Outdoor and Social host Kevin Harris, freelance broadcast journalist, presenter and self-proclaimed outdoor enthusiast, has praised the event in its second year.
Outdoor and Social is a three-day outdoor trade learning event which was held between March 11-13, 2025, at Newfold Farm, Edale, in the Peak District, following on from the inaugural event last year.
It provides workshops and practical sessions designed to increase knowledge and confidence in outdoor products and skills through experience.
Delivered under the guidance of brands, experts and professionals it is completely free of charge to all retail staff and aims to help all retailers and their staff deliver better information to the consumer.
Those staying at the event also camped out for an authentic outdoor experience and were entertained by an extensive speaker line-up.
Kevin, who opened the event and presented the invited speakers, was glad to be back for the second time and has seen how it has grown after its first year as he welcomed 86 brands, 28 retailers and over 150 staff
He said: “The difference between last year’s Outdoor and Social and this year is simply the numbers of people that have turned up. In its first year people realised it was a good idea and they were curious. Then it was a success and now they’ve come back and I think when we come back for year three we’re going to see that growth again.”
And Kevin believes that the event is important for the industry. He added: “Having seen this event now for two years in a row, I can see this event is of huge importance to the industry. The value that the retail staff get out of coming here and learning direct from the brands in the right environment is great. I don’t know how we can measure it, but you can see it and you can feel it when the staff are leaving at the end of the event, they’re going back to the shops, empowered, engaged and excited about the kit and the industry that they work in.”
Kevin has worked at events across the globe and feels Outdoor and Social measures up to everything he has seen. He said: “Simply on the event side, it’s already a great event and it will only get better. Taking out the learning element and the retail and the branding element, as a community event it’s really good.
“The and Social element of the event is key to this as well. People in the outdoor industry rely on relationships and community. There are people who have known each other for years, and then there are new people who are coming in, and it’s building that community, and we need that community to keep the industry moving forwards.”
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