Oct. 10, 2024– Seattle, Wash. – Astral is proud to introduce its latest GreenJacket LE™ in collaboration with whitewater legend Dave Fusilli. This limited edition jacket is about enjoying the river with everyone, rolling deep, and being supportive of each other’s dreams, similar to a wolf pack. Featuring motifs of wolves, waterfalls, and the ‘Brown Claw’, this is Astral’s 15th limited edition life jacket since 2009. The LE collection represents a unique effort to push the limits of innovation at the intersection of performance, design, and creativity alongside athletes, artists, and nonprofits.

This collaboration GreenJacket LE™, available in a Demshitz Purple colorway, is inspired by Fusilli’s desire to celebrate the whitewater community, who have supported his journey and goals as a kayaker. “This LE represents my journey as a whitewater kayaker,” said Fusilli. “The wolf explains a lot about how I became the paddler I am today. I couldn’t have done it without the help and support from my pack of friends. Do not underestimate what just a little bit of help can provide for someone who is motivated.”

Fusilli adds, “The star shines on the mountains, where snow melts into the rivers that run through the valley. After such a journey, which many of us kayakers can relate to, you probably have a change in your perspective. Such great experiences may make you see things differently, which is represented by the 3rd eye of the wolf. I think it’s so important to try to see things from the other side.”

Alaska-based artist and pilot, Meg Smith adds that “When Dave called me to design this LE, I was more than hyped! To create a meaningful piece of wearable art for a longtime friend who has done so much for a sport I love has been an honor and one of my favorite projects.” The LE is Smith’s second collaborative LE design with Astral. “I’ve always viewed Dave as being part of a Wolfpack and him being an Alpha. Demshitz always rolled in a posse. No matter when yinz have come and gone through the wolfpack, yinz are always family to him. I love that about Dave.”

The GreenJacket LE™ available in Demshitz Purple shares the same platform, architecture, and features as the industry-leading GreenJacket™ Rescue PFD. It is available online at astraldesigns.com and at select retailers.

Astral will donate 5% of online sales of its latest GreenJacket LE™to RISE Erwin, a non-profit directly benefiting the rural communities at the intersection of the Nolichucky River and Appalachian Trail in Southern Appalachia that are beginning a long road to recovery after Hurricane Helene.

To check out the full history of the Astral LE, please visit: https://explore.astraldesigns.com/history-of-greenjacket-le/

For more information on Astral, please visit www.astraldesigns.com.

ABOUT ASTRAL
Established in 2002, Astral designs high performance wilderness equipment created in the least toxic, lowest impact ways. Built on decades of experience and experimentation, Astral has assembled athletes, artists, and craftspeople to build the cleanest, most beautiful, and highest performing gear. Astral has significantly reduced toxic PVC foam from the PFD industry, invented breathable life jackets, won awards for their paradigm changing footwear designs, and developed the stickiest rubber ever worn on wet rock. Visit www.astraldesigns.com for more information.

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Media Contact:
Max Akselrad | Verde Brand Communications | (917) 699-8491 | max@verdepr.com

Downloadable Studio Images

[Seattle, WA, October 10, 2024]— Continuing its mission of keeping outdoor gear and apparel in use longer, Nikwax, the international leader in PFAS-free technical cleaners and waterproofing products, has released Footwear Refresh. The latest product in its Refresh line, Footwear Refresh is a high-powered deodorizing cleaner designed to freshen and prevent odor build-up in all non-waterproof footwear and insoles.

A build-up of sweat, body oils and dirt encourage the growth of bacteria, causing smelly footwear and decomposition of materials and stitching. Cleaning sandals, sports shoes/boots and footbeds with Footwear Refresh prevents bacterial growth, helping footwear last longer and smell better. Works great on running shoes, sandals, climbing shoes, ski boot liners, insoles, Crocs, etc. Like all Nikwax products, Footwear Refresh is PFAS-free, water-based and non-persistent. All bottles and lids are made from 100% recycled plastic and are recyclable. Offered in a 4.2 ounce bottle with a pump application, Footwear Refresh will be available in the US and Canada.

”Our focus at Nikwax has always been to ensure that the gear you invest in lasts a long time; whether it’s a rain jacket, tent, or hiking boots,” said Nikwax CEO, Brian Davidson. “Non-waterproof active footwear like sandals, running shoes, and climbing shoes can degrade prematurely due to odor and bacterial buildup and a general lack of care. Footwear Refresh helps clean, deodorize, and extend the life of active footwear. With the addition of Footwear Refresh to the Refresh line, we are pleased to have more solutions for our customers and retailers for a broader range of year-round activities.”

