The first ever National Outdoor Expo is set to draw more than 12,000 outdoor enthusiasts to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham over the weekend.
The two-day family-friendly event in partnership with Ordnance Survey is positioned just as the outdoor season really kicks off in the UK, and is designed to provide you with a plethora of inspiration, kit, tech, nutrition and advice for you to get outside and active in 2022. It doesn’t matter if your activity of choice is hiking, trail running, camping, climbing or water sports, you’ll find plenty of exciting opportunities to discover new trends and sharpen your outdoor skills.
“This show has been two years in the making and we are so excited that it is finally here. We have an incredible lineup that will appeal to many different outdoor enthusiasts and with the brands we have onboard and the features available this show is set to be one of our best," says Esther Beal, Event Director at The National Outdoor Expo, adding "If you have been a fan of outdoor sports for years or have just picked it up recently, this is the show for you, we are catering for those looking to push their skillset to the next level and those who want to know how to get started."
If you’re a gear junkie, take note, as over 100 exhibitors will be in attendance and showcasing the newest outdoor gear, including Ellis Brigham, Salomon, Adidas TERREX, Decathlon, Mountain Hardware, Vango, Outdoor GPS Shop, HOKA ONE ONE and Vibram.
And it’s not just gear testing – the schedule is loaded with speakers and interactive sessions to get you motivated to hit the trail, the crag or the open water this year. The Inspiration Stage will feature speakers from the outdoor industry such as explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Olympic runner Iwan Thomas, Olympic rower James Cracknell and writer and adventurer Ben Fogle.
“The National Outdoor Expo will provide a great opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to ignite that outdoor fire in their souls and prepare themselves for their next big adventure. I am looking forward to sharing my journey, hopefully inspiring people to think big and step outside of their comfort zone in 2022 and beyond. It is when we come together as a community that we really see what we are capable of and feel inspired by what others have achieved, I too am looking forward to meeting some incredible adventurers and being inspired by their stories," says Fogle.
Activities include climbing sessions with Montane, who are hosting a bouldering wall and climbing towers, in addition to a series of talks and skill sessions from the brand’s athletes. If you prefer getting out on the water, try paddleboarding or wild swimming on Pendigo lake with NOWCA, plus there is an Outdoor Kitchen with The Camping and Caravanning Club, a Trail Running Zone with Decathlon and OS, Route Planning with OS, a Bushcraft Zone with Wildway Bushcraft, a Speedtent Challenge with Vango, and Wildlife Pavillion and more incredible interactive features for all the family to enjoy.
In addition, there will be a Wash, Care and Repair zone in partnership with Gore Tex where you can spruce up your gear, live outdoor cooking demos to inspire your camping menus, outdoor films and more.
The Expo goes on from 9am to 5 pm each day and children are welcome too. To get your ticket, simply head to the National Outdoor Expo.
