The UK’s only outdoor sport and leisure-focused trade show has celebrated its 20th anniversary with a busy and successful event. Outdoor Trade Show (OTS) returned to Liverpool for the sixth time, where 135 exhibitors showcased the latest product innovations to retail buyers, media and other trade visitors. The show also included a programme of events, activities and networking opportunities
Taking place from 2-4 June, OTS was hosted in Exhibition Centre at Liverpool Experience Campus and organised by MCS PR & Events. Among the 135 exhibitors were many of the UK and Europe’s biggest outdoor brands, including some who have had a stand at every single show. Likewise, there were visitors who have made the trip to every edition of OTS since its launch in 2006. Outside the main hall, other activities during the show included morning runs supported by Ronhill and Topo, on stand entertainment by Vango and Rab, a sold-out OTS Social and the always popular OTS Sustainability Breakfast, which this year included presentations from event sponsor Rab, the Tiso Group and The Microfibre Consortium.
During the OTS Social, the winners were announced of the Outdoor Retailer of the Year – OTS Awards 2026. Now in their third year, the Outdoor Retailer of the Year Awards recognise and celebrate the best outdoor retailers in 10 categories. Full details of the winners can be found at Winners crowned in the Outdoor Retailer of the Year OTS Awards 2026 – Outdoor Trade Show. The finalists of the UK Outdoor Industry Awards 2027 were also revealed – Announcement of UK Outdoor Industry Awards 2027 Finalists – The Outdoor Industries Association.
Marta Williams, managing director of OTS organiser MCS PR & Events, comments: “We are absolutely delighted with how the industry came together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of OTS. The feedback from exhibitors, retailers, brands, distributors and media has been extremely positive.
“What has been especially rewarding is hearing first-hand how important the show is to so many exhibitors and visitors, how it helps save time, creates new contacts and business relationships, showcases new products, and provides valuable networking opportunities. OTS has always been about bringing the outdoor industry together, and this year felt particularly special. The events programme was very well attended and received excellent feedback for both its format and content. There was a real sense of optimism, collaboration and community throughout the three days.
“Personally, having been involved since the very beginning, seeing the industry continue to support and value OTS after 20 years is something of which I am incredibly proud. Thank you to every exhibitor, visitor, partner and supporter who has been part of the OTS journey.”
Chris Bishop, marketing manager of AMG Group, comments: “20 years of OTS and it’s still proving itself as the premier event for brands and retailers to see everything that the UK industry has to offer. It continues to be the calendar highlight, demonstrating its importance for the whole of the UK outdoor industry.”
Debbie Read, head of corporate communications and CSR at Rab, comments: “It was a great show and a good opportunity to reconnect with industry colleagues while also meeting new people. There was a real sense of energy throughout the event, from the inspiring Women’s Networking Event recognising the growth and impact of the group, to the well-attended Sustainability Breakfast, which sparked valuable discussion and shared learning. Overall, an insightful few days and a great reminder of the power of bringing people together in a great location.”
Dan Taylor, head of sales for outdoor and cycle, Pentland Brands – Berghaus, comments: “It was another brilliant OTS show in Liverpool this week. We had high quality meetings with many existing and prospective partners in what’s always a slick and easily accessible show.”
Neil Bradley, brand director at Mountain Equipment, comments: “OTS compresses months of networking and market research into a few highly productive days. Connecting face-to-face gives us immediate access to qualified buyers and emerging industry trends.”
Chris Gordon, marketing manager, Lyon Equipment, comments: “We’re incredibly proud to have been attending OTS since its inception, here for the 20th consecutive year. The show has been at the heart of the UK outdoor industry for two decades, and Lyon Equipment has been there every step of the way. OTS continues to provide a valuable opportunity to showcase our portfolio of premium brands, engage directly with retailers, launch new products and strengthen relationships across the sector. We’re delighted to celebrate this milestone alongside our customers, brand partners and fellow exhibitors.”