Footwear Refresh:

• Cleans effectively and eliminates persistent odors.
• Extends the life of footwear.
• Contains no PFAS, is water-based and non-persistent.
• Recommended for running and gym shoes, sandals, Birkenstocks, insoles, climbing shoes and all other non-waterproof footwear.

About Nikwax

Founded in 1977, Nikwax is the trusted global leader in environmentally safe cleaning and waterproofing solutions that extend the performance life of outdoor clothing, footwear, and equipment. The brand also supplies top-performing PFAS-free hydrophobic down and DWR applications for outdoor brands. Nikwax’s 47-year commitment to clean chemistry means never using PFAS or aerosols, and not testing on animals. Its product line is water-based and non-persistent, and all product bottles and lids are made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic that can also be recycled. Nikwax has carbon balanced all 47 years of its operations and became an employee-owned trust in 2022. For media inquiries and more information, please contact Kate Ketschek at Revolution House Media, kate@revolutionhousemedia.com.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (October 10, 2024) — Moultrie, the leading innovator in trail camera and feeder technology, has teamed up with First Lite to offer the popular Edge 2 series cell cameras in Specter™ Camo. This partnership merges the bold essence of Moultrie and MeatEater (owners of First Lite) into a camera that equips hunters with the critical intel they need to succeed in the field.

“This camera project with First Lite has been in the works for two years, and we’re thrilled to launch it today,” said Daniel Wilson, Moultrie’s General Manager. “This collaboration helps fully bring to life our partnership with the MeatEater team. Nothing showcases the innovation both of our brands bring to the hunting community more than the Edge 2 in First Lite’s Spectre.”

The Edge 2 and Edge 2 Pro cameras are built for the connected hunter, combining advanced cellular technology, superior image clarity, and a range of smart features designed to improve scouting efficiency and hunting strategy. Now, with the First Lite Specter™ camouflage pattern, Moultrie takes concealment to the next level, ensuring these devices blend seamlessly into a variety of environments, making them virtually undetectable to both wildlife and human eyes alike.

“Moultrie is a name I grew up with and I’ve used their cameras in the past with great success,” says Janis Putelis, MeatEater Director and Executive Producer. “The Edge 2 models are even easier to use and reliable. My favorite features are the lack of an SD card and getting videos delivered through a cellular connection. I get great scouting info from Wisconsin while I’m in Montana, 1,200 miles away.”

The Moultrie Edge 2 ($99.99) and Edge 2 Pro ($139.99) cameras in First Lite Specter™ are available starting today at MoultrieProducts.com and themeateater.com. For more information about Moultrie, their cameras, and the Moultrie Mobile app, please visit http://www.MoultrieProducts.com/.

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About Moultrie

Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Moultrie is the leader in deer feeders and cellular trail camera innovation, building products used by hunters, property owners, and others for real-time remote monitoring. Moultrie is a business unit of PRADCO Outdoor Brands. PRADCO’s hunting brands include Ani-Logics, Whitetail Institute, Texas Hunter, Summit, Knight & Hale, and Code Blue. PRADCO Fishing manufactures and markets products for freshwater and saltwater anglers under 20+ brands, including Rebel, YUM, BOOYAH, War Eagle Custom Lures, Great Lakes Finesse, and Bomber.

LANDER, Wyo. (Oct. 10, 2024) – Maven Outdoor Equipment Company, a Wyoming-based direct-to-consumer brand known for offering world-class optics at affordable prices, has expanded its award-winning line of CRS riflescopes known for their exceptional value with the new CRS.3.

The CRS.3 is the latest entry to Maven’s CRS riflescope series. The CRS.3 features the same extra-low dispersion (ED) glass found in Maven’s award-winning C series of optics. As a result, the CRS.3 features an exceptionally clear, high-contrast image at a competitive price.

“We designed the CRS.3 as a seamless continuation to our CRS riflescope series,” said Brendon Weaver, Co-Founder and Head of Design/Marketing for Maven. “The CRS.3 features a higher magnification range and a larger objective lens for longer range or low-light situations, offering a more complete series of riflescopes.”

