Winners to be announced at the upcoming Grassroots Connect Show will include Retailer of the Year, Vendor Partner of the Year
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (May 21, 2026) — Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, the national organization dedicated to the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail, today announced its slate of nominees for the 2026 Grassroots Outdoor Specialty Awards.
The awards recognize excellence across the Grassroots community, celebrating retailers, vendors, and industry leaders for achievements in business, advocacy, community impact, philanthropy, and specialty retail innovation.
Winners will be announced at the upcoming Grassroots Connect retail buying show, June 8–11, 2026, in Reno, Nev., where more than 290 exhibitors and more than 150 retailers will gather for line showings and strategic business conversations supporting Spring 2027 order writing. The awards ceremony will take place during lunch on Monday, June 8.
“These awards recognize the people and businesses pushing specialty outdoor retail forward,” said Gabe Maier, President of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance. “Independent specialty retail succeeds because of strong partnerships, innovation, service, and an unwavering commitment to community. The businesses and individuals recognized through these awards represent the very best of our industry — retailers and vendors who continue to lead with passion, resilience, and purpose while helping shape the future of the outdoor specialty channel.”
The nominees for the 2026 Grassroots Outdoor Specialty Awards include:
Retailer Awards
Retailer of the Year: Bill Jacksons (Pinellas Park, FL); Outdoor Experience-ID (Sandpoint, ID); Pack Rat Outdoor Center (Fayetteville, AR); Skinny Skis (Jackson, WY); The Trail Head (Missoula, MT)
Community Giveback: Footsloggers Outdoor & Travel Outfitters (NC); Tahoe Mountain Sports (Truckee, CA), The Trail Head (Missoula, MT), Mountain Chalet (Colorado Springs, CO), Chopwood Mercantile (Crested Butte, CO)
Retailer Growth Award: Casual Adventures (Arlington, VA); High Country Outfitters (Atlanta, GA); Mountain High Outfitters (Multiple Locations); River Rock Outfitter (Fredericksburg, VA); Saratoga Outdoors (Saratoga Spring, NY)
Retail Wow Award: Bill Jacksons (Pinellas Park, FL); Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus (Grand Rapids, MI); Great Outdoor Store (Sioux Falls, SD); High Country Outfitters (Atlanta, GA); Pack Rat Outdoor Center (Fayetteville, AR)
Vendor Awards
Vendor Partner of the Year: HydraPak; Patagonia; Rab; Smartwool; Sockwell
Excellence in Hardgoods & Accessories: EDELRID; HydraPak; LEKI; NEMO Equipment; Nomadix
Excellence in Apparel and Softgoods: Helly Hansen; Patagonia; Rab; Roark; Smartwool
Excellence in Footwear: Altra; La Sportiva; Oboz; Salewa; Superfeet
New for 2026, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance will also recognize the Top 25 Independent Sales Representatives in specialty outdoor retail. Honorees were selected through nominations and feedback from both retailers and vendor partners, highlighting the critical role independent reps play in building relationships, supporting brands and retailers, driving product education, and strengthening the specialty marketplace.
“The specialty outdoor industry is built on relationships, and independent reps are often the connective tissue that keeps this community strong,” added Maier. “These individuals work behind the scenes every day to support retailers, represent brands with integrity, and help create meaningful long-term partnerships. We’re excited to recognize and celebrate their contributions alongside our retailers and vendor partners.”
Additional honors presented during the ceremony will include Appreciation for Board Service and Friend of Grassroots.
About Grassroots Outdoor Alliance
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a retailer-owned network of 105 independently owned outdoor retailers and 73 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.