The Outlet Marketing Alliance (OMA) and Shop America Alliance LLC (SAA) have announced plans for the inaugural USA Outlet Shopping Festival, a national event designed to promote outlet shopping throughout the USA. The Festival will run for 4 days, Friday through Monday, beginning in May 24-27, 2013, U.S. Memorial Day weekend.  Organizers are planning to develop this into an annual event showcasing outlet centers and top name brand outlet retailers. For complete details visit OutletFestival.com.

The Festival objectives are to raise awareness of the appeal of outlet shopping and to produce incremental sales both during the event and thereafter.  As a kick-off to the summer tourism season, the USA Outlet Shopping Festival will also promote outlet shopping as a popular tourism activity. 

Tour operators and travel partners can capitalize on this event to develop shopping/travel packages and day trips that appeal to this lucrative tourist market.  The Festival includes a variety of special offers, savings and entertaining events that are great incentives to encourage travel to a broad range of destinations.

Shopping and dining are the top tourism activities in America, as tracked by the U.S. Department of Commerce/Office of Travel & Tourism Industries and U.S. Travel Association.  Outlet Centers are currently the fastest growing segment of US shopping center industry according to data tracked by Value Retail News and the International Council of Shopping Centers. OutletBound.com, the leading outlet center web site and sponsor of the Festival, features more than 200 US outlet shopping centers located in 42 states, many of which will participate in the Festival.

During the USA Outlet Shopping Festival, domestic and international shoppers and travelers worldwide will be invited to visit outlet centers and shop outlet retailers to enjoy special savings and promotions. Shoppers spending $150 or more on their MasterCard® cards at these outlets during the Festival will receive tote bags at participating locations along with special discount offers.

To generate excitement leading up to and during the Festival, the Outlet Shopping Festival Contest featuring prizes including a Coach Bag from Fashion Outlets Las Vegas and $250 Shopping Sprees at Tommy Hilfiger or Puma Outlets throughout the USA will run from May 1 – May 27.  Contest details are available at www.Facebook.com/shop.america.club. No purchase is required. The contest is open to all US residents 21 or older.

The official USA Outlet Shopping Festival web site, www.OutletFestival.com is the portal for all festival information, packages, sponsors and special offers.  Participating tour operators and travel partners are invited to register for free marketing kits including use of the official Festival Tool Kit graphics in their email, online, social media and all other event promotions.  Shop America Tours is promoting its many special Outlet packages with major tour operators. 

Outlet Marketing Alliance (OMA) is a group of leading outlet industry retailers and developers focused on creating enhanced marketing and sales opportunities for the outlet industry. OMA meetings are held several times annually in NYC.

Shop America Alliance LLC (SAA) is the travel trade organization representing hundreds of the premier shopping tourism destinations, retailers, shopping centers, museum stores and outlets in North America. Founded in 1998 and focused on tourism, Shop America Alliance co-produces the annual ONE Travel Conference, SASI-ONE Awards and The Cultural Traveler guide, publishes Shop America Magazine and markets more than 175 Shop America Tours in 40 cities. For more information ShopAmericaTours@aol.com or call 707-224-3795 or visit OutletFestival.com.

USA Outlet Shopping Festival 2013 Planning Committee

•AWE Talisman—Fashion Outlets Niagara Falls, Fashion Outlets Chicago, Fashion Outlets Las Vegas and Fashion Outlets Santa Fe-- Ann Ackerman

•Craig Realty Group:  Citadel Outlets, Outlets at Cabazon, Woodburn Company Stores, Outlets at Anthem, Outlets of Colorado and more-- Peggy Ziglin

•Creative Marketing Solutions-- Anita Boeker

•Horizon Group Properties – Gina Slechta

•OutletBound.com – Randy Marks

•Outlet Marketing Alliance and EWB Development representing Vero Beach Outlets, Casino Outlets at Tunica, Northwest Outlets and more-- Lisa Wagner

•The Outlet Shops of Grand River-- Christine Szalay

•Puma – Kendra Spencer

•Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH-- Amber Cacali

•Shop America Alliance-- Rosemary McCormick

•TaxFree Shopping Texas-- Carolyn Petty
Tommy Hilfiger-- Michele Frankshun