NSGA NOW - May/June 2023

MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE & TEAM DEALER SUMMIT ISSUE

LESSONS OF LEADERSHIP PARTICIPATION POSITIVES

SANMAR SPORTS REBRANDS

How do you choose the best Compression System for your athletes?

When looking at the many pneumatic compression systems available on the market, from the outside it is easy to view them as similar products. However, it is important to understand the science behind the technology because the differences in product offerings can significantly impact your athletes’ circulatory and lymphatic systems.

What does the science say? Why is pressure the key?

Accurate control of pressure within each chamber must be maintained to effectively enhance fluid transportation from distal to proximal within the extremities, which is a feature that most systems lack.

Research points to a pressure range of 50-70mmHg for optimal effect on the circulatory system. Pressures over 100mmHg can start restricting blood flow causing a dangerous tourniquet-like effect.

The lymphatic system is also affected by pneumatic compression and needs refined levels of compression. For example, lymphatic massage only requires very light compression to stimulate this system to effectively remove cellular waste, reduce inflammation, and improve immune function.

How is Mueller RecoveryCare REVIVE™ therapy different? What is the effect?

The Mueller RecoveryCare REVIVE™ system comes from a manufacturer with over 40 years of experience in the medical market backed by peer-reviewed research. This research determined the importance to deliver precise compression to each chamber with a gradient drop that enables optimal lymphatic uptake.

Additionally, the frequency of compression cycles to drive circulation is essential to produce more flushes resulting in more recovery. Competitor cycles last up to 5 minutes while the REVIVE™ cycles approximately once per minute. In addition, our quick full release of pressure after each cycle stimulates the lymphatic system to move more cellular waste.

Garments are not just for show, but the key to Compression Therapy

Garment design and construction is critical to how compression therapy is effectively delivered. REVIVE™ garments are designed with a single smooth and durable interior surface for easy cleaning. Each garment delivers graduated compression with no gaps due to a 30% overlapping structure of the internal chambers. Other products have chambers that do not fully wrap around the limb causing a painful squeeze, and lack of overlapping structures create breaks in compression resulting in discomfort and less effective treatment.

Practical Use and “Feel the Difference” Challenge

REVIVE™ is backed by science, delivering the most effective and efficient therapy with garments engineered for optimal compression delivery. This results in increasing venous return and activating the lymphatic system, therefore boosting recovery, and optimizing performance.

REVIVE™ is a compact and portable system, with an 8+ hour battery life, a modality used for a variety of applications - traveling, pre and post activity, rehab and many more.

M2 CONSOLE

M4 CONSOLE

CONFERENCE NOW

Tom Flick and Dan Mann discuss leadership in a preview of their speaker sessions at the 2023 Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit in Nashville.

CEO NOW

The men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments provide some of the most compelling entertainment for sports fans. There is something special about watching these amazing athletes have the opportunity to showcase their talents and the genuine drama, excitement, and heartbreak “March Madness” produces every year.

This season was no exception, especially in the men’s tournament where more upsets than usual left most brackets in tatters after the first weekend. The yearly upsets also give us a great look at many different forms of leadership through the coaches directing their teams.

The tournaments put a spotlight on little-known coaches who are doing more with less resources than the traditional big-name programs. We see coaches inspire their teams at schools with unfamiliar names like Fairleigh Dickinson and Florida Atlantic to pull off stunning upsets and amazing runs of success in the men’s tournament. Or how the Iowa women’s team was prepared to knock out the unbeaten defending championship powerhouse from South Carolina.

We also get a glimpse into the way coaches handle profound disappointments and the lessons they try to impart on their teams. Setbacks can be used toward successes similar to Virginia winning the 2019 NCAA championship a year after becoming the first No. 1 seeded team to lose to a No. 16 seed in tournament history. Something NSGA looks to do every year at the Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit is bring in speakers who can share their leadership philosophy.

We’ve had some March Madness legends like the late Pat Summitt of Tennessee, Mike Krzyzewski of Duke and Tom Izzo of Michigan State.

The speakers at this year’s Conference & Summit on May 21–23 in Nashville, Tennessee also bring excellent insights on leadership from different angles. This issue of NSGA NOW features a story on former NFL quarterback Tom Flick, and specialty retail expert Dan Mann, who share their views on successful leadership.

Olympic gold medal swimmer Missy Franklin was a leader in most of her races but also faced her share of adversities along the way. Marcus Whitney, who helped found Nashville’s Major League Soccer team, will discuss how to turn failures into successful innovation.

