Presenting: How Specialty Outdoor Stores Can Compete with the Big Guys

Eoin Comerford is a 16-year U.S. outdoor industry veteran. He joined Moosejaw as VP of Marketing in 2008, became CEO in 2012, and led its growth into a top U.S. outdoor retailer before overseeing its 2017 acquisition by Walmart. As Global VP at Walmart, Eoin managed Walmart.com’s outdoor category until 2020. Following Moosejaw’s 2023 acquisition by Dick’s Sporting Goods, he led its integration into Dick’s outdoor business until January 2024. Currently, Eoin is the Principal of Outsize Consulting, focusing on emerging outdoor/active brands and is a recognized industry expert and speaker. Eoin is a regular contributing columnist for Shop Eat Surf Outdoor (SESO, formerly The Daily) and podcaster on The Rock Fight.

Presenting: Bringing a Season to Life: A look behind the curtain of a brand go-to-market process

Andy started his career in outdoor specialty retail as a store manager and buyer before getting his first brand job with Mission Playground. From there he spent 10 years in sales and customer experience management with prAna and is currently in his 6th year as the VP of Sales for Outdoor Research. In this role, Andy oversees all aspects of OR’s global wholesale distribution strategy. Outside of work he spends his time getting his 2 kids engaged in the outdoors through camping, climbing, surfing, mountain biking and snowboarding.

Presenting: Bringing a Season to Life: A look behind the curtain of a brand go-to-market process

Schuyler worked as a manager and buyer in running specialty retail for six years before joining Outdoor Research in 2013. At Outdoor Research, he spent time as a Dealer Account Specialist before moving to the Supply Chain team and working to ensure that retailers and customers are able to get the right product at the right time. As Supply Chain Director, he oversees all aspects of raw materials and finished goods planning and production. Outside of work, he is a road and trail runner, hiker, backpacker, and run commuter.

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

Lloyd Vogel is the CEO and Co-founder of Garage Grown Gear. A lifelong midwesterner, he discovered his love of the outdoors in the lakes and streams of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Lloyd is a ferocious supporter of small brands, a total ultralight weenie, and a far too frequent poster on Linkedin.

Presenting: Amplifying Business Voices and Impact: The Power of Advocacy for Outdoor Retailers

Rebecca Gillis is the Senior Director of Advocacy and Outreach at The Conservation Alliance. In her role, she works alongside her colleagues and TCA members to build and activate advocacy networks to promote and meet the organization’s conservation goals across the country. She is based in Boulder, Colorado.

Formerly, Rebecca was state and local government affairs manager for Outdoor Industry Association (OIA). Gillis worked with members – including manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers – partner stakeholder groups, and state-level policymakers to promote the organization’s policy agenda on climate, outdoor access, public lands and waters, and strengthening state and local outdoor economies.

Gillis also worked for former Governor John Hickenlooper and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock as a lead business development manager in their economic development agencies - leading on efforts around strengthening Colorado's outdoor economy.

Raised in Golden, Colo., she received her M.A. in international relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Rebecca has a deep passion for the outdoors and is a firm believer in nature’s potential to heal human hearts, souls, and minds.

Presenting: Four Decades of Adventure: Our Life in the Outdoor Industry

Conrad Anker is one of America’s most accomplished alpinists, known for his pioneering ascents, resilience in extreme conditions, and a lifelong commitment to the mountains. From summiting Mount Rainier at 16 to completing the historic first ascent of Meru’s Shark’s Fin, his visionary climbing has inspired generations.

A key figure in the climbing world, Conrad has scaled Everest three times and was part of the 1999 expedition that discovered George Mallory’s remains, solving one of mountaineering’s great mysteries. Beyond the peaks, he co-founded the Khumbu Climbing Center in Nepal, supporting safety education for Sherpa communities.

Now based in Bozeman, Montana, Conrad is a father, writer, speaker, and mentor, dedicated to making the outdoors more accessible for all.

Website | https://www.conradanker.com/

Instagram | @conrad_anker

Facebook | @conradanker

Twitter | @conrad_anker

Facilitating: Grassroots Membership Meeting & Shareholder's Meeting, Grassroots Vendor Partner Meeting

Gabe is a champion for specialty retailers, having served in leadership with Grassroots formerly as Vice President and Business Analyst and now as President. Gabe is also a talented golfer, outdoor recreationalist, reluctant dog lover, and girl dad.

Facilitating: The Idea is Right! Retail's Best Ideas & Women's Leadership Luncheon

Tara has called Wyoming home since 2000, and spends much of her time biking, hiking, Nordic skiing, kayaking, and traveling. She has two decades of hands-on experience working in nonprofit leadership, higher education, and community development. Tara holds graduate degrees in Counseling and Adult Education along with certifications in strategic planning, facilitation, mediation, and coaching. Through her role as an educator, facilitator, and coach, Tara is committed to helping groups work together, learn together, and achieve great results together.