Heinrich Vies For New Mexico To Be Future Host Of Outdoor Retailer Trade Show
Pressure over public lands protections succeeds in moving Outdoor Retailer trade show from Utah to another state
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released a letter tonight vying for New Mexico to host the Outdoor Retailer trade show, which generates more than $45 million in annual economic impact.
Over the last 20 years, the trade show, hosted by the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) representing more than 1,200 outdoor businesses nationally, has been held in Salt Lake City. However, OIA just announced that it will no longer hold its twice-yearly trade show in Utah citing concerns that elected officials in the state, "from Governor Herbert and the state legislature to its congressional delegation, most notably Representative Bishop, the Chairman of the House Resources Committee, have all actively embraced the idea of transferring America's public lands to the state."
Heinrich, a leading advocate for defending the nation's public lands and a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released a letter he sent to the President and CEO of Emerald Expositions who is soliciting proposals for a new venue to host the Outdoor Retailer trade show.
"As you solicit proposals for a new venue to host the Outdoor Retailer trade show, I would urge you to give strong consideration to the state of New Mexico," Heinrich wrote. "New Mexicans' livelihoods are rooted in our open spaces. Families have long histories of using our public lands for hiking, hunting, fishing, and other outdoor traditions, both new and old. New Mexicans also share my unwavering commitment to protecting our natural heritage for our children and for generations to come, and know firsthand that conservation and growing the economy are inextricably linked. Importantly, the outdoor recreation industry is one of the largest sources of economic growth in our state, directly supporting 68,000 jobs and providing more than $450 million in tax revenue and $6.1 billion in consumer spending annually. I hope the outdoor recreation industry will join us in New Mexico as we work to improve access, reauthorize key conservation programs, and stand firm against any effort to seize our lands."
The full text of Heinrich's letter can be found here, and below:
Mr. David Loechner
President and CEO
Emerald Expositions
31910 Del Obispo, Suite 200
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Dear Mr. Loechner:
As you solicit proposals for a new venue to host the Outdoor Retailer trade show, I would urge you to give strong consideration to the state of New Mexico. New Mexico's vibrant and vast public lands are a vital part of the state's culture and economy, and New Mexico has a tradition of stakeholders coming together to support conservation and the outdoor recreation industry.
In recent years, New Mexico has seen new public lands designations that would not have been possible without the support of local business owners, tribes, sportsmen, acequia associations, ranchers, conservationists, veterans, and many other partners. This kind of cooperation and commitment to our public lands follows a long history of conservation leadership in New Mexico, with stewards like Aldo Leopold paving the way for modern land conservation policies with his vision to preserve the Gila Wilderness in the 1920s.
New Mexicans' livelihoods are rooted in our open spaces. Families have long histories of using our public lands for hiking, hunting, fishing, and other outdoor traditions, both new and old. New Mexicans also share my unwavering commitment to protecting our natural heritage for our children and for generations to come, and know firsthand that conservation and growing the economy are inextricably linked. Importantly, the outdoor recreation industry is one of the largest sources of economic growth in our state, directly supporting 68,000 jobs and providing more than $450 million in tax revenue and $6.1 billion in consumer spending annually.
I hope the outdoor recreation industry will join us in New Mexico as we work to improve access, reauthorize key conservation programs, and stand firm against any effort to seize our lands. As Outdoor Retailer stated, one of the criteria that must be considered when choosing a host for your trade show is "the degree to which host states are in sync with outdoor industry values." I can assure you, the enjoyment and protection of our great outdoors is among the pillars of New Mexico values.
Sincerely,
