Patagonia to Boycott Outdoor Retailer in Utah
Patagonia says it won’t come to any more Outdoor Retailer shows held in Utah. The reason is because governor Gary Herbert signed a resolution on Friday calling on the federal government to repeal the newly named Bears Ears National Monument. Rose Marcario, president and CEO of Patagonia, noted in Monday press release, “Because of the hostile environment they have created and their blatant disregard for Bears Ears National Monument and other public lands, the backbone of our business.
“Patagonia will no longer attend the Outdoor Retailer show in Utah.” She went on to say that other outdoor retail brands will likely follow suit. Patagonia spokeswoman Corley Kenna said on Monday “that the resolution was the final straw for a company that was already at odds with Utah’s push to control more public lands and its harsh criticism of the new monument.”
Kenna said Patagonia would come back to the Utah shows if Herbert urges leaders and the congressional delegation to drop their opposition to of the monument. Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard said in a January statement that the show should move from Utah because of a “hostile environment that puts our industry at risk.” Read the full statement here.
Herbert insists his government demonstrates a commitment to protect and promoting Utah’s scenic beauty. Outdoor Retailer officials said Monday that they will request proposals from other cities to host shows starting as early as November 2018 after its current contract runs out.
Outdoor Retailer has hosted two shows a year in Utah every year since 1996, except for 2002 during the Winter Olympics. The shows bring Utah an estimated $45 million in annual direct spending. In 2015, show organizers considered Las Vegas, Chicago and other cities before signing a new two-year contract to stay in Utah.
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