Just for the parks

Plenty of buying events feature products that might appeal to park store buyers, but the annual Public Lands Alliance Convention and Trade Show features a buying component that offers merchandise that fits in almost any park or public lands store.

The Public Lands Alliance offers a trade show featuring exhibitors whose products are sold in parks and public lands retail outlets that are operated by nonprofit organizations.

Greta Miller, executive director of the Shenandoah National Park Association, says she likes to attend the trade show to learn about new styles, trends and vendors. At the most recent event, March 4-8 in San Francisco, Miller says she found out about a vendor called Windowgems. “They’re things you put on your windows to keep birds from flying in,” she says. “They kind of sparkle and glow. We’re giving those a try.”

The next Public Lands Alliance Convention and Trade Show is Feb. 2-6, 2025, in Las Vegas.