Blog: Move Outdoor Retailer to New Mexico!

Statement

The Outdoor Industry Association just announced that it will no longer hold its twice-yearly trade show in Salt Lake City, citing the efforts of Utah's elected officials to sell off public lands and undermine our nation's conservation legacy. The Outdoor Retailer shows generate more than $45 million in annual economic impact, so this is a significant move and sends a strong message that these proposals to sell or restrict access to America's public lands are bad for business.

I sent a letter urging the Outdoor Industry Association, which represents more than 1,200 outdoor businesses nationally, to give strong consideration to the state of New Mexico as its new location to hold the trade show. 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.

In the West, our 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. Without access to our public lands, those opportunities would disappear. I remain deeply committed to standing with New Mexicans today and every day to protect and conserve our public lands, water, and wildlife for all to enjoy.

I hope you can take a moment to read the editorial below from The New Mexican about why "There is no place better than New Mexico for an event celebrating the outdoors." This is an opportunity we should embrace to demonstrate our state's unwavering commitment to protecting our natural heritage and growing our outdoor recreation economy.

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