The biggest exhibition of its kind in Canada, the Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show has products, information and presentations on a variety of fun activities.
The 2023 edition of the event is on the Saturday and Sunday of March 4th and 5th. As always, the event takes place in conjunction with the BC Bike Show which happens every year at the same time at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
BC SPORTSMEN’S SHOW IN ABBOTSFORD
On the same weekend as the event at the convention centre in downtown Vancouver, a similar event happens at TRADEX in Abbotsford. The BC Sportsmen’s Show claims to be British Columbia’s largest event for fishing, hunting, boating and other outdoor activities. It takes place on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of March 3rd to 5th.
Vancouver’s Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show
An annual exhibition of all things related to Outdoor Recreation, the Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show has a wide range of displays to explore. Not only are there informational presentations on travel destinations all around the world, but there are retailers showcasing the latest in equipment and tech design.
Things you’ll normally see at the show are tents, camping equipment, kayaks, surfboards, paddleboards and information booths with representatives from different travel organizations and adventure tour operators. There are also stages where presentations about different adventure travel-related subjects take place.
The trade show is also interactive with activities available for all ages. The biggest exhibit is an indoor climbing wall open for anyone that wants to try. There is also a Junior Outdoor Adventurers Zone full of things for kids to enjoy.
The show runs on the weekend of March 4th and 5th in 2023.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN WHISTLER!
If you like exciting outdoor recreational activities, then check out The Adventure Group in Whistler. They offer Snowmobiling Tours, RZR All-Terrain-Vehicle Tours, Ziplining opportunities, Ropes Course adventures and all kinds of other fun stuff! The same venue is where you’ll also find the Vallea Lumina light walk attraction.
For The Adventure Group’s official website click tagwhistler.com.
Location and Admission
The Outdoor Adventure & Trade Show is held at the Vancouver Convention Centre which is located at 999 Canada Place in downtown Vancouver. The event happens in the Canada Place part of the convention centre – the building with giant white sails on its roof – not in the newer building with all the glass windows.
The show takes place at the same time and in the same building as the BC Bike Show. The two events are partners; in fact, buying admission to one also gives you free access to the other. One of the events takes place in one half of a giant hall at Canada Place and the other event happens in the other half.
The hours of operation for both trade shows are usually from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on the Saturday and from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on the Sunday.
Admission rates when purchased online in advance in 2023 are below. Prices on the day at the gate are about $1 more.
- Adults (ages 18 to 59): $14
- Seniors (ages 60+): $12
- Youth (ages 12 to 17): $12
- Children (ages 11 and under): Free
You can also buy a weekend pass for $18. That gives you full access to the shows on both days. The cost for the weekend pass is the same regardless of age (with children younger than 12 still free).
Exhibitions and Activities
In terms of categories, the Outdoor Adventure & Trade Show is divided into nine different areas (not including the BC Bike Show which takes place in the same giant hall). About half of them are about travel and vacations, like the International Adventure Travel Zone and Explore Canada.
In the various areas you’ll find representatives from popular travel destinations from across a variety of places, ready to educate you on what is on offer in terms of travel and vacation ideas.
At the event there are also manufacturers and retailers on hand for those looking to bolster their own arsenals of gear. Different zones include Camping Showcase, Paddlers’ Paradise, the US Pavilion, and Scuba and Caribbean Adventures. There’s also the Health & Wellness Zone which focuses on nutrition, workouts and other ways to stay fit.
For those looking to test their climbing mettle, there is a 30-foot-tall Rock Wall available on-site. Anyone who wants can try it for free. There are specific kid-oriented parts to the wall as well. And for the younger ones there is a Kids’ Bike Camp available. Children can tackle some small obstacles with professional guides helping them along the way.
ROPES COURSE ADVENTURES
A great place for outdoor adventures in the Lower Mainland is at WildPlay in Maple Ridge. They have amazing ropes courses and ziplines! WildPlay wasn’t at the trade show in 2022, but they offer exceptional outdoor adventure opportunities right here in the Lower Mainland. (TIP: Use the promo code VBP15 and save 15%.)
Adventure and Travel Presentations
Another key part of the Outdoor Adventure & Trade Show is the array of presentations on any number of outdoor recreational topics. There is the Best of Canada Adventures Stage and the International Travel Theatre, both of which provide interactive seminars on travelling and outdoor adventures from a variety of sources.
Some of the presentations in 2022 included Yukon 101, Newfoundland – Isolated and Exotic, What to Expect on an African Safari, Explore the Galapagos Islands, 2022’s Hottest Travel Trends and many more. Details about 2023 presentations are to be confirmed.
Other Information
For more information about the event visit the Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show website. To learn about the biking-themed event that takes place at the same place on the same days, see our article about the BC Bike Show.
Other articles that might be of interest include the following:
- Outdoor Recreation in Vancouver
- Vancouver Parks and Nature
- Vancouver Festivals and Events
- Camping in the Lower Mainland
