new seasonal flavors with Waffles for Wilderness. Join us for some great morning waffles and support Winter Wildlands Alliance.
WHERE: Clif Bar booth #7026
WHEN: Thursday August 5, 8:30-10am
Book signing with Eugene Buchanan
WHAT: Eugene Buchanan will be on hand in the Kelty booth signing copies of his new book, Outdoor Parents, Outdoor Kids from 2-3 on Wednesday. Do your part to help raise the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts by stopping by for your copy of this very informative instruction manual for getting your kids active in the outdoors.
WHERE: Kelty booth # 28017
WHEN: Thursday August 5, 2-3pm
Dam Busters: Save Our Wild Salmon
WHAT: Snake River salmon swim more than 900 miles inland and climb almost 7,000 feet to reach their spawning grounds — the highest salmon spawning habitat on the planet, and the largest and wildest habitat left in the continental United States. These one of a kind salmon travel farther and higher than any other salmon on Earth — not to mention tackling eight massive dams along the way. Come celebrate these amazing fish and catch a glimpse of their epic migration first hand with a film trailer from the Epicocity Project and an amazing photo exhibit from the International League of Conservation Photographers. The filmmakers, photographers and Save Our Wild Salmon crew will be on hand to answer questions and help you take action to protect these one of a kind fish. FREE beer and smoked salmon!
WHERE: Patagonia Booth # 13027
WHEN: Thursday August 5 from 4-6pm
American Alpine Club Happy Hour
WHAT: Osprey hosts the American Alpine Club Happy Hour. Enjoy a gin and tonic and keep a commemorative rocks glass. Enter to win a climbing pack and schwag from Osprey and the AAC.
WHERE: Osprey Packs Booth # 5010
WHEN: Thursday, August 5, 4:30pm – 6pm
Mountain Khakis-KEEN Block Party
WHAT: Go fast and have more fun with KEEN trail shoes at the KEEN and Mountain Khakis block party. 3 Legged Races, Frisbee golf, Corn Hole beer and prizes!
WHERE: KEEN Booth # 31183w
WHEN: Thursday, August 5 at 4:30 pm
Teva House Fiji Happy Hour
WHAT: BULA! Teva House Fiji adventure with Tui Tai and OARS. Head-to-head industry insider drinking games… Think “boat races.”
WHERE: Teva booth #7001
WHEN: Thursday, August 5, 4–6 p.m.













National Geographic Explorer and CORDURA(R) brand Goodwill Ambassador Helen Thayer
Walking Africa…Exploration of Africa’s Cultures and Wildlife.
Utah Museum of Natural History
Monday, Aug. 2
7:00pm-8:00pm
http://umnh.utah.edu/helenthayer
REI – Salt Lake City
Tuesday, Aug. 3
7:00pm-8:15pm
http://www.rei.com/event/8169/session/10237
Both events free and open to the public!
Thanks for putting together this comprehensive list ladies. You just saved me from building out this list myself. I’ll see you there. Can’t wait!
Excellent work under solen (again!). Thanks! And James, why is it that we in Madison are always among the first to review the party lists? Brad should be along any minute now.
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