The CRS.3 features a 4x-20x magnification range, and a first focal plane reticle paired with a large 50mm objective lens suitable for prime-time, low-light functionality. Available in both MOA and MIL reticle options, the CRS.3 features an illuminated SHR-W or SHR-MIL reticle. At 15.37 inches long and weighing 27.27 ounces, the CRS.3 is the most powerful entry into the CRS series yet.

The Maven CRS.3 riflescope ($700) is now available at www.mavenbuilt.com. Like all Maven products, the CRS.3 is covered by an unconditional lifetime warranty.

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About Maven

Maven is a Wyoming-based direct-to-consumer brand known for offering world-class optics at affordable prices. By cutting out the middleman and selling directly to the consumer, the company eliminates retail markups and is, therefore, able to produce affordable products using best-in-class components. The result is high-quality optics offered at an exceptional value and covered by a lifetime warranty.

Media Contacts

Buck Martin, Backbone Media

buck.martin@backbone.media

(970) 963-4873 ext. 1140

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (Oct. 9, 2024) — Ahead of the new ski season, POC, manufacturer of industry leading helmets, eyewear, protection and apparel, and Marco Odermatt, one of the best alpine ski racers in the world today, are proud to introduce a new signature-edition helmet, designed exclusively by Odermatt and POC, and developed for Odermatt to use during his non-competition days in the season.

The new helmet, Obex Pure Odermatt edition, represents a step away from the intensity of a race day and instead focuses on the days and moments in between competition — the days where the joy of skiing is simple and at its purest, enjoying the mountain, carving around the resort and exploring the backcountry.

“I started ski racing as I love to ski, pure and simple. And when I am not training for races, I still want to ski as it is inspiring and energizing,” Odermatt said. “Not needing an FIS race helmet for this type of skiing, I sat down with POC to create and design my ideal helmet for the days I am not racing against the clock, and the Obex Pure evokes all the freedom and joy that a day of skiing gives me.”

The Obex Pure joins existing Marco Odermatt signature collection pieces, which include the Skull Dura race helmet, Zonula and Fovea Clarity goggles as well as the Junior collection.

“The way Marco approaches skiing, his focus, his technique, his energy and his enthusiasm, are inspirational,” said Amber Stackhouse, Director of global sports marketing at POC. “Coupled with his astonishing consistency, it’s easy to understand his incredible string of results. But his love of skiing goes well beyond racing gates and it’s a feeling and reflection we wanted to capture in the Obex Pure Odermatt edition, which features his signature lion design.”

POC has been working closely with Marco for many years, and last year announced his first signature series goggle to sit alongside his race edition helmet and Junior race collection, all of which feature his own lion design.

“It’s easy to spot the lion on the helmet and it is a constant in the signature series,” Odermatt said. “It’s important to me because it has been a huge inspiration since I was a small kid as it is a symbol of power and agility. With the Obex Pure edition I hope that I can inspire and motivate even more skiers, regardless of race background, and encourage them to draw on the same power and agility that I have over the years.”

The Obex Pure Odermatt edition will retail for $170 in the U.S.

About POC

POC, a leading manufacturer of helmets, eyewear, protection and apparel, has been awarded more than 70 international safety, design, and innovation awards. Founded in 2004 in Sweden, POC’s mission is to protect lives and reduce the consequences of accidents for athletes and anyone inspired to be one. For more information, visit https://poc.com.

About Marco Odermatt

Marco Odermatt wasn’t just born to ski, he is skiing. At just 27 years old, Marco Odermatt is

already a legend in alpine skiing. His results speak for themselves. In his short career, he has earned over seventy World Cup podiums across three disciplines and has won the World Cup Overall the last three seasons. After the latest season, he has added four more Crystal Globes to his collection (now has nine in total), winning the cup in all three disciplines he competes in (DH, GS and SG). He is the reigning Giant Slalom and Downhill World Champion, as well as an Olympic Gold medalist. He also holds the world record for points collected in a season (2042 during the 22/23 season).

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BOULDER, Colo. (Oct. 9, 2024) – This year, Astronaut Foods is over the moon to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Astronaut Ice Cream, the out-of-this-world treat that has delighted taste buds and captured imaginations since its launch in 1974. To celebrate and honor this milestone, Astronaut Foods is having an Anniversary Sale and activating across the country at various space-related events, through campaigns and promotions that took place this summer and will continue into the fall.

In July and August, Astronaut Foods partnered with eight popular Colorado Trail hostels and other popular hiker stops to send a box of freeze-dried ice cream sandwiches to give to hikers who pass through as trail magic. This helped hikers celebrate Astronaut Foods and the Colorado Trail’s 50th anniversaries and gave them an unexpected, sweet treat to enjoy along their CT journey.

