June 19, 2025 – The 360 Adventure Collective concluded its New England Summer Expo this week, drawing a strong mix of independent retailers and top outdoor brands to the Doubletree Expo Hall & Armory in Manchester, New Hampshire. Held from June 17 to 19, the event showcased rugged, performance-oriented gear designed for men’s outdoor lifestyles, including products focused on paddlesports, hiking, survival, and technical wear.
Unlike large-scale trade shows, this expo maintained an appointment-driven, open-booth format that emphasized relationship-building and in-depth gear exploration. Attendees were invited to participate in guided product demonstrations and hands-on workshops, giving buyers the opportunity to experience equipment functionality firsthand. From testing high-end paddles and inflatable kayaks to adjusting lightweight backcountry shelters and survival tools, the event prioritized real-time product engagement.
Top-tier outdoor brands used the platform to unveil new gear with performance specifications geared toward male adventurers. The strong presence of GPS-based survival equipment, endurance-rated hiking packs, and moisture-wicking trail apparel illustrated a rising demand for gear that can withstand demanding environments. Retailers from across New England and the East Coast used the opportunity to place exclusive wholesale orders and establish or deepen partnerships with vendors offering regionally relevant gear.
Stacey Gellert, Executive Director of the 360 Adventure Collective, emphasized the importance of these regional events, noting that smaller, more focused expos allow for better connection between retailers and sales reps. She described the format as a meaningful alternative to large, impersonal trade shows, where face-to-face time is often limited.
The event also reflected broader shifts in the outdoor retail landscape. There is an increasing focus on niche markets, with male consumers driving growth in high-durability gear categories such as paddlesports and survival accessories. As more men seek equipment that balances performance with minimalist design and function, brands are responding with product lines that cater directly to these needs.
Industry observers point to the rise of specialized expos like this one as essential to fostering innovation and market alignment. The 360 Adventure Collective, which operates as a nonprofit coalition of outdoor sales representatives, hosts multiple regional shows throughout the year. These events are designed to strengthen the ecosystem of independent specialty retailers by providing a streamlined path to discover and purchase emerging gear in categories aligned with their customer base.
The New England Summer Expo also serves as a precursor to future events on the 360AC calendar, including the Fall and Winter shows, which will focus on seasonal gear transitions. While this expo was closed to the public, its impact on buying patterns and product placement for the upcoming seasons will be visible across outdoor retail stores catering to male adventurers.
The conclusion of the event reaffirms a clear trend: the demand for men’s performance-oriented adventure gear is growing, and regional, interactive trade platforms are playing a crucial role in connecting retailers with the next generation of products designed to meet that need.