Outdoor retailers bend a bit

A trade association representing thousands of outdoor product retailers is budging a little in its ongoing dispute with Gov. Mike Leavitt over wilderness designation in Utah. But it stopped far short of a long-term commitment to the state.

In this case, the "little" is a recommendation by the Outdoor Industry Association that a semiannual trade show for the $18 billion outdoor recreation market remain in Utah through the winter of 2005, or two shows beyond the winter of 2004 when the current contract runs out.

"This conversation started about wilderness protection, and we will continue to pursue that protection," said Frank Hugelmeyer, president of OIA. "We are encouraged by the governor's aspirations to grow a recreational economy; however, we believe that protecting wild places is a critical component to reaching that goal. This is only the beginning."

The association's board of directors met with Leavitt Thursday in conjunction with the summer trade show to discuss whether it should pursue alternative locations for the shows beginning in the summer of 2005.

OIA isn't the group that makes the final decision, although it certainly has influence. Rather it is Outdoor Retailer, a management company owned by Virginia-based VNU Expositions Inc.

Other cities are trying to lure the semiannual trade shows, which bring in $24 million a year to the Salt Lake economy. Denver is one city that wants the show, and OIA has also pressured Colorado Gov. Bill Owens on wilderness-related issues, suggesting a positive response could tip the balance.

Leavitt angered many outdoor retailers last April when he announced a deal with Interior Secretary Gale Norton to remove interim protections on 6 million acres of potential wilderness in Utah but leaving in place protections on 3.2 million acres. In exchange, Utah agreed to drop its lawsuit against the Department of Interior over what it claimed was illegal wilderness policy.

"The whole issue for us is wilderness," said Chris Grover, sales manager for Black Diamond Equipment of Salt Lake City. "That supports the livelihood we depend on."

It was Peter Metcalf, president of Black Diamond, who ignited a political firestorm when he threatened to persuade other retailers to pull out of Salt Lake and move to a more environmentally friendly state — a move that caught Leavitt by surprise.

On Thursday, he met with industry officials to explain his position on protecting wilderness areas and announced a new move to form an "alliance" with the association to identify Utah's top 100 recreational jewels.