​​Paddlesports Trade Coalition’s 2025 Colab Event Moves to Charlotte for Expanded Industry Gathering​​

The ​​Paddlesports Trade Coalition​​’s flagship annual event, ​​Colab 2025​​, is set to take place from ​​October 15–19​​ at the ​​U.S. National Whitewater Center​​ in ​​Charlotte, North Carolina​​—a world-class venue that will simultaneously host the ​​American Canoe Association (ACA)’s 145th anniversary celebration​​. This marks a strategic shift from ​​Oklahoma City​​, the location of the inaugural 2024 Colab and previous ​​Paddlesports Retailer trade shows (2017–2019)​​.

In partnership with ​​ACA PaddleFest​​, Colab 2025 will elevate its offerings with:

​​Industry Insights​​: Informative sessions, roundtables, and product showcases.
​​Hands-On Experiences​​: On-water demos and competitions, including the ​​National Slalom and Kayak Cross Championships​​.
​​Professional Development​​: The ​​Swiftwater Rescue Conference​​, instructor training updates, and the ​​ACA Silent Auction​​.
By merging with ACA PaddleFest, the event aims to attract a wider audience of ​​retailers, instructors, and paddlesports enthusiasts​​, fostering collaboration and innovation across the industry.