Andy Norman, regional sales manager UK & Ireland, Nordics and Benelux, Altra, comments: “OTS 2026 once again proved to be a great opportunity for Altra to showcase our range ahead of important Spring/Summer order deadlines. We see a lot of retail partners at this show and every year seems to be busier than the previous one for us. We highly value our attendance at this event and are looking forward to another great show in 2027.”
Craig McInally, head of ecommerce at liGo.co.uk, comments: “As an independent outdoor retailer, OTS provides invaluable insight into what’s coming next and gives us an opportunity to connect with new brands and suppliers as well as strengthen existing relationships. This year’s event was extremely productive, and we appreciate all the effort that goes into making it such a worthwhile event!”
Emily Russell, owner of The Outdoor Depot, comments: “OTS is always a great opportunity to catch up with brands we already deal with but this year we were able to connect with new brands, suppliers and products, forging new relationships within the industry. It was an exciting show with lots of potential.”
Gareth Sandilands, director, LittleMountainOutdoors.com, comments: “After a decade of visiting the show I was so please to see it is still the number one show in the UK for the outdoor trade. Great to see existing and new brands at the show.”
Jon Fountain, director/owner, Craigdon Mountain Sports, comments: “The show is a fundamental part of the outdoor world. OTS is a great place to buy kit from industry-leading brands and to catch up with fellow professionals.”
Steve Tiffany, managing director, Ski Equip, comments: “Very well organised event and great to see the so many major UK brands all in one place.”
SEE ‘NOTE TO EDITORS’ BELOW FOR MORE COMMENTS FROM EXHIBITORS AND VISITORS.
OTS organisers are now planning for the 2027 show and will release the first details in the near future. For all of the latest news and information about OTS, visit https://outdoortradeshow.com and follow the show on social media:
Feedback from exhibitors about OTS 2026
Natasha Barwell-Jones, director of marketing and communications, Grangers International: “It was fantastic to be part of OTS again this year. The show has gone from strength to strength over the last twenty years, especially since its move to Liverpool. The show was a buzz and gave opportunities for quality conversations with attendees from across the industry. We were proud to exhibit, using it as a platform for new product launches and brand partnership announcements and can’t wait for next year. When trade shows have been struggling it’s exciting to see OTS pull away from that trend and go from strength to strength. We also loved the additional talks and events, especially the sustainability breakfast.”
Jenny Cooper, marketing manager, Unify Brands Partnership: “OTS remains one of the key events in the outdoor industry calendar, and it was a pleasure to spend time connecting with retailers, brand partners and industry colleagues over the course of the show. The event provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the SS27 collections from Teva, Cotopaxi, CMP, Xero Shoes, NNormal and Feetures. We were delighted with the response across all brands, with strong engagement and plenty of positive conversations throughout the event. A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to visit our stands. We look forward to following up on the many valuable discussions and opportunities that came from what was a highly successful few days at OTS.”
Lois Saunders, founder, Twiggy Tags: “We couldn’t have asked for a better debut for Twiggy Tags! The pet sector is such a rapidly growing force within the outdoor industry right now, and the reception to our brand has been incredible. We’ve engaged in some high-quality conversations and are thrilled to be starting new partnerships.”
Rhys George, founder and CEO, Bearhug: “This is Bearhug’s 10th year and OTS’s 20th, so being in Liverpool for it felt fitting. The show punches well above its weight, the quality of conversation on the stand was genuinely better than at events three times the size. For an independent brand building out across UK retail, OTS is where a lot of those relationships start. Already looking forward to 2027.”
Brad Porter, sales director UK, Samsonite: “Our experience at the show has been extremely positive. It has provided a valuable opportunity for Samsonite to connect with industry partners and independent dealers, showcasing our latest innovations and product offering. The quality of conversations and level of
engagement throughout the event have been particularly encouraging, reinforcing the importance of face-to-face interactions. We’re pleased to have been part of such a well-organised and productive event.”