This year’s Conference & Summit is also an opportunity to recognize four of the great leaders of our industry as Bill Hunt of CHAMPRO, James Clifford Keen of Cliff Keen Athletic, Jeff Lynn of Dunham’s and Kent McKeaigg of OrderMyGear are inducted into the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame. These great coaches, athletes, and business icons have faced many challenges on their roads to success, using those challenges as their “fuel” to propel them forward. Our goal is to have top-quality speakers share their insights to advance your business interests. Who knows, maybe those lessons help in other areas of your lives as well!

NSGA OFFICERS

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

PAT DONNELLEY

BSN Sports, Twin Falls, ID

CHAIRMAN-ELECT

GORDON GEIGER

Geiger’s, Lakewood, OH

PAST CHAIRMAN

DAVID LABBE

Kittery Trading Post, Kittery, ME

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

KEVIN BEZANSON

Cleve’s Source for Sports, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

BOB FAWLEY

Capitol Varsity Sports, Oxford, OH

TROY FREEMAN

Play It Again Sports, Minneapolis, MN

MICK MONTGOMERY

Denver Athletic Supply, Englewood, CO

RON RUGAL

B&R Sporting Goods, Shelby

Charter Township, MI

JOHN SCIPIO

SV Sports, Pottstown, PA

NSGA TEAM LEADERS

MATT CARLSON

President & CEO

MARTY MACIASZEK

Director, Team Dealer Division, Communications

JULIE PITTS

Director, Public Affairs and President, NSSRA

NICK RIGITANO

Director, Insights and Analysis

JENNIFER SHAFFER Comptroller

Best regards,

MATT CARLSON PRESIDENT & CEO

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, IL 60515. © NSGA 2023 all rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

The American Special Hockey Association (ASHA), a partner of the Hockey Dealers Association (HDA), gives people with special needs the opportunity to play ice hockey.

CHAMPION COACHES DESERVE CHAMPION DEALERS.

Coachesrelyonyoutochampionthemaximum inequipmentsafety,performance,anddurability sotheystayfocusedontheirathletes.Successful programsarebuiltonrelationshipscoachestrust.

Download2023facilitychecklists andcontactyourcoachestoday.

What are some of your new and innovative products the industry should know about?

Dealers should be looking to simplify their decorated fulfillment programs through new heat transfer technology. UltraColor®

MAX Direct to Film Transfers headline this movement. These transfers work well across a variety of items and artwork, which has

Platinum SUPPORTER

STAHLS’ was known as Commercial Art Products when it was founded in 1932 in the family garage of the husband-and-wife team of A.C. and Ethel Stahl. One of its first products sold was chenille lettering sewn on a felt background. The felt was cut by hand and A.C. eventually developed the process of cutting material by using a die and punch press. STAHLS’ is well-known and respected throughout the sportswear, custom apparel, and promotional products industries for high-quality and innovative equipment, materials and services. The family values that helped STAHLS’ succeed are rooted deep in its culture and helped build the foundation to set up customers for success. The success was also recognized with the induction of Ted Stahl into the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame in 2011.

helped to grow a team dealer’s product assortment. This past year, we have been focused on improving product access and eliminating friction. The speed of shipping is faster than ever and there are no order minimums. Add this to the development of a complete suite of APIs and we are positioned to help dealers build a leaner and more scalable model.

How does working with the dealer/retailer network help enhance your brand?

We enjoy the active collaboration with team dealers and retailers. The ongoing dialogue around opportunities and challenges that each person is facing in their specific role helps us to innovate. Innovation and customer success are a key part of who we are as a brand.

What drives the passion your company and your team members have for sports and the sporting goods industry?

Sports and entrepreneurship create stronger communities. Sporting goods dealers know their hometown and its coaches and athletes better than anyone. If we can play a small role in helping a sporting goods dealer succeed, they can employ more, give more and make a difference. This is meaningful work that keeps us all driven.

What are you looking forward to at this year’s Management Conference? Why is it important to attend?

The main reason to attend the conference is the people. Collaboration is so critical to success in any market. This year we’re looking forward to deepening some existing relationships and starting some new ones. Each year the conference sessions and networking opportunities present new actionable insights. We are hopeful to trade notes in between sessions and find some new win/win scenarios to invest in.

ASSOCIATION NOW

NSGA REMEMBERS

TWO INFLUENTIAL INDUSTRY MEMBERS

JAMES M. CHICK CHICK’S SPORTING GOODS

James M. Chick transformed the small family sporting goods business of Chick’s Sporting Goods in California into one of the industry’s biggest success stories. Chick, who also served the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) as Chairman of the Board and was inducted into the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame in 2004, passed away March 7 at 76.

