Outdoor Retailer has tapped an experienced event manager as its new group show director.
Matthew Mathiasen was named to the position on Thursday. He succeeds Sean Smith, who left in January to take on the role of event director at Diversified USA’s Switchback outdoor trade show.
Mathiasen has nearly 20 years experience across large-scale trade events, brand management and buyer relations. He was previously show director for NY Now at Outdoor Retailer‘s parent firm Emerald.
“As I step into this role, my priority is to be accessible, collaborative, and aligned with the needs of the outdoor community,” Mathiasen said. “Outdoor Retailer has long served as a central gathering point for the industry, and I look forward to building on that legacy while shaping what comes next.”
“Matthew brings a deep understanding of live events and buyer relationships, along with a collaborative leadership style that reflects where the industry is headed,” Lindsay Hubley, Emerald’s senior vice president of the Sports and Outdoor division, said. “He is uniquely positioned to lead Outdoor Retailer into its next phase.”
The next phase includes strategic initiatives following Outdoor Retailer’s move to Minneapolis as it looks to a rebuild of its presence in the trade show circuit.
Outdoor Retailer’s next event is from Aug. 19 to 21 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. As part of this next phase, Emerald is launching the “Make It Yours” campaign that will highlight emerging brands and founder-led companies, as well as invite the outdoor community to help shape the industry through collaboration and shared experiences.
