Cascade Summit Show to Launch in Portland February 2026; A Trade Show Built for Emerging Outdoor Brands

October 28, 2025

PORTLAND, OR (October 28, 2025) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – The outdoor industry’s newest trade show, Cascade Summit Show, is coming to Portland early next year, bringing together smaller outdoor brands and specialty retailers in an intimate, focused environment. The inaugural Cascade Summit Show is set to take place February 4-6, 2026, at the Premier Gear & Machine Works building in northwest Portland.

Founded by industry veterans Gilad Nachmani of Minimal Gear and Whitney La Ruffa of Black Dog Outdoors, the Cascade Summit Show recognizes the need for stripped-down exhibition services for smaller brands with smaller budgets in the outdoor trade show landscape. After years of exhibiting at major industry shows, the duo recognized that small brands often get lost in massive convention halls and are unable to afford prominent booths or compete for buyer attention.

“We wanted to create a show that was affordable and accessible for emerging brands and reflects the ethos of cottage brand founders – people who wear many hats and roll up their sleeves and get things done,” said La Ruffa. “The Cascade Summit Show puts the focus on the products and the people behind them.”

Cascade Summit simplifies booth space through intentional design choices:

• Brand cap: Only brands with less than $5 million in annual revenue are eligible to exhibit
• Standardized booths: Each exhibitor receives a 10′ x 10′ space, 6′ table, and two chairs. No upgrades available
• Sliding scale pricing: Booth fees range from $800 (for brands under $500K revenue) to $3,000 (for brands between $2-5M)
• Buyer commitment: A $50 registration fee demonstrates buyer dedication to discovering new brands

The show spans three distinct days:

• February 4-5: Exclusive B2B days for meetings between brands and specialty retailers
• February 6: Direct-to-consumer day, opening the show to local outdoor enthusiasts

Participation in the Cascade Summit Show includes daily lunch, coffee service, and evening happy hours featuring local breweries and non-alcoholic beverage brands. Discounted hotel rates will be available through local partners, with lodging arrangements left flexible to accommodate varying budgets.

The show aims to attract 100-150 exhibiting brands and 150-300 specialty retail buyers, creating an environment where meaningful connections can flourish. Outdoor media outlets will be on hand to spotlight innovative products and brands disrupting the traditional marketplace.

For exhibitor applications and buyer registration, visit www.cascadesummitshow.com.

About Cascade Summit Show

Cascade Summit Show is an independent trade show focused exclusively on small and emerging outdoor brands. Founded by outdoor industry veterans Gilad Nachmani and Whitney La Ruffa in Portland, Oregon, the show creates an equitable platform for cottage brands to connect with specialty retailers and consumers. www.cascadesummitshow.com.

Media Contact:
Whitney La Ruffa, Cascade Summit Show
whitney@cascadesummitshow.com

503.545.2613