Neil Yoxall, sales manager at Primus-Silva: “We thoroughly enjoyed the very successful 20th anniversary OTS in Liverpool. Silva has been attending since the very first OTS, and this year’s event was another great success for us. OTS remains a vital part of our seasonal sell-in process, and it’s encouraging to see such strong support from retailers year after year. We fully intend to continue exhibiting at the show in 2027. It was particularly pleasing to see Primus named as a finalist in the OIA UK Outdoor Industry Awards following our award win in 2026, which further highlights the value and profile that the show brings to exhibitors. Beyond the business opportunities, OTS continues to be an essential networking event, providing valuable face-to-face meetings and conversations that are more important than ever for building and maintaining strong industry relationships.”
Ronnie Legg, founder, Vertura: “Once again OTS has delivered beyond expectations – the conversations and connections made at the show are so valuable and would not have happened without that in-person contact. There is something so special about when this industry gets together, and the show is a great catalyst for that.”
Martin Driscoll, UK sales director, Sidas: “The 20th OTS was another excellent opportunity to connect with retailers, industry partners and brands from across the outdoor sector. The quality of conversations
throughout the show was outstanding, and the event continues to provide a valuable platform for sharing ideas, showcasing innovation, and strengthening relationships. Congratulations to the team on delivering such a well-organised and successful event.”
Stephen Cann, CEO, Outdoor and Sports Company: “Lovely to catch up with so many familiar faces of friends (competitors, customers, suppliers and colleagues) in such a professional well-run event. Thank you for organising.”
Sonia Prior, sales director, Bradshaw Taylor: “A fantastic show for Sherpa Adventure Gear and Keen, the best one yet. A super productive show seeing our key accounts and independent customers in good time, before the first deadline. Thanks to great product ranges and retail partnerships, we feel confident the brands will be in good shape to meet our season targets.”
Nick Simmonds, general manager, Mont Adventure Equipment: “Mont Adventure Equipment enjoyed a highly successful OTS 2026, connecting with retailers, and industry partners from across the UK. The event provided an excellent platform to showcase our premium outdoor equipment, strengthen existing relationships, and introduce the Mont brand to new audiences. We would like to thank the OTS team for delivering another outstanding event and look forward to returning in the future.”
Oliver Carter, marketing manager, OSC Running Group: “OTS has gone from strength to strength at its home in Liverpool. The exhibition centre is a great venue to display our brands, products and for the wider outdoor and sports industry to come together. The show for us is a prominent event in the spring/summer sell-in calendar and always a good place to meet with plenty of pre-booked appointments and make new contacts from walk-ons to our stand.”
Stewart Cameron, director of brand management, Burton McCall: “It was great to be back in Liverpool at OTS, which provided the perfect environment to engage with so many customers and partners across the industry. It was a highly successful show for us, with some exciting opportunities coming out of it. OTS continues to be the key event in the UK outdoor calendar for us, and this year felt particularly special as the show celebrated its 20th anniversary – a fantastic milestone that reflects how it continues to evolve and grow.”
Liam O’Shea, country lead UK and Ireland, Buff: “Another fantastic event hosted by OTS where we were able to showcase all our new and exciting products for the SS27 season. OTS is a pinnacle event in our calendar
as we can meet all of our current customers ahead of our sales tour and offer a full preview of what’s to come.”
Sarah Burns, Marketing Manager, Accapi Group: “It was Ruffwear’s first return to OTS in six years, and we were excited to be back for the show’s 20th anniversary alongside a strong lineup of leading outdoor brands. The event provided a valuable platform to reconnect with existing partners, engage with new customers, and strengthen relationships across the wider outdoor industry. It was a well-organised show that delivered high-quality, meaningful commercial conversations throughout.”
Feedback from visitors about OTS 2026
David Chandler, freelance writer, Bird Watching magazine: “I always look forward to OTS, and this year’s show didn’t disappoint. I’ll be back.”
Tim Hebbert, co-host, Casual Camping podcast: “This is the show our listeners can’t come to, so it always lands well. We are like big kids seeing all the incredible equipment and clothing, most of which won’t hit the consumers for several months. Being able to speak to so many brands at one event is just amazing. OTS is a genuine highlight of our year.”
