salt lake city and famous people

Last week, work paid for me to fly to Salt Lake City, Utah to attend the Outdoor Retailers Show. Now, I really do not work for an "outdoor" retailer but I do deal with a few vendors who show there and I wanted to learn how I can maybe bring a little of that business to our stores.

The show is basically a huge convention hall filled with all of the coolest camping, hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, biking, mountaineering, etc equipment, clothing and anything else you may or may not need for those activities. There were about 1000 vendors. This is the main purchasing time for all of the mom and pop outdoors stores as well as a big show for the big box places we all shop. i did get to play with a lot of cool stuff although I did not take advantage of the climbing wall or the giant pool where you could test kayaks. Now, why might you ask am I posting anything about this show?? Cuz of two reasons.

1. I scheduled three days for the show but really only needed two. On the third day I "tested product". In other words, I rented a mountain bike and rode up into the mountains above salt lake city. I have never ridden hills so big. mountains really. I have never ridden at altitude. I have not ridden on hardcore mountain trails in a long time. This all made for a really tough but awesome ride. I wish I had my camera to take pictures.

2. I saw lots of famous people. Well, most were only famous in the outdoors world. I do not have the energy tonight to go throw all of the stories but here is the abridged version. People I saw

Bob Roll - I went to watch the Tour of Utah on Friday night. He was there watching and commentating. We both sat on the curb and ate a burrito. He is wackier in person that on TV!!!

Conrad Anker - mountain climber extraordinaire. He was at the North Face party. Cool regular guy who just happens to climb Everest every once in a while.

David Beckham - just so happens the Real Madrid was playing an exhibition against Real Salt Lake. Him and the other dudes from Real Madrid were hanging out at the mall.

I can remember his name but the dude who had to cut off his own arm to survive when a rock landed on his arm. He was promoting locator beacons.

Scott Jurek - Brooks athlete and winner of almost every ultramarathon around.

Brian Leech (?) - cool mountain bike trials specialist.

I swear there were a few more but I cannot remember right now.

Salt Lake City is probably a good place to go ski and hike and mountain bike but other than that, I have no need to go back..

N