The National Outdoor Expo took place at Birmingham NEC over the weekend of 18/19 March 2023. Three Points of the Compass went along to see what it had to offer this year.

The first National Outdoor Expo took place in 2022 at the same venue. Three Points of the Compass visited that show but was less impressed with the limited content than many other reporters that year. Well it must have been sufficient of a success for organisers to repeat it this year. Perhaps they did listen to the mutterings from attendees, or possibly a few other gear suppliers, organisations and the like were simply wary of attending an unknown and expensive newcomer on the block first time round. Whatever the case, this year it was bigger and brasher, with more occupied stands and much improved visitor numbers. Confidence has very obviously increased in both vendors and visitors.

There was a real buzz about the show. Many of the stand holders and exhibitors I spoke to commented on how visitors were really wanting and enjoying this Expo. They were likewise enjoying the opportunity to directly deal with a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts and take feedback on their products.

The show was open to the public 9am – 5pm on both Saturday 18th March and Sunday 19th March 2023. All speaker talks and panels were first come, first served. There were around 236 stands, up on last year. ‘Outdoor’ is a very wide remit and it encompassed just about any activity you can think of that takes place in the outdoors. I was primarily interested in matters relating to lightweight backpacking and concentrated mostly on what there was for that, though I was obviously frequently diverted ‘off-piste’.

Three Points of the Compass was pleasantly surprised by the wider and more accommodating exhibitors this year. There seemed to be greater confidence in the market and interest in their products.

Saturday was the busiest day by far, but staff at two separate stands confirmed to me that Sunday had generated greater spend. Visitors were appreciating the opportunity to try out gear, to handle equipment, to talk to experts. Hardly a surprise, but a rare opportunity these days outside the ‘big box stores’.

National Trails joined the show this year to share progress on the England Coast Path. Eve, in her capacity of Marketing and Coms, was enthusiastically extolling the virtues of the Wales Coast Path, while Malc, National Trails Officer, was happy to chat at length on the Cleveland Way, Yorkshire Wolds Way, and progress on the Coast to Coast, set to soon become a National Trail in its own right.

The old ‘Outdoors’ show of yore is long gone. That show generated a following, then took the foolish decision to move to London. It found a completely different demographic, failed to successfully relocate and ultimately died the death. It looks as though the NEC Outdoors Expo is finding its niche, effectively providing central England with a more easily reached and large outdoors show that may yet become a ‘must-do’ on the outdoors calendar for many. Three Points of the Compass will almost certainly be again making the long drive from Kent next year. See you there. 16-17 March 2024, NEC, Birmingham.