SALT LAKE CITY — Tourism officials in Oregon and Montana are courting a trade show for outdoor retailers that is leaving Utah after the state's stance on public lands sparked some brands to boycott the biannual event.
Outdoor Retailer organizers made the decision after Utah Gov. Gary Herbert refused to rescind his call for the reversal of a new national monument designation, the Statesman Journal reports.
Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario said the industry is all about defending public lands and cannot stand by Utah's decision.
Linea Gagliano of Travel Oregon says Portland would make the perfect location for the event.
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock's office says the state is interested in hosting the lucrative trade show.
"Montana is a pretty good place for something like that," and possible locations are being assessed, the governor's spokeswoman, Ronja Abel, told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
The show announced the move Thursday after previously threatening to leave Utah if Herbert didn't stand down from his call for President Trump to rescind the new Bears Ears National Monument.
The event has grown from 5,000 people at the first show in 1996 to about 29,000 last summer. It attracted an estimated $45 million in annual direct spending to Utah during the two shows held each year.
Colorado also has expressed interest.