Outdoor Retailer Comes to Minnesota: A Show, Not a Trade Show

Episode notes

Send us Fan Mail For the first time, Outdoor Retailer - the outdoor industry's signature national gathering - is coming to Minneapolis. Running August 19 - 21, 2026 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, the show marks a major shift for an event that has long lived in the Mountain West. In this episode, host Randolph Briley sits down with three guests who bring complementary vantage points: a Minnesota brand-builder, a longtime industry journalist who built his career on the show, and the Outdoor Retailer leader shaping the 2026 experience. Together they unpack what the move means for the industry, for Minnesota, and for every outdoor business and nonprofit in the state. Guests Aaron Keller - Founder of Capsule, a Minneapolis-based special projects agency that has worked with outdoor brands including Patagonia, Osprey, and Arc'Teryx. Stephen Regenold - Founder of GearJunkie and a journalist who has covered the outdoor industry for 20-plus years. Sunny Stroeer - Outdoor entrepreneur, professional adventure athlete, and co-head of the Leadership Village for Outdoor Retailer. What You'll Hear What Outdoor Retailer is - and why this move matters.

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