The NEC at Birmingham will be home to the Outdoor Leisure Show
The industry body behind Britain’s outdoor manufacturers and retailers has thrown its weight behind a new three-day show to be held in Birmingham.
The Outdoor Leisure Show will take place at the National Exhibition Centre in February and will feature appearances by television presenter and former Royal Marine Monty Halls, most famously seen being upstaged by his dog Reuben in Monty Hall’s Great Hebridean Escape.
The Outdoor Industries Association announced it was backing the event, from 25 to 27 February 2011.
Chief executive Louise Ramsay said: “We are delighted to officially support the new Outdoor Leisure Show at the NEC next February. It is important for the OIA to back a new show such as this, as it’s our vision to help get more people outdoors, responsibly.
“The show will encourage and inspire participation in the outdoors, and will also help people appreciate the health and well-being associated with those experiences.
“Families and individuals of all ages will be able to benefit from the advice and extensive knowledge of numerous outdoor experts all under one roof, whether they are completely new to outdoor activities or already participating. We will be encouraging our members to attend.”
The Outdoor Leisure Show’s event director Andy Gibb added: “The support by the Outdoor Industries Association confirms the support and demand for an outdoor leisure show specifically targeting those from the Midlands and the North of England; for those who enjoy the great outdoors – rambling, fellwalking, climbing, mountaineering, camping or exploring places of natural interest.”
There will also be the chance to try outdoor activities including canoeing, kayaking and climbing.
The event is being hosted alongside the 50th Boat and Caravan Show. Organisers said they expect to attract 20,000 outdoor enthusiasts, in addition to those with an interest in outdoor pursuits from the Boat and Caravan Show.
The announcement follows the move south of the Outdoors Show, which has left its former home at the NEC for a new venue at ExCeL in east London.
The Outdoors Show also features a separate Outdoor Heroes Theatre, with appearances from Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Ben Fogle, Ray Mears and Simon King and runs from 13 to 16 January 2011, to coincide with the London Bike Show and the London International Boat Show.
