The Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show

is a specialty trade show dedicated to providing products, services, opportunities, awareness, and education to Alaskans wishing to get the most out of their Alaskan outdoor experience. A rite of spring in the Mat-Su Valley for more than 25 years, the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show provides an opportunity for thousands of outdoor enthusiasts to explore products and visit with great vendors focused on Alaskan outdoor pursuits.

Exhibitor space at the Menard Center is limited. MATSU Events LLC reserves the right to limit vendor participation at this event to businesses or organizations directly involved in promoting Alaskan outdoor interests.
All businesses are welcome to apply for exhibitor space, however, priority will be given to businesses aligned with the theme of the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show. Unrelated vendor applications will be kept on file, and if space is still available one month prior to the show, booth assignments will be made at that time.

The Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show is scheduled for the weekend of April 9, 10 & 11, 2027 (Friday-Sunday) at the Menard Sports and Recreation Center in Wasilla, Alaska. There are two large indoor vendor display arenas: the hockey rink (concrete floor, free of ice), and the soccer field (AstroTurf flooring), plus a large vendor area on the second floor overlooking the ice rink. Display space in the upstairs mezzanine is available as well. Outdoor areas are also available for vendors and food trucks. Refer to the vendor map links on this page for booth layouts. 

10’ x 10’  indoor booths: $595

10’ x 8’ indoor booths: $545

Mezzanine tables: $350

Outdoor food trucks: $350

Outdoor bulk display areas: $1.75/SF 

Please contact us with your display requirements to discuss.

The mezzanine area, upstairs between the turf field and the ice rink, has vendor tables for those who may not require a full-sized booth.

There are a few things you need to keep in mind about the mezzanine spaces:

• A 72″ x 18″ (six-foot by one-and-a-half foot) table is provided.
• Pipes and 8’ back drapes are included – handy if you want to hang a sign or banner.
• Side drapes between tables are not provided.
• Electricity is NOT provided on the mezzanine.
• In compliance with fire safety requirements, tables and chairs must remain against the back drapes.
• Be aware that portions of the floor are not level and have about a 2 ½° slope.

Food Vendor Mix

We restrict the total number of food vendors as well as vendors selling the same type of food if it is deemed that a vendor’s primary product would unfairly dilute the sales of other registered vendors with the same product specialty.

Food Vendor Location

Food vendors are located in and around the parking area in front of the main entrance to the Menard Center.  Electrical hookups are not available, but generators may be used. Indoor spaces for food vendors are not provided.

Insurance and Permits

As a food vendor, you are required to provide a certificate of insurance with MATSU Events LLC additionally insured as certificate holder. You are also required to have an appropriate DEC permit, as well as State, Borough, and City licensing.

Vendors returning from the 2026 show have grandfather rights until May 31, 2026 to register if they wish to return to their same location.

Note: New in 2027, we have added one additional row of booths in both the ice rink and the turf field. Some of the booth sizes have been reduced from 10’ wide x 10’ deep to 10’ wide x 8’ deep to accommodate the additional row. Be sure to check the vendor map for changes.

While some exhibitors prefer to return to the same space, don’t be afraid to mix it up! Visitors who see the same exhibitors, year after year, in the same location, tend to think (incorrectly) that it is ‘just the same old show.’ Your returning customers will still find you!

Beginning June 1, booth selection is available on a first come/first serve basis. If you are a new vendor registering prior to June 1, or if you are a returning vendor wishing to reserve a different space, please specify your booth choice location preferences on the application form. The online vendor maps are updated as vendors register.

Booth locations and floor layouts are subject to change We will make an effort to space vendors so you are not located in close proximity to other vendors offering competing products or services.

Booth furnishings are NOT provided!

You are responsible for your own booth decoration and furniture including chairs, tables, signs, carpeting, etc. If you prefer to rent items such as tables, tablecloths, chairs, carpeting, plants, or other items, please contact our show decorators, Special Events Alaska, (907) 357-7368 or info@specialeventsalaska.com.

Indoor booth spaces, 10×10 or 10×8, consist of pipes and drapes separating you from adjacent booths. (8’ high back drape, and 3’ side drapes). Metal “S hooks” are provided if you wish to hang anything from the booth pipes.

Mezzanine spaces consist of a 72″ x 18″ table and one chair, however, electricity is not available on the mezzanine.

A 500 watt electrical outlet is provided at no additional charge for all exhibitor booths on the main floor and in the ice rink overlook area.

Electricity is NOT available in the mezzanine or in outside display areas.

Some small businesses may wish to share their space with another small business.  All space sharing must be approved in advance by Show management.

