Grab your outdoor gear list and get ready for some fun! Something new is coming to Seattle. This June, join outdoor enthusiasts from all over the Seattle area for the first annual Gear Up Expo at the Comcast Arena in Everett.
Gear Up Expo is a public trade show focused on outdoor adventure gear and unique destination travel with a great lineup of gear manufacturers, speakers, displays and workshops all with the outdoor enthusiast in mind.
Over 150 booths with your favorite outdoor gear, retail shops, unique travel destination providers and organizations will all be in one place. So shop a little and swap a little – there will be gear swaps where you can sell your used gear and trade for the latest and greatest right on the same show floor.
But besides the shopping, there are two theaters featuring industry speakers. We’re really excited about the keynote speaker, Seattle’s own Jim Whittaker – the first American to summit Mount Everest – who will speak at 2 PM on Saturday, June 1. He will also be signing copies of his new book A Life on the Edge.
Other featured speakers will share their wealth of information to help you make the most of your time in the backcountry. Learn how to pick the best hike or determine if a climbing clinic is for you. There will be 30 featured speakers including climbing guides, outdoor adventure pros and even Seattle Backpackers Magazine Editor, Erika Klimecky.
Whether your sport is backpacking or kayaking, cycling or mountaineering, there is something here for you – and how about some workshops so you can take great photos of all those outdoor adventures? Look no further. There are special workshops where you can learn the basics or discover a new niche and become an expert. Workshops will be held throughout the expo in the theaters.
A full list of events and speakers is available online.
But that’s not all. Come try out the wilderness area and climbing wall with specialized clinics and how-to demonstrations. There’s also something for divers – the SCUBA pavilion has your underwater desires. Make the most of the passport booth crawl where you can win fabulous prizes and of course just chill out with other outdoor enthusiasts in the beer and wine garden. You’ll be lucky if you can get it all in before the weekend is out.
Tickets are only $10 and there’s still room for you and your favorite friends. Right now there is also a $2 savings off the ticket price. Check out the Gear Up Expo website for details. Here’s a recap of the weekend’s events:
- 200 booths of your favorite gear
- Jim Whittaker keynote speech
- Thirty outdoor pros sharing their tips and knowledge
- Climbing wall
- SCUBA pavilion
- Beer and Wine garden
- Ten dollar tickets
Mark your calendar and get your tickets at the door. Seattle Backpackers Magazine will be in booth 505 in the Media section. Stop by and say hi to us. We’ll see you there!
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