Connect Education Day
Sunday, June 8, 2025 8:00am-2:00pm
Tuscany Ballroom, Peppermill Resort
Reno, NV

Grassroots is about developing strong relationships among retailers. One important way we encourage collaboration and continuing professional development is through the educational programming that we weave into Connect.

We have multiple exciting opportunities for Connect Education Day in Reno. Field Trips to Patagonia and Cascade Designs are back. Plus we have various afternoon sessions featuring industry experts and panel discussions. Please note that the Field Trip options require pre-registration.

Sunday schedule of events and session descriptions are below, click the (+) sign for details!*

Sunday, June 8, 2025

MORNING EDUCATION SESSIONS
(Grassroots Members Only)

  • Join your peers for continental breakfast, coffee, and conversation. Breakfast items available from 7:15am-9:15am. Membership Meeting kicks off at 8:00am.

    Tuscany Ballroom E&F

  • This session is the not-to-miss, all-hands meeting for Grassroots retailers. Please join us to learn about all Grassroots current membership initiatives and future strategy.

    Hosted by Gabe Maier, Grassroots President & Grassroots Board
    Tuscany Ballroom E&F

  • *This is a private session for Grassroots Shareholders. Critical Shareholder actions including voting will be conducted. Shareholder's are then welcome to join into the Buyer's Meeting after voting is conducted.

    Tuscany Ballroom 5&6

  • Tuscany Ballroom E&F

ONSITE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

11:00am-12:00pm - Lunch Break

Make the most of your Education Day lunch hour by connecting and reconnecting with colleagues! This unstructured time is a valuable opportunity to build community, expand your network, and engage in meaningful conversations. Whether you’re strengthening existing relationships or meeting new people, a shared meal creates the perfect setting to exchange ideas, collaborate, and foster a stronger industry network. Don’t miss the chance to turn lunchtime into a time for connection and growth!

*Note: Cascade Designs Field Trip Guests will be provided a boxed lunch. Retailers attending Patagonia Field Trip or staying on site are invited to join us for lunch and networking!

12:00pm-1:00pm Sessions:

How Specialty Outdoor Stores Can Compete with the Big Guys

Presented by Eoin Comerford, Outsized Consulting

Independent specialty retailers face unique challenges when competing with major outdoor retailers like REI, Backcountry, and Dick’s. This session will explore strategies to leverage your strengths, mitigate disadvantages, and carve out a thriving niche in the market.

Key Takeaways:

  • Understand the key advantages and disadvantages of independent specialty retailers vs. big competitors.

  • Learn how to capitalize on your strengths to drive growth and profitability.

  • Discover tactics to overcome challenges and counter big retail’s strategies.

  • Gain practical, actionable insights to strengthen your business and better serve your customers.

OFFICIAL SESSION TITLE TBD: Understanding Brands Better (cont.) 

Presented by Andy Burke & Schuyler Schuster, Outdoor Research

Building on the insights from a session held last Fall, this session takes a deeper dive into brand operations and processes to foster stronger collaboration between retailers and brands. Join Andy Burke, VP of Commercial Sales and Schuyler Schuster, Dir. of Supply Chain, at Outdoor Research, for an overview of a brand's go-to-market process calendar and all milestones along the way, including product development, demand planning, production, and marketing plans. Through open dialogue and shared perspectives, we’ll explore ways to enhance mutual understanding and improve working relationships.

1:00pm-2:00pm Sessions:

Betting on the Next Big Thing: Why Small Brands Can Be Big Wins

Presented by Lloyd Vogel, Owner, Garage Grown Gear + Panel of Experts

Discover how small brands can be a game-changer for specialty retail in Betting on the Next Big Thing: Why Small Brands Can Be Big Wins. This panel explores how carrying emerging brands keeps your product selection fresh, attracts customers eager for unique finds, and sets your shop apart from big-box retailers. Featuring insights from a small brand CEO, a specialty shop owner, and a specialty shop buyer, we’ll discuss how small brands foster innovation, create a discovery-driven shopping experience, and position your business at the cutting edge—proving that an influx of small brands in your shop can have a big impact on your bottom line.

FIELD TRIP OPTIONS

For both field trip options, pre-registration is required. Each option will include a program and an in depth tour of facilities. Specifics on program and tours included for each below.

cascade designs field trip

10:45am-11:00am
Cascade Designs Field Trip Guests - Pick up boxed lunch in the Peppermill lobby and load the bus for transportation to Cascade Designs. 

11:30am-1:30pm
Cascade Designs Field Trip

The Cascade Designs team is excited to host retailers at their factory in Reno!  This is a unique opportunity to see how the products you sell every day are manufactured in the US. Through this half day program and tour, retailers will learn:

  • Benefits of domestic production, including sustainability advantages.

  • Understanding of the manufacturing processes that create great outdoor products — and take aways to help you educate your customers on products.

  • Opportunity to learn about the 50 year history of Cascade Design brands and innovations that brought forward, totally new products and product categories.

  • How Cascade Designs provides best-in-class service and repairs, and how retailers can do the same in their shops for their customers!

1:30pm-2:15pm
Cascade Designs Field Trip Guests - Load bus on site at Cascade Designs, depart to return to Peppermill and head to Discovery Marketplace.

 

Patagonia Field Trip

2:30pm-3:0pm
Patagonia Field Trip Guests - Head to Peppermill lobby to load the bus for transportation to Patagonia.

3:00pm-5:00pm
Patagonia Field Trip
Patagonia is excited to host dealers at our Reno campus! The Patagonia team is looking forward to the opportunity to pull back the curtain on how things work behind the scenes! The experience will begin with a presentation from the Patagonia team. Then retailers will tour the Distribution Center seeing how the products you order are picked, packed and shipped as well as visiting Worn Wear which is the largest apparel repair facility in North America.

We’ll plan to have some time for Q&A. If there are specific topics you’d like to hear from us on, please email them to sven.shiers@patagonia.com.

5:00pm-5:30pm
Patagonia Field Trip Guests - Load bus on site at Patagonia, depart to return to Peppermill and head to Discovery Marketplace.

Interested in Field Trips, contact Dana Howe at dana@grassrootsoutdoors.com.

Lunch Sessions

Monday June 10th, 2024: 

2025 Grassroots Annual Awards

Always an exciting and fun program, you won't want to miss the highly anticipated Grassroots Annual Awards! Join us over lunch on day one to recognize the outstanding achievements of retailers, brands, and individuals within our vibrant Grassroots community. We will shine the spotlight on those who have showcased unparalleled excellence in service, collaboration, support, and product innovation for independent specialty businesses. Don't miss out on this opportunity to applaud and celebrate the good work of your peers!

Tuesday June 11th, 2024:

Grassroots Vendor Partner Meeting

Exclusively for Grassroots Vendor Partners, this session offers a unique chance to explore our organizational direction and strategic plans. Dive into a comprehensive overview of specialty business insights, key Grassroots initiatives, and forecasts for the upcoming year. We kindly request that each Vendor Partner sends at least ONE leadership representative to ensure a thorough understanding of your Grassroots membership value and our collective direction.

Women's Leadership Luncheon

Hosted and inclusive luncheon, key discussion items and guest speaker, TBD.