The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) and Team Athletic Goods, Inc. (TAG) have formed a strategic alliance that will incorporate TAG’s annual summer buying event into SGMA Spring Market (June 11-13, 2007; Sands Expo & Convention Center; Las Vegas, NV). The multi-year agreement between the two organizations will begin with the launch of SGMA Spring Market in Las Vegas in June 2007. Combined, the two organizations will provide an invaluable opportunity for team sports retailers and manufacturers to network and do business.

TAG’s summer buying event will occupy 50,000 gross square feet on the SGMA exhibit floor and will feature more than 100 exhibiting manufacturers. The TAG Buying Center will feature meeting rooms and product presentations available exclusively to TAG members.

This news follows the June 2006 announcement that TAG will hold its National Sales Training Seminar at SGMA Spring Market in June 2007, which will bring together TAG dealers’ road sales professionals for education and training.

In total, TAG expects to bring more than 400 team dealer owners, buyers and sales representatives to the event.

“Our TAG Dealers, along with our TAG Staff, are really excited about our alliance to combine both our seminar and tradeshow at the SGMA Las Vegas event. This strategic decision was made when our members met this past July and it became apparent that the SGMA event would assume a dominant role in our industry,” said Stan Morrison, CEO of TAG. “With many major manufacturers already committed to the event and an extensive educational program designed specifically for team dealers and specialty retailers, we consider this a must-attend event for any major player in the sporting goods and fitness industry.”

“We are delighted to work together with TAG to create an event that brings together the key players in the team sports market,” said SGMA President Tom Cove. “We believe the efficiencies created by this alliance will increase the ROI for all participating exhibitors and buyers. Being in position to do more business at one show is a win-win scenario for everyone.”