INow· NSGA OFFICERS Chair the Board NSGAofOFFICERS Cathy Pryor Chairman of the Board Hibbett Sports, Birmingham, AL David Labbe
Kittery Trading Post, Kittery, ME Treasurer/Chairman-Elect Pat Donnelley Treasurer/Chairman-Elect Donnelley Sports, Twin Falls, ID Cathy Pryor Hibbett Sports, Birmingham, AL
Past Chairman Past Chairman David Labbe RandyTrading Nill Post, Kittery, ME Kittery
Nill Bros. Sporting Goods, Kansas City, KS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kevin Bezanson Cleve's for Sports, Kevin Source Bezanson Cleve's Source for Sports, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Rhett Johnson Pat Donnelley Johnson-Lambe Co.,Twin Raleigh, Donnelley Sports, Falls,NCID David RhettLynn Johnson
Dunham’s Sports, Co., Troy,Raleigh, MI Johnson-Lambe NC
GregMiller Miller Greg UniversalAthletic, Athletic,Bozeman, Bozeman, Universal MTMT
Jeff Miller
Jeff Miller Scholastic Sports Sales, Ltd., Manlius, NY Scholastic Sports Sales, Ltd., Manlius, NY
John Oehler
Mick Montgomery Dunham's Sports, Troy, Ml
Denver Athletic Supply, Englewood, CO
Jerry Williams
Schuylkill Valley Sports, Pottstown, PA Jerry Williams
Schuylkill Valley Sports, Pottstown, PA NSGA TEAM LEADERS
NSGA TEAM LEADERS Matt Carlson Matt Carlson President & CEO President & CEO Marty Maciaszek
Marty Maciaszek Director, Team Dealer Division and HDA Director, Team Dealer Division and HDA
Julie Pitts
Director, Julie PittsBusiness Development and Research
Director, Business Development and Larry Weindruch
President, Public NSSRA Affairs Director,
DanRigitano Wiersma Nick Chief Financial Director, InsightsOfficer and Analysis
Jennifer Shaffer Comptroller
CEO NOW The end 2019 resulted in a lot ofsporting reflection on the It is not a secret that of many independently owned goods retailers dealers have beensome under over the pastand decade. What were ofsiege the most memorable last severaloccurrences years. of the last 10 years? What were the top movies werethinking the best it's players in a particular Consumersand turnsongs? to theWho internet, a better option sport? for their purchases. The labor market is increasingly tight. The transition to 2020 also leads to a look at what’s ahead Manufacturers try to go directly to the consumer and narrow in the of upcoming decade. Where will we be personally and their distribution products. professionally when we arrive at this point in 2029? Where Those are awill fewour of the biggestbe challenges retailersGoods industry when theindependent National Sporting and dealers face. The effects are evident throughout the industryth as struggling Association celebrates its 100 anniversary? businesses consolidate or close their doors entirely. Our colleagues at NSGA's benchmark associations, the American Booksellers and the North American A lot Association of where NSGA is depends on you Retail as members of Hardware Association, echo those concerns, but none of us is throwing in the towel! the association. Particularly for our core of retail and team members because NSGA belongs to to you. We always search for ways to helpdealer our core members in their ongoing battle succeed. Our new 'Verified Independent Dealer Program" hits the bullseye. The idea for the NSGA cannot succeed without you and your involvement. Our ability to speak on your behalf, program was sparked by a group of NSGA-member team dealers who wanted to regarding issues our members nationally and internationally, to those emphasize how that theirimpact experience, knowledge and service differentiates them fromthat affect
only a member or two locally, depends on you embracing NSGA as the trade association that their competition.
represents YOU. Getting the public to understand the importance of working with a quality independent dealer one of not the only critical components to engagement. the NSGA Verified Independent Dealermembers There is is strength in numbers but in The more involved NSGA Program. NSGA will assist Verified Dealers by sharing and explaining what it means to be are, the better it is for us to make an impact on industry issues. part of this program with their current and potential customers. One of our best opportunities for involvement with NSGA is the Management Conference & The details theIfcriteria for already the MVPhave and the All-Star Team Dealerabout Summit. you don’t dates May 17 through 19 circled on your categories of the NSGA Verified Independent Dealer Program, calendar, we hope you will make your plans to join us in Phoenix. It’s an excellent way to get along with applications and other important information, together with people from all areas of the industry can be found at www.nsga.org/verified. You canand alsoshare read ideas and concerns.
more about it on page 22 of this edition of NSGA NOW. We NSGA research shows that members who have attended and participated in the annual encourage team dealers, full-line retailers and specialty retailers Conference Summit haverunning a betterand understanding why and how NSGA does things. involved in & hockey, skiing, other sportsoftowhat, apply. They get more ROI for their membership investment. Another benefit of the NSGA Verified Independent Dealer Program will be programming Iffor youthe can’t attend the Conference Summit, there are other ways get engaged involved. Team and Dealer Management Conference & 21 sttoAnnual group at the 55th Annual & The NSGAThis Scoreboard, Voice and National Ski & dealers Snowboard Summit. will be an Hockey excellent opportunity for verified to getRetailers togetherAssociation and share ideasare andexcellent concerns with their peers. information. So is NSGA NOW and our website. newsletters sources of valuable NSGA also keeps anConference active presence on social to held shareMay news andin information. The Management & Team Dealermedia Summit 19-21 Braselton, Georgia, isways right work around thefor corner. Some the involved sporting with goods Whichever best you, the keyofisthe to best stay aspects as activeofand NSGA as industry's premier event are illustrated on page 11 of this issue. Register now by possible. We know you are busier than ever running your own businesses, but taking some completing the form in the magazine, or, online at www.nsga.org/events. extra time to stay on top of what’s going on in the industry could make a big difference for Weand hope had amembers. happy holiday season with family and friends and that you you alleveryone of your fellow closed out 2018 on a high note. Don't forget that NSGA is here to support you in making Here’s to hoping you hadthe a busy 2019 even better! Fight goodand fightlsuccessful holiday season and a great start to a new decade with many challenges ahead. Best regards, Best regards, MattCarlson Carlson I President & CEO Matt | President & CEO
NSGA NOW® (ISSN 1045-2087) is published bi-monthly for members of the National Sporting Goods Association, 1601 Feehanville Dr., Suite 300, Mount Prospect, IL 60056-6035; Phone: (847) 296-NSGA (6742); Fax: (847) 391-9827. Subscription price of $50 per year is included in membership fee. Non-member subscription information available from publisher. Periodical postage paid at Mount Prospect, IL 60056 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NSGA NOW,® NSGA NOW (ISSN 1045-2087) is published bi-monthly for members of the National Sporting Goods Association, 3041 Woodcreek Drive, Suite 210, Downers Grove, Illinois 1601 Feehanville Dr., Suite 300, Mount Prospect, IL 60056-6035. © by NSGA 2019. Printed in the USA. 60515. Phone: (847) 296-NSGA (6742); Fax: (847) 391-9827. Subscription price of $50 per year is included in membership fee. Non-member subscription information available from publisher. Periodical postage paid at Downers Grove, IL 60515 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NSGA NOW,® 3041 Woodcreek Drive, Suite 210, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515. © NSGA 2020 all rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
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