At the end of September, Astronaut Ice Cream activated at the Base 2 Space Race at the Space Needle in Seattle, Wash. (Sept. 29). More than 1,000 samples were given out to participants.

In October, Astronaut Foods will have its online Anniversary Sale from October 10-13, offering 30% off all products sitewide on the AstronautFoods.com website.  In late October, look out for an Astronaut Street Team around Boulder and Denver giving out freeze-dried ice cream sandwiches. You can catch them around the CU Boulder Football game on Oct. 26 and the Broncos vs Chiefs game on Oct. 27 in Denver.

In partnership with Vickie Kloeris who just published her book Space Bites: Reflections of a NASA Food Scientist, a limited number of her new books will also be gifted with purchase on the Astronaut Foods website in November.

Astronaut Foods is also a sponsor of the Chautauqua Space Series in Boulder, Colo. The series includes the following shows: Imaging the Storm-Tossed Winds of Outer Space (Oct. 2), Challenger and Hubble: Preventable Failures (Nov. 11), and Lucy in the Sky! NASA’s First Mission to the Trojan Asteroids (Dec. 2).

During the first half of the year, Astronaut Ice Cream kicked off its anniversary year by hosting educational sessions for cadets in the Azimuth Summer Space Program as part of the United States Air Force Academy on freeze-dried food technology and space exploration. At the start of the year, the company also earned the STEM.org Authenticated™ trustmark, a recognition that underscores its commitment to quality educational experiences through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). They also helped space lovers celebrate the Solar Eclipse in April with special Astronaut Foods-branded glasses, and put together a Space Food Survival Kit, which features one of each of Astronaut Food’s offerings; 4 ice cream sandwich flavors and 4 freeze-dried fruit packs.

Astronaut Foods is proud to be in its 3rd generation of family ownership with the Smith Family and looks forward to the next frontiers of space food and space travel and to see what the next 50 years bring for the Boulder-based company. To learn more about Astronaut Ice Cream’s history of out-of-this-world flavors and memories, check out the company’s history here.

For more information on Astronaut Foods, please visit https://astronautfoods.com.

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About Astronaut Foods

Founded in 1974 in conjunction with NASA and based in Boulder, Colorado, Astronaut Foods is the original source for freeze-dried ice cream — an out-of-this-world treat. Today, the company sells freeze-dried ice cream sandwiches and freeze-dried fruit. Astronaut Foods can be found in museums, toy shops, amusement parks and outdoor stores all across North America, Europe, and Asia. Additionally, Astronaut Foods is dedicated to supporting people and organizations whose goal is to push the boundaries of space exploration and discovery. For more information and a complete list of products, visit astronautfoods.com.

About American Outdoor Products

American Outdoor Products (AOP) is a food manufacturer located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Boulder, CO.  Established in 1951, American Outdoor Products remains an independent, privately held, family-owned, and operated company distributing products throughout the world. Inspired by a passion for unique cuisine and exciting adventures, the company produces Backpacker’s Pantry, adventure food for the outdoors; Astronaut Foods, out-of-this-world novelty treats; and Colorado Spice, all-natural and organic artisan spice blends. To learn more, visit: https://backpackerspantry.com

SALT LAKE CITY (Oct. 8, 2024) — Two groundbreaking Utah-based ski industry manufacturers, DPS Skis and PHANTOM Glide, announce the hire of two-time Olympic gold medalist Ted Ligety as head of product performance. Ligety will help develop DPS and PHANTOM Glide’s product lineups, working closely with senior vice president, Thomas Laakso, as well as DPS founder, Peter Turner. Further deepening his partnership, Ligety is also a shareholder in both brands and will act as an athlete and spokesperson for DPS and PHANTOM Glide.

“Ted Ligety is an American ski racing icon, and his skiing reputation is without question. Ted’s creativity, hunger for perfection, and insights into ski dynamics and design will elevate our product development,” says Laakso. “With his unparalleled expertise and passion for skiing, Ted will be a key component of notable upcoming brand partnerships where DPS will push the envelope of what’s possible in carbon ski design and manufacturing.”

A member of the U.S. Ski Team for 18 seasons, Ligety has 25 World Cup wins under his belt and is regarded as one of the best giant slalom skiers in ski racing history. Renowned for his technical prowess and innovative approach to alpine skiing, Ligety brings a wealth of knowledge from years of developing and testing race skis and innovating with his protection and eyewear company, SHRED. His expertise will be instrumental in creating high-performance skis that deliver exceptional carving and all-mountain capabilities for skiers seeking excitement and versatility on frontside terrain.

