The Outdoor Retailer trade show is one of the largest domestic trade shows for the Athletic and Outdoor industry. More than 20,000 people attend and nearly 1,000 exhibitors display the latest and greatest in outdoor sports, apparel, gear, and equipment.
This year, more than 40 of these exhibitors hail from Portland or Oregon. The OR Spotlight introduces just a few of the many great Portland companies attending the winter show.
Today’s company is Korkers.
Your Name and Title:
Sean Beers, Chief Executive Officer, Korkers Products
Company Name and Description:
Korkers is the industry leader in adaptable traction footwear. The company designs and distributes boots that provide optimal traction for a variety of outdoor pursuits, including fly fishing and cold weather applications.
Year Founded:
The modern version of Korkers dates back to 2002 when the company introduced the industry’s first adaptable traction wading boot. Today the company enjoys a leadership position within the fly fishing wading business and is quickly making a name for itself in the cold weather marketplace as well.
What’s your hottest product this year at the 2013 Winter Outdoor Retailer show?
We partnered with Vibram to create the Omnitrax Interchangeable Traction System that allows you to change your sole without changing your shoe.
Besides your own, what Portland companies do you think are doing the most exciting work/design?
I’m a big fan of a number of great emerging Portland based companies including Handful, Showers Pass, Nutcase Helmets, Homeschool Snowboarding, and RYZ Footwear. There is a real plethora of creative talent and dedicated visionaries in Portland and I’m proud to be a part of it all.
What do you consider the advantages of being based in Portland?
I really appreciate the community aspect of our business. There is a real network of folks across functional areas who always seem willing and able to assist. In addition, having great local design talent and easy access to Asia as well as the overall quality of life are big assets in my mind.
Photo: Clockwise from top- Sean Beers, CEO of Korkers, poses at Korker’s OR booth; Korker’s boot display; New Omnitrax interchangeable traction system on display at Vibram booth.
