Photo: Minneapolis Convention Center / Google MapsHotels for Outdoor Retailer 2027 in Minneapolis
Outdoor Retailer 2027 runs 18 to 20 August at Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis. 1,800+ attendees (2026)
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- Company invoice
- Book rooms for your team
Where to stay
Where to stay for Outdoor Retailer 2027: the closest hotels to Minneapolis Convention Center are in Downtown Minneapolis and Loring Park, with North Loop a short ride away. Rooms near the venue sell out first, so book a free-cancellation rate early. Add your company name and tax number at checkout for an itemised company invoice.
Popular areas for attendees: Downtown Minneapolis · Loring Park · North Loop · Bloomington (airport).
About Outdoor Retailer
Outdoor Retailer, the outdoor industry's trade show since 1982, returns to the Minneapolis Convention Center from Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 August 2027, its second year in Minneapolis after decades in Salt Lake City, Denver and other western cities.
The show opens with an education day of Retailer Playbook Lab workshops and Industry Day on the Wednesday, followed by two expo hall days built around discovering new outdoor brands, with emerging brand pavilions, a creator programme called Wild Reach and early morning hikes, paddles and runs in the city's parks.
The 2026 Minneapolis debut drew more than 1,800 attendees, 275+ brands and 400+ qualified retailers from 45 states and 20 countries. It is a trade only show for retail buyers and the trade. The Convention Center sits on the south side of downtown Minneapolis, so for Outdoor Retailer hotels most visitors stay downtown or in Loring Park, with the airport hotels in Bloomington a light rail ride away.
This page shows live hotel rates across Minneapolis for your dates; your show badge comes from the organiser and is separate from your hotel booking.
Who attends
Outdoor brands and qualified retail buyers (specialty, mass and online), plus reps, media and creators. It is a trade show and not open to the public.
Why book with Event Escapes
- Minneapolis hotels for Outdoor Retailer sorted by distance to the Minneapolis Convention Center, from downtown and Loring Park to the North Loop
- Live rates for 18 to 20 August 2027, with check-in and check-out dates you choose for the education day, the expo hall days or all three
- Free cancellation rates shown where the hotel offers them, useful while your booth team or buying trip is still being planned
- An itemised company invoice emailed at booking, plus a quote within 24 hours for a brand team or a retail buying group through our enquiry form
Event at a glance
- Dates
- 18 Aug to 20 Aug 2027
- Length
- 3 days, Wed to Fri
- Venue
- Minneapolis Convention Center
- City
- Minneapolis, USA
- Airport
- MSP
- Organiser
- Forge
- First held
- 1982
- Sector
- Retail
Key facts (2026 edition)
- attendees
- 1,800+
- brands
- 275+
- qualified retailers
- 400+
- countries
- 20
Figures published by the organiser.
Event Escapes is independent of the organiser. We book your hotel; badges, tickets and stands are handled by the organiser.
Live rates near the venue
Hotels near Minneapolis Convention Center for Outdoor Retailer 2027
Plan your stay
Rates shown for a 3 night stay, Tue, Aug 17 → Fri, Aug 20, arriving the day before the fair opens, or choose your own dates above.
Hotel rates near major event venues rise as the dates approach and the closest hotels sell out first. Booking a free-cancellation rate early locks the price with no downside.
On the map
The venue, your hotel options and where to eat, all in one view. Tap the map to explore it full screen.
Free cancellation first
Flexible rooms prioritised so plans can change without penalty.
Company invoice
Itemised invoice billed to your company, emailed the moment you book.
Stay close to the venue
Hotels ranked by walking distance to the halls.
Lock today's rate
Reserve at the current price and book several rooms for the team.
Booking hotels for a team or company?
Book several rooms near Minneapolis Convention Center, keep every stay on a free-cancellation rate, and add your company name and tax number at checkout to receive an itemised invoice for your accounts, emailed the moment you book.
- Itemised company invoice, emailed instantly
- Bills to your company name and ABN / VAT / tax number
- Free-cancellation rates prioritised for changing plans
- Book multiple rooms for the team in one place
Send this page to colleagues so everyone books their own room near the venue, all at today's rate.
Exhibiting or sending a team? Tell us how many rooms you need and we will send a personalised quote within 24 hours, with the distance from every hotel to Minneapolis Convention Center. If the closest hotels are nearly full, we split your team across neighbouring hotels a few minutes apart. Corporate accommodation for Outdoor Retailer
Free Outdoor Retailer Insider Guide
Do Outdoor Retailer the easy way. Get our curated guide, plus first access to near-venue rooms before they sell out.
- The best hotels within walking distance of the venue
- Getting there, getting around and visa basics
- How to beat the sold-out fair-week rooms
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Need to expense this trip? Business invoices available at checkout.
How do you get to Outdoor Retailer?
Flying into Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP)
- Metro Transit says the METRO Blue Line light rail runs between the airport and downtown Minneapolis every 15 minutes during most of the day, in less than 30 minutes to Target Field
- To reach the airport transit station, follow Ground Transportation signs to the lower level and take the tram, then go down to the Blue Line platform with a paid ticket
- The Convention Center lists car rental, Lyft and Uber, and Metro Transit bus and light rail at both airport terminals
- Blue Line trains run 24 hours a day between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with no fare between terminals
Finding the Convention Center
- The show's address is Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Avenue S, Minneapolis
- Drop off and pick up for buses, Lyft, Uber and accessible transport is in front of the building on 2nd Avenue South, the venue says
- Drivers can use the underground Plaza Parking Ramp beside the building, with another ramp on 3rd Avenue S
How do you get around during Outdoor Retailer?
