Slide & OTS Winter show preview Interview

With the January show fast approaching Source sat down with Media Contact Services the organisers of the Slide & OTS Winter show preview interview to hear all about the show and its move to Liverpool, as OTS reaches its 20th anniversary.

What inspired the original launch of the Slide show?

Slide first took place in 2007, as a re-launch of the Snowsport and Outdoor Leisure Trade Exhibition (Soltex) show, in order to bring the show up-to-date with the contemporary image of the industry. It presented an entirely new concept of design and floorplan, with a café in the centre of the show, surrounded by low level stands and a ‘fresh brands’ area.

Please can we have a brief history of Slide since its inception?

1987: Ski-GB show takes place at NEC Birmingham.

1991: By now renamed Snowsport and Outdoor Leisure Trade Exhibition (Soltex) and embracing snowboarding and related activities, the show moves to G-Mex Manchester.

1998-2001: The Camping and Outdoor Leisure Association organises its spring exhibition alongside Soltex at G-Mex, with joint branding.

2002-2006: Soltex continues as stand-alone four-day exhibition.

2007: Soltex re-launched as three-day Slide show.

2011: Slide moves to Telford International Centre, offering a more cost-effective show; exhibitor numbers increase by more than 20%.

2022: First combined Slide & OTS Winter show

Please give us some stats from last year’s show

Last year we had 102 exhibitors,  58 products entered into the show awards and 593 visitors of whom 65%  were retailers.

Why are you moving to Liverpool?

We have moved SLIDE & OTS Winter to Liverpool, in order to open up an easier location for more retailers, buyers and members of media to visit the show, following feedback from visitors and exhibitors. As a venue, Exhibition Centre Liverpool ticks all the boxes and offers a first-class location for the show, on the banks of the River Mersey, next to Liverpool’s historic waterfront, and with excellent public transport links and accommodation options.

What are the key focuses of the January show?

As always, the primary aim is to provide brands from the snowsport, winter outdoor and action sports markets, a unique cost effective ‘trade launch’ opportunity, to showcase and promote new equipment and seasonal collections of clothing and accessories to a captive audience of key buyers, who can see all the key players in one location at the same time to make those important buying decisions and to save time and money.

What’s new for the 2026 January show?

Aside from the new venue, 2026 sees the Slide & OTS Winter branding redesigned, to reflect the modern snowsports industry with a cleaner, more dynamic look, incorporating slanted ‘l’ and ‘i’ characters to reference mountain peaks and slopes. Thus, as the industry evolves, the show’s branding stays relevant, contemporary, and easily recognisable, whilst increasing its appeal to a wider audience of trade buyers and visitors. With a completely new floor plan and low wall style, the show will look and feel fresh, and easy to navigate for visitors.

Please tell us about the side events you have at the show?

There are many opportunities at the show to network, socialise and learn, including the Slide Awards ’26 entries display area, where all award entries are on prominent display in a dedicated awards area in the entrance atrium. Also the the Slide & OTS Winter Kick Off Run, an early morning social run on day 1 held in partnership with Keen is open to all and the Exhibitor Stand Entertainment, again on day 1, will enable visitors and exhibitors to relax after the exhibition closes and enjoy hospitality from participating stands. The ever popular Sustainability and Workshop Breakfast returns on day 2 of the show, featuring thought-provoking and inspiring talks from experts in the field and the Networking Drinks, SIGB AGM and Awards Presentation on the evening of day 1 sees networking drinks on the venue’s Terrace, followed by the announcement of the winners of the Slide Awards ’26, and the SIGB AGM.  And on the morning of final day  the OIA & SIGB Women’s network Run will be  led by Kiera Baxter of the OIA’s Development Board.

Why should brands book space at the show?

Quite simply, Slide & OTS Winter is the place for brands and their products to be seen and bought; feedback from exhibitors always highlights the show as an unmissable three days in which to do business for the forthcoming year, and that’s amply illustrated by how many established exhibitors return year after year, along with new exhibitors keen to get their products in front of the retailers who matter.

Why should retailers visit the show?

Slide & OTS Winter presents retailers with a really valuable opportunity to see a huge range of leading and emerging snowsport and outdoor brands, all under one roof. The show sees buyers from the major multiple and leading independent retailers attending, and they return year-on-year; over 72% of 2025 show visitors were previous attendees or had existing knowledge of the show. These are all retailers looking to choose their Autumn & Winter ranges for the next year, and who know the value of Slide & OTS Winter as their “one-stop shop” to do just that.

www.slideotswinter.co.uk