Everyone is working under a tight budget, and we understand that.  You may reserve a booth with as little as a $50.00 (non-refundable) deposit per booth.  The remaining balance is due 30 days prior to the show.  Booth payment is required in full if you register less than 30 days prior to the event.

Plans sometimes change.  You may cancel anytime up to two weeks prior to the start of the show, and your booth fee will be refunded, less a $50.00 cancellation fee.  Any cancellations after March 26, 2027 are non-refundable.

We live in interesting times, and we certainly hope that we are not hit with a surprise closing as happened to the Mat-Su Outdoorsman show and so many other large events in 2020.  If the show is cancelled for reasons beyond our control, all rental fees and deposits will be promptly returned.

Regular adult show admission is $10 per person. Military with ID is $5, and children under 12 are free.

Visitor admission is FREE  on Sunday from 10:00 am – 11:00 am.

Yes! All exhibitors are required to be in compliance with state and local business regulations.  As an Alaskan business, you are required to have a State of Alaska business license. Food vendors must have valid food handler’s permit and DEC permit if applicable.

The Menard Center is owned by the City of Wasilla, and it is located within the Wasilla City boundaries. Per City code, you are required to have a Wasilla business license or permit if you are exhibiting at the Show. This license or permit MUST be in place with the City of Wasilla by no later than March 12, 2027. This requirement is mandatory, regardless of whether or not you are actually selling products or services at the show.

THE WASILLA BUSINESS LICENSE OR PERMIT REQUIREMENT IS NOT OPTIONAL.  In lieu of an annual business license, Wasilla offers a 7-day Special Event Permit for a minimal charge. This requirement extends to nonprofits, however Wasilla does not charge for nonprofit permits. Government agencies are exempt. Wasilla business license and sales tax details are online at https://www.cityofwasilla.gov/458/Business-Licensing

Small businesses should carry business liability insurance.  We request that vendors provide a certificate of insurance with MATSU Events LLC additionally insured as certificate holder.  As stated in the terms of the space rental agreement, neither MATSU Events LLC, the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show, the Sponsors, the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center, nor any member of the above, shall be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage that may occur to the Exhibitor, an Exhibitor’s employee, or the property thereof, from any cause whatsoever.

We have security staff onsite during all show hours.  The Menard Center is closed and locked at night.  Because there are a number of outdoor vendors, we have security staff patrolling outside the Menard Center Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. That being said, MATSU Events is not liable for your property or inventory, and we recommend that you take appropriate precautions to secure your property and provide your own business insurance.

As a vendor, you must maintain a safe environment in and around your booth. Per the Borough Fire Marshall, you are required to have a current fire extinguisher at your booth with a rating of 2A:10B:C or larger if you have a vehicle or a covered display.  Keep in mind that no display materials or signage may obstruct or block exit isles, exit doors, or exit signage.

Of course! You are welcomed and encouraged to have drawings or give away items at the show. (Holding a drawing for free items is a great way to collect names, numbers and email addresses to help your business marketing efforts!)  Raffles (where you sell numbered tickets for a chance to win) fall under State gaming regulations and are allowed, providing you have the appropriate Alaska State gaming permit.

As promoters, our job is to bring in the largest crowd possible to safely visit your booth.  We run targeted social media promotions throughout Southcentral Alaska in the months and weeks leading up to the show.  During the month prior to the show, we running local radio and television advertising.  We also place posters in windows and on bulletin boards all over Mat-Su and Anchorage. 

Almost everyone these days is connected on social media, particularly Facebook and Instagram. Many small businesses rely on social media as an economical way of interacting with their customers. The Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show has thousands of social media followers, and we use these platforms to help promote the show. If we know that your business is on Facebook, we will post blurbs about your business on the Outdoorsman Show pages. During the month prior to the show, a portion of our advertising budget then goes to “boosting” these posts out to a broad audience of thousands of potential show visitors. These boosted posts help promote the show generally, and they help promote your business specifically. The show’s popularity experiences exponential organic growth when you mention it in your own social media posts. As a group effort, all vendors can help by sharing, posting, and tagging the Outdoorsman Show through your personal accounts and business pages.

Corporate sponsorships are win/win. Your financial support helps us defray show promotion expenses, and we are able to help you by including your logo in our marketing materials and media advertising, by linking to your websites, and by running partner promotions on social media. Contact us for details if you are interested in sponsoring or partnering with this event!

We will keep this page updated as the details come together.  In the meantime, if you have more questions, we’re only a phone call or email away. Please feel free to contact MATSU Events anytime at 907-947-9900 or via email at info@matsuevents.com!