Getting to the show each day
- From most downtown hotels the Convention Center is a walk or a short taxi ride; the venue sits at the south end of downtown near Loring Park
- From the airport and Bloomington hotels, take the Blue Line into downtown and finish by taxi, ride share or on foot
- Expo hall hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday 19 August and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday 20 August 2027, so plan meetings around the shorter final day
Choosing where to stay
- Downtown Minneapolis has the most hotels close to the Convention Center and the most choice for client dinners
- Loring Park, next to the Convention Center, suits visitors who want to be close to the venue and to green space
- The North Loop, with warehouse conversions and restaurants, is a lively evening base on the other side of downtown
- The organiser's travel page offers a retailer hotel block through its official housing provider; Event Escapes is independent and shows live rates across many Minneapolis hotels
Do you need a visa for Outdoor Retailer?
Visa-free / visa on arrival
- Check the current US entry rules for your passport before you travel, on official US government websites or with the US embassy where you live
- Travellers from Visa Waiver Program countries need an approved ESTA travel authorisation; US Customs and Border Protection recommends applying as soon as you begin preparing travel plans or before buying airline tickets
- Apply for ESTA only on the official US government website, and note that you need an e-Passport to use the Visa Waiver Program
eVisa / visa required
- If you cannot travel under the Visa Waiver Program you will need a US visitor visa; contact your local US embassy or consulate to book an appointment
- International brands may be able to exhibit in a national or regional pavilion in 2027; the organiser's pavilion programme is run with Huginbiz
- Start any visa application well before August, as interview waiting times vary by country
Documents to carry
- A passport valid for your whole stay, with your ESTA approval or visa linked to it
- Your badge confirmation and any business credentials you used to qualify for registration
- Your hotel booking and return travel details, in case the border officer asks
US entry requirements change often, so check the current rules on official US government websites or with your nearest US embassy before you book travel.
First time at Outdoor Retailer?
- Wednesday 18 August 2027 is the education day (Retailer Playbook Lab from 8:30 a.m. and Industry Day in the afternoon); the expo hall opens on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 August
- Outdoor Retailer is not open to the public: only authorised buyers and members of the trade are admitted, and you must qualify with credentials
- Retail buyers and importers register free before the show, or pay $40 onsite from 18 August 2027; non buyers, media sales and non exhibiting manufacturers pay from $1,000 (early bird)
- Education at the show is complimentary but needs a show badge
- Qualified retail buyers can apply to the organiser's hosted buyer programme, which may help with hotel and airfare costs
Insider tips from repeat attendees
- Buyer registration for 2027 had not opened when this guide was written; the organiser takes RSVPs on its home page and will notify you when it opens
- The 2026 show sold out its floor and the organiser is targeting 600+ buyers for 2027, so book a hotel early if you want to be near the Convention Center
- Bring trail shoes: the Urban Outdoor Experiences programme runs early morning hikes, paddles, climbs and trail runs at Theodore Wirth Regional Park
Outdoor Retailer travel FAQs
When is Outdoor Retailer 2027?
Outdoor Retailer takes place 18 Aug to 20 Aug 2027 at Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, USA.
Where is Outdoor Retailer held?
Outdoor Retailer is held at Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, USA. The nearest airport is MSP.
When and where is Outdoor Retailer 2027?
Outdoor Retailer 2027 runs from Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 August 2027 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Avenue S, Minneapolis. Wednesday is the education day; the expo hall is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday.
Is Outdoor Retailer still in Salt Lake City?
No. The organiser says the show has been held in Las Vegas, Anaheim, Long Beach, Reno, Salt Lake City and Denver, and moved to Minneapolis in 2026. The 2027 show returns to the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Can the public attend Outdoor Retailer?
No. Outdoor Retailer is not open to the public; only authorised buyers and members of the trade are admitted, and registration requires credentials.
How much does it cost to attend?
For 2027 the organiser lists free pre show registration for retail buyers and importers or distributors ($40 onsite), free entry for working media, and $1,000 to $1,200 for non buyers, media sales, event organisers, non exhibiting manufacturers and independent reps, depending on when you register.
Where should I stay for Outdoor Retailer?
Downtown Minneapolis and Loring Park are closest to the Convention Center. The North Loop is a lively base across downtown, and hotels near the airport in Bloomington are on the Blue Line light rail into the city.
Does Outdoor Retailer have an official hotel provider?
The organiser names EvolveCon / Hotel Maps as its official housing provider and offers a retailer hotel block on its travel page. Event Escapes is independent and not affiliated with Outdoor Retailer; we show live rates across many Minneapolis hotels so you can compare.
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Which hotels are closest to Minneapolis Convention Center?
The closest hotels to the venue with the distance, the walk or ride time and an indicative nightly rate, refreshed weekly. Live prices for your exact dates are in the booking section above. Last checked 11 November 2026.
Cheap and 3 star hotels near Minneapolis Convention Center
| Hotel | Distance to venue | Walk or ride | From per night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis Downtown★★★ | 0.3 km | ~5 min walk | $146 |
| Cambria Hotel Minneapolis Downtown★★★ | 0.9 km | ~15 min walk | $111 |
More hotels close to Minneapolis Convention Center
| Hotel | Distance to venue | Walk or ride | From per night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis★★★★ | 0.3 km | ~4 min walk | $1,532 |
| Sheraton Minneapolis Downtown Convention Center★★★★ | 0.3 km | ~4 min walk | $243 |
| Hyatt Regency Minneapolis★★★★ | 0.3 km | ~5 min walk | $223 |
| Four Seasons Minneapolis Hotel★★★★★ | 1.4 km | ~6 min ride | $1,077 |
Event Escapes is a privately owned, independent company that provides accommodation and travel for trade fair visitors. We are not associated with, endorsed by or acting for Outdoor Retailer, its organisers or its promoters. Dates and venues can change. Verify with the official event site before booking travel.