“Joining DPS Skis is an exciting new chapter for me. DPS has a rich history of innovation in carbon fiber ski manufacturing right here in Salt Lake City. The brand’s ability to produce prototypes in the morning that you can ski on in the afternoon is unheard of in the ski industry,” says Ligety. “DPS has been marrying revolutionary ski designs with advanced carbon fiber constructions for some time. But now, we’re taking that history of innovation and combining it with new ways of manufacturing to create the best-performing and longest-lasting skis.”

Ligety will support in refining DPS’ current product offering while also helping to develop the next generation of DPS skis. With new carbon production processes and performance testing on the horizon, DPS is poised for a new chapter of ski design and manufacturing, all from the brand’s headquarters at the foot of Utah’s Wasatch Mountains.

“Ted’s commitment to excellence and his forward-thinking approach makes him the perfect addition to our team,” says Turner. “With our state-of-the-art manufacturing and engineering capabilities combined with Ted’s expertise, we are confident that our strengthened product team will allow us to take our ski designs to the next level of frontside, backside and backcountry performance.”

For information on DPS or PHANTOM Glide, please contact PR manager Ryan Silven at ryan.silven@rygr.us.

About DPS Skis: Located at the base of the Wasatch Mountains in Salt Lake City, Utah, DPS designs the world’s most advanced ski products by fusing space-age carbon technology with groundbreaking shapes. DPS is responsible for the world’s first and only pure pre-impregnated carbon fiber sandwich ski, the first 120mm-waisted powder pintail, the first rockered ski with sidecut, and PHANTOM, a paradigm-shifting permanent, one-time application base-coating that forever eliminates the need for waxing skis and snowboards. DPS products are sold on five continents and are the trusted brand of choice for serious skiers worldwide. www.dpsskis.com

About PHANTOM Glide:

Developed by a team of expert chemists and material science engineers, PHANTOM Glide’s patent-pending formula creates a hydrophobic environment that offers three undeniable benefits. First, unlike topical wax, PHANTOM Glide is only applied once and permanently alters the chemistry of ski and board bases to improve baseline glide for the life of the product. Second, PHANTOM Glide offers consistently fast on-snow gliding performance across a broad range of conditions and temperatures. Third, and most importantly, PHANTOM Glide is made up of non-reactive chemical functional groups that are both inert to the environment and safe to those applying it. For more on PHANTOM Glide visit dpsskis.com/phantom.

Media Contact: 

Ryan Silven

Ryan.silven@rygr.us

970-924-0704 ext. 2114

Morrisville, Vt. (Oct 8, 2024) – Outdoor headwear and accessories brand, Turtle Fur is pleased to add a new Chief Financial Officer, Senior Merchandiser, Controller, and Director of Business Development to the team as part of the company’s mission to invest in their growth.

Cambria Schmidt, Chief Financial Officer, brings nearly 20 years of experience in the outdoor industry to Turtle Fur from her time developing high-functioning teams and managing international operations at Pacific Market International and Superfeet. Schmidt also currently serves as a board member of Cascade Designs. In her new role with Turtle Fur, she will be responsible for implementing the systems and processes necessary to support the company’s accelerated growth plans.

“I was drawn to Turtle Fur’s people and workplace culture, and its commitment to using business as a force for good as evidenced by its B Corp certification,” says Schmidt. “Building on that great legacy, we have some exciting opportunities ahead as we look to grow the business and expand our brand presence. I feel energized leading teams through change.”

Sarah Amrhein, Senior Merchandiser, has accumulated over 15 years of experience in e-commerce and retail in the outdoor industry. She has driven exceptional top-line and margin growth at Outdoor Research and Sitka Gear by building meaningful merchandise assortments to keep consumers engaged and enthusiastic. At Turtle Fur, Amrhein will be focused on creating data-driven merchandising strategies, improving the customer experience on digital channels, supporting the GTM process, creating sales and forecasting plans, and managing inventory. Amrhein believes Turtle Fur is at a pivotal point in its trajectory and is appreciative of being part of a talented team.

