KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI (October 7, 2021) -- Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, the national organization dedicated to the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail, heads into Kansas City next month for their first official gathering in more than 600 days on Nov. 7-11, 2021.
While optimism and energy are the driving force behind the upcoming show, Grassroots Connect will largely be shaped by how organizers and attendees are able to respond to the COVID challenges of the moment -- including retailer staffing shortages, vendor sample availability, lingering travel hesitancy, and the show’s mandatory vaccination and mask policy.
“The big question for the upcoming Connect show is how we can square the huge opportunities for outdoor equipment and apparel sales at specialty independent retail with the ongoing challenges of the COVID pandemic,” said Rich Hil, president of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance. “Combine that meaty topic with some natural hiccups that always happen with a new venue in a new city, and it’s likely that Grassroots Connect will feel a bit more like a new event rather than one that’s been around for more than two decades.”
While significant reductions have been the norm for outdoor sector trade shows in 2021, Grassroots is anticipating that attendance at the Kansas City Connect will be at or above the trend of recent national events.
According to Grassroots Connect organizers, 94% of anticipated vendor exhibitors are confirmed to attend Connect, with a few notable exceptions withdrawing due to supply chain impacts on sample availability. Despite those issues, attending vendors have embraced a range of solutions from hybrid real-and-digital line presentations to “relationship only” meetings that embrace the opportunity to see key accounts face-to-face for the first time in nearly two years.
“Thanks again for joining us in K.C. As a lifelong resident of this fine city I really look forward to showing the Grassroots community my hometown, reconnecting with our peeps, and setting the stage for a great 2022,” said Bob Boland, midwest brand manager of Fjallraven.
Among retailers, Grassroots Connect organizers are anticipating 75% of traditional attendance at the event, with withdrawals citing staffing unavailability and other COVID-related challenges. However, much like the attitude from attending vendors, retailers who have chosen to attend the event are excited about the opportunity.
“It has been over 600 days since I’ve been able to connect and break bread with my retail friends and vendor partners. To say that I am excited for KC Connect would be a huge understatement!” said Emily White, co-owner of Roads, Rivers, and Trails in Milford, OH and Grassroots Board Vice-Chair. .
Grassroots year-to-date sales numbers (Jan.-Aug., 2021) are showing 34.7% overall sales growth over 2020, and 26.9% over 2019. For the months of August and September, Grassroots saw 10.8% growth over 2020, a noteworthy decrease in expected sales growth that is being attributed to disturbances in shipping and the supply chain. Over the last 12 months, Grassroots is reporting overall sales growth of 24.3% year over year.
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ABOUT GRASSROOTS CONNECT: Grassroots Connect is an ideally timed, invitation-only buying show for the specialty outdoor industry hosted by Grassroots Outdoor Alliance. Scheduled as early as possible in the buying cycle, Connect provides a highly efficient opportunity for retailers, reps and vendors to present, discuss, plan and collect pre-season orders. Cost-effective and simple, Connect is both an incubator and testing ground for the greater outdoor industry. Invited retailers receive a per attendee reimbursement to offset their travel costs. The upcoming Grassroots Connect show in Kansas City will begin with an Education Day (Nov. 7, 2021). Retailer and vendor sales appointments -- which are pre-booked for all attendees by Grassroots Connect staff -- will fill attendee calendars from Monday to Thursday (Nov. 8-11, 2021).
ABOUT GRASSROOTS OUTDOOR ALLIANCE: Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a national association working together for the health and growth of independent specialty outdoor retail. With 96 retailers and 195 doors in 42 states nationwide, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is creating both a vision and roadmap for the long-term success of independent specialty retailers, through data collection and analysis, direct member support, specialty events, and deep vendor partnerships. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is also 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. For more information on Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, please go to www.grassrootsoutdoors.com.