Connect Education Day
Sunday, June 9, 2024 8:00am-3:45pm
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 3 exciting opportunities for Connect Education Day on Sunday, June 9th in Reno. Grassroots member meetings and private sessions from 8:00am-11:00am. All afternoon Education Day options (11:30am-3:45pm) will be happening concurrently, thus you will need to choose only ONE option. Please note that the Field Trip options require pre-registration. Workshop sessions for all retailer attendees from 11:30am-3:45pm.

We also offer luncheon sessions throughout the week. Sunday schedule of events and session descriptions are below, click the (+) sign for details!*

Sunday, June 9, 2024

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

  • More details to come.


    Tuscany Ballroom E&F

WORKSHOP INTENSIVE SESSIONS
(All Retailer Attendees Welcome)

11:30Am-3:45pm Workshops

2 workshops to choose from, curated for different retail audiences; buyers and owners. These workshops will be happening concurrently, thus you will need to choose only ONE option. Lunch to be provided.

Buyers Intensive Workshop

This onsite education option is an immersive retail buyer's workshop designed to elevate expertise in key performance metrics, financials for buyers, foundational Excel functions, and point of sale systems. Engage in dynamic large group discussions, as well as small group coaching, as you delve into strategies for optimizing purchasing decisions and maximizing profitability. Gain invaluable insights and practical skills for your role as a retail buyer, ensuring your business stays ahead in today's competitive market landscape.

Facilitator: Carrie Watson, Outside Looks

Owner’s Intensive Workshop

This onsite half-day owner's workshop will help owners dive deeper into critical issues facing outdoor specialty retailers today. Using guided, purposeful group discussions, Tara Kuipers will help retailers explore topics impacting the industry and help you examine your business more critically. Retailers will learn from each other and leave the session with insights and actions to drive profitability and make meaningful changes in your business, along with deeper connections with your peers.

Facilitator: Tara Kuipers, TK Consulting

 

FIELD TRIPS
(Pre-registration required)

11:30am-3:45PM Cascade Designs & Patagonia field trips

For both field trip options, pre-registration is required. Each option will include a program, boxed lunch, and an in depth tour of facilities. Round trip shuttle to each location will be provided from/to Peppermill Resort. Specifics on program and tours included for each below.

cascade designs field trip details

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 built. 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 like:

    • Air, self-inflate, and closed-cell mattresses

    • Stoves

    • Water Filters and Purifiers

    • Snowshoes

    • Hydration and Dry Storage

  • 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!

Patagonia Field Trip Details (Waitlist only)

Patagonia is excited to host dealers at our Reno campus; we’re really looking forward to the opportunity to pull back the curtain on how things work behind the scenes!

We’ll 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.

In addition to the tour, our Marketing and Sales teams will share information on the following:

  • Patagonia business update, current trends, and future plans.

  • Marketing campaigns as well as assets and resources that are available to retailers to support their efforts now and in future seasons.

  • Best practices for social media, email, and event marketing.

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.

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