Patagonia Refuses To Attend Outdoor Retailer In Utah Next Year After Govenor’s Anti-Public Land Resolution

Patagonia has decided to not attend the 2018 Outdoor Retailer show in Utah after Governor Gary Herbert asked the Trump Administration to “rescind” Obama’s decision to make Bears Ears in southern Utah a National Monument. Yvon Chouinard wrote an open letter to Utah politicians urging them to take back the resolution and embrace the public land that makes Utah what it is. The Utah Governor is currently headed in the opposite direction and wasn’t even phased by the letter, but time will tell if that continues. Patagonia has chosen not to attend the show in Utah, unless politicians change their mind. Outdoor Retailer recently announced that it is looking for a new home for the show in 2018, if decisions aren’t made to benefit the state’s public land.

Patagonia Press Release:

“Utah Gov. Gary Herbert signed a resolution on Friday urging the Trump administration to rescind the Bears Ears National Monument, making it clear that he and other Utah elected officials do not support public lands conservation nor do they value the economic benefits – $12 billion in consumer spending and 122,000 jobs – that the outdoor recreation industry brings to their state. Because of the hostile environment they have created and their blatant disregard for Bears Ears National Monument and other public lands, the backbone of our business, Patagonia will no longer attend the Outdoor Retailer show in Utah and we are confident other outdoor manufacturers and retailers will join us in moving our investment to a state that values our industry and promotes public lands conservation.“ – Rose Marcario, President and CEO, Patagonia, Inc.

Last month, our founder and CEO, Yvon Chouinard penned an op-ed, The Outdoor Industry Loves Utah; Does Utah Love the Outdoor Industry? In which he stated, “If Gov. Herbert doesn’t need us, we can find a more welcoming home. Gov. Herbert should direct his Attorney General to halt their plans to sue and support the historic Bears Ears National Monument. He should stop his efforts to transfer public lands to the state, which would spell disaster for Utah’s economy. He should show the outdoor industry he wants our business – and that he supports thousands of his constituents of all political persuasions who work in jobs supported by recreation on public lands. We love Utah, but Patagonia’s choice to return for future shows will depend on the Governor’s actions. I’m sure other states will happily compete for the show by promoting public lands conservation.”