Paddlesports Trade Coalition, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Partner Up

One outcome is Grassroots inviting PTC members to exhibit/attend their Grassroots Connect show in June ’24 in Reno, Nevada (see details outlined by Grassroots President Gabe Maier in letter below).

“We know that one of PTC’s most challenging topics to reach consensus on is trade event timing,” said Jeff Turner, PTC Interim Executive Director, in the announcement. “This collaboration does not replace the PTC Colab opportunity that we are developing in conjunction with the PTC Annual Meeting in September ’24. In fact, we believe the combination of our alliance with Grassroots and the development of the PTC Colab could bookend the annual paddlesports buy/sell cycle conveniently and serve our members when they want to do business.”

The deadline for brand commitment to Grassroots’ offer is very tight, only 3 weeks away. PTC member retailers have an extra week or so to make a commitment to attend the Connect event.

Want more info? Email info@paddlesportstradecoalition.org

Letter from Grassroots President Gabe Maier

Dear Paddlesports Trade Coalition members,

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is excited to extend an invite to vendors, retailers, and reps of the Paddlesports Trade Coalition (PTC) to exhibit/attend Grassroots Connect this coming June in Reno, NV.

Over the past several months, we’ve been working closely with the PTC as the organization formalized to identify opportunities for all of us to serve you (retailers, brands, & reps) as best as we can. The product of those conversations is our commitment to holding dedicated show floor space for PTC vendors that are interested in exhibiting Connect this June, and also supporting paddle specific retailer invites for independently owned stores that may find value in attending.

We’re really excited about the opportunity to host those of you that find June aligns with your buy/sell cycle and also looking forward to seeing PTC Colab come together in the future. The formation of the PTC is a bright spot in a tough market right now, thank you for allowing us to be a part of the conversation.

If you are interested in joining us at Connect, please read on for a few details, and also pass an email on to Maggie Perrault ASAP to receive booth pricing and contracting information (Grassroots Event Relations Manager, maggie@grassrootsoutdoors.com). We look forward to seeing some of you in June!

FOR VENDORS:
● Exhibitor contracts must be received by Friday, February 16th in order to attend Connect.

○ Due to our scheduling process with retailers and unfortunately we are unable to accommodate new exhibitors after this date.

● The basics:

·       ○  PTC vendor members will have access to existing pricing to attend Connect and given the

opportunity to invite independent specialty retailers they would like to have in attendance.

·       ○  PTC exhibitors will be included in Grassroots scheduling process with retailers

·       ○  PTC exhibitors booths will be under the same booth guidelines as existing Connect exhibitors.

FOR RETAILERS:

● Our scheduling process for retailers will begin around the last week in February and extend through early

March. As such, interested retailers should reach out no later than the week of February 26th.

GENERAL SHOW DETAILS:

·       ●  Connect Website

·       ●  2024 Spring Connect Retailer Commitments – HERE

○ This is a current list of retailers who have indicated they will be in attendance at Connect this June. The list is actively updated and we anticipate between 140-150 retailers, 400+ buyers total.

● *Please note Connect is a closed event and only exhibiting vendors, retailers with schedules, and reps with exhibiting brands are able to walk the show floor.

Respectfully,

Gabe Maier, President Grassroots Outdoor Alliance