The Grassroots Outdoor Alliance honored the winners of its annual award program at its 13th annual summer trade show, which drew 330 attendees to Ogden, UT June 10-13 and culminated with the donation of 55 bikes to local kids.


Winners of Grassrooot's 2013 awards were:

 



  • Retailer of the Year: Rock/Creek Outfitters, Chattanooga, TN
  • Vendor of the Year: Patagonia
  • Buyer of the Year: Richard Allen, Summit Hut in Tucson, AZ
  • Sales Representative of the Year West Coast/Rockies: Erin Eugster with prAna
  • Sales Representative of the Year Midwest/NE: Brian Boudreau with Marmot, Keen and Camelbak.
  • Sales Rep of the Year Southeast and South Central: John Harvey with Mountain Hardwear.

The Retailer of the Year and Buyer of the Year are nominated and voted on by the Grassroots Vendor partners and the Vendor of The Year and Sales Representatives of the Year are nominated and voted on by the Grassroots retail membership.



All 46 Grassroots retail members attended the show, as did 44 vendors, and seven business service vendors. Grassroots is essentially a buying group for independent outdoor specialty retailers that negotiates special programs for retailers who meet its credit and financial standards with select vendors. It has become a leader in advocating for indepdent outdoor specialty retailers on a range of topics from minimum advertised pricing polices to urging outdoor brands not to sell direct to Amazon.

 

Grassroots launched its early buying shows 13 years ago in an effort to provide an intimate setting where it could showcase the unique value provided by its retail members, which include many of the industry most successful independent, multi-channel retailers.

 

This year's event focused on gathering sponsorships from the Grassroots retail members and vendor partners for a donation of bikes to disadvantaged youth in  Ogden, which has aggressivly recuit the outdoor industry. The community service project culminated at the show, when Grassroots presented 55 donated bikes and an $560 in cash to both the Boys and Girls Club of Ogden and the Youth Community Connection.


“The bike donation event was definitely a highlight for all of us,” said Kevin Karch, national sales director for Native Eyewear. “Seeing the happy faces of those kids left an impression on all of us. We will do more next year for sure!”


 
Other trade show activities included a business seminar on effective interviewing and hiring staff as well as a guided Via Ferratta, morning yoga with prAna and the third annual 5K Vasque Roots Run.
 
 
“The event was efficient, fun and effective for us as a retailer,”  said Mike Kazmierczak, who was attending the show for the first time as the buyer for The Mountaineer . “We are psyched to be part of the group and hope that we can contribute to the continued success of the group.” 

 

 
Mark Connors, sales manager performance West for Ecco said the show deserved “major kudos” for intertwining business meetings with fun, community service and unparalleled networking opportunities.
“You really put on a first class show,” agreed Greg Wozer, VP Leki International. “Makes me wonder what the outdoor business landscape would look like if the entire industry had the opportunity to operate within your structure.”


The next Grassroots Fall/Winter Show will be held in a new location in Knoxville, TN from November 18–21, 2013.