JP Yanus, Controller, spent nine years at Keurig Dr. Pepper, where he served in various roles including processing all things accounts payable, leading their accounts payable team, assisting with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation, and managing all accounting responsibilities for multiple foreign subsidiaries during their global expansion. Since then, Yanus has worked as a controller for an investor-backed startup as well as another start-up looking to raise capital, where he was instrumental in establishing accounting and HR processes. He will be responsible for managing the day-to-day accounting activities at Turtle Fur. Yanus was drawn to Turtle Fur because its B Corp status reflects the brand’s commitment to living up to its core values. He looks forward to helping the company hold true to its past while adopting changes needed for the future.

Kristin Greenbaum, Director of Business Development, served as Director of Sales at Buff and VP of Sales at POW before bringing her expertise in new business development, sales mentorship, design, and merchandising to Turtle Fur. In her new role, she will be accountable for achieving growth and development targets for new accounts while supporting the company’s existing strategic and specialty accounts. Greenbaum appreciates the alignment of values, vision, and positive energy she has found in the team dynamic at Turtle Fur and resonates with the company’s passion for outdoor activity and environmental sustainability.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Cambria, Sarah, Kristin, and JP to our team as we continue to evolve as a brand,” said Jim Osgood, Chief Executive Officer at Turtle Fur. “Their passion, proven experience and track record, and fresh perspectives align perfectly with our mission, and I’m confident they will make significant impacts and contribute directly to realizing our ambitious growth plans.”

About Turtle Fur:
Since 1982 Turtle Fur® has been a leading headwear and accessories brand in the outdoor, snow sports, and lifestyle markets. Their mission is to create sustainable solutions for every body that feel great, in every element, built for a life lived outside. As a Certified B Corp(R), Turtle Fur is committed to using business as a force for positive change. For more information, visit www.turtlefur.com and follow them on social media @turtlefur.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Oct. 7, 2024) — As it prepares for Connect, its Fall buying show next month, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, the national organization dedicated to the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail, heads into its twice-annual event with a measured uptick in the number of attending buyers, vendors and appointments scheduled.

Retailer attendance will be up 13-percent to 157 retail businesses, vendor attendance will increase 8 percent to 134 brands, and total buyers in attendance will rise 3.5-percent to 387, compared to numbers at last Fall’s Connect Show. This Fall’s Connect Show takes place Nov. 11-14, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo.

In all, Connect will provide a forum for 9,717 appointments between retailers and brands, a 9-percent increase over last year, and 8,311 hours of meetings, a 3-percent increase. The Grassroots Outdoor Alliance team has tracked buyer engagement statistics since they began pre-scheduling all appointments for retailers and brands in 2016.

“It’s fantastic to see our show numbers reflecting strong interest, but what’s more important to us is that it’s business as usual at Connect,” said Gabe Maier, President of Grassroots. “That tells us that the role that Grassroots Connect continues to play as a key convener for essential outdoor industry conversations and a venue for specialty retailers to do the work they need to do — at the times of year they need to do it — continues to deliver value to our shareholders.”

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance will also host 61 outdoor brands at Discovery Marketplace, an event that takes place the evening of Nov. 10, the night before the Connect Show. Given the show’s focus on line showings between long-established brand-retailer relationships, Discovery Marketplace offers new and emerging brands the opportunity to interface with specialty retailers, and retailers the opportunity to see what’s new and exciting in the industry.

The Sunday prior to the show also offers a range of educational opportunities for retailers, including a panel discussion on planning and workflows around buying decisions, a session on how to employ traffic data to improve marketing efforts and sales challenges, a discussion by brand leaders on how retailers and brands can best align on demand planning, and a roundtable on current point-of-sale platforms and how to best use them, among others.

“Our Connect Show is often how we are most visible in the industry, but keeping track of trends, collecting data and using the information we gather to help our members run their businesses more effectively are at the core of what we do,” Maier said. “These educational sessions at Connect speak to that, and they tie directly to the work that we do every day for our members.”

About Grassroots Outdoor Alliance

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a retailer-owned network of 95 independently owned outdoor retailers and 66 vendor partners, working together for the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail. Through data collection and analysis, direct member support, specialty events and deep vendor partnerships, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is creating both a vision and roadmap for the long-term success of independent specialty retail. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is recognized as a catalyst for the success of its retailers and vendor partners; an advocate for specialty independent retail; a promoter of education and community within the specialty channel; and a key influencer of the national outdoor industry. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance also operates Connect, a twice-annual legacy show experience that spans four days, offering an efficient and structured format for retailers to conduct pre-season line showings and business conversations.