Chick was President & CEO of Chick’s Sporting Goods, which was headquartered in Covina, California, for nearly 40 years. He was a member of the NSGA Board of Directors from 1985-94 and was the Board Chairman in 1992.

“Mr. Chick exemplified the best attributes of our industry,” said NSGA President & CEO Matt Carlson. “He led a family business in Chick’s Sporting Goods to tremendous growth and he made sure the company gave back to the people in the communities where they were located. He also shared his time and expertise to help his peers succeed through his work on the NSGA Board. We are saddened to learn about Mr. Chick’s passing and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”

Chick’s father Jim Sr., opened the first Chick’s Sporting Goods store in 1949. It was purchased by Jim Jr.’s grandparents, Ralph and Hazel Chambers, as an investment in their grandson’s future. Jim Chick Jr., worked at the store during high school and for 30

hours a week while he was a fulltime student in business at Cal Poly Pomona University. In 1968, at age 21, he purchased the company from his grandparents and in 1976 he moved the store into an old 22,000-square foot grocery store while most of his competitors were in spaces between 2,000 and 5,000 square feet. The move kicked off the transformation of Chick’s Sporting Goods from one small-town store with $180,000 in annual sales to 16 stores and $90 million in sales. The company also made a significant impact in the communities where it was located by donating $10,000 per store to local schools and sports-related youth organizations. Chick’s Sporting Goods was consistently listed among the industry’s top 100 annual retailers and Chick was honored by the industry with the Sporting Goods Dealer Leadership Award in 1988, the Licensed Products Retailer of the Year in 1995 and the Retail Merchandising Trendsetter of the Year runner-up in 2001.

Chick’s Sporting Goods was acquired by Dick’s Sporting Goods in November 2007 when Chick decided to retire. He loved spending time with friends and family through the years at his Claremont home, Laguna Beach house and Idaho ranch. Although his memory gradually faded as he suffered from dementia he was surrounded by people who loved him.

Chick was the first-born child of Elizabeth Eleanor Chick and James Elmo Chick and he had two sisters, Betsy Muenyong and Cindy Chick. Jim Jr., inherited his father’s love of the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout his life. He was married for 30 years to his fourth wife Karen and she lovingly cared for him in sickness and health. Chick had two children, Angela (Angie) Patrice and James (Jimmy) Robert, with his first wife Martha and they had 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life Ceremony for James M. Chick was held April 29 in West Covina, California. In lieu of flowers, the family of James M. Chick requests contributions be made to the Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation, P.O. Box 3121, Pomona, California 91769. Checks may be written to CPPPF Memo: James M. Chick Scholarship Fund.

AUGIE NIETO

LIFE FITNESS

Augie Nieto was one of the most successful innovators in the fitness industry who turned his efforts toward finding a cure for ALS after he was diagnosed with the disease 18 years ago. Nieto, a 2008 Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame inductee, passed away February 22 from his battle with ALS at 65.

Nieto bought the marketing rights to the Lifecycle exercise bike in 1977 at age 19 and three years later he co-founded Lifecycle, Inc., which is now known as Life Fitness. During the next 20 years, Life Fitness grew under his leadership into the largest commercial manufacturer of fitness equipment in the world.

Nieto was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also commonly

known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, in February 2005. He was the chairman and co-founder of Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS and was the chairman of the ALS Therapy Development Institute.

“Mr. Nieto had a significant impact on so many lives through his innovative spirit to help people become more physically fit and then with his determination to find a cure for ALS,” said NSGA President & CEO Matt Carlson. “He raised tremendous awareness to the battle he fought with ALS and that legacy will live on as the search for a cure continues. We are saddened to hear about Mr. Nieto’s passing and we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and everyone he has helped and touched during his life.”

Nieto, who was born February 15, 1958, passed away peacefully as he was surrounded by his wife Lynne, his family and other loved ones, according to a story on the Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS website. He raised nearly $200 million for ALS research. Nieto also served as chairman of Octane Fitness, a manufacturer of ellipticals, fitness rowers and fitness bikes.

NATIONAL SKI & SNOWBOARD RETAILERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The National Ski & Snowboard Retailers Association (NSSRA) selected Tracy Gibbons of Sturtevant’s (Bellevue, Washington) as Chair, Robb Shepherd of Shepherd & Schaller Sporting Goods (Wausau, Wisconsin) as Vice Chair and Jon Morrill of Kittery Trading Post (Kittery, Maine) as Secretary/Treasurer at its Board of Directors meeting on March 9, 2023.

Gordon Geiger of Geiger’s (Lakewood, Ohio) will continue on the Board as Past Chair. Brad Nelson of HiTempo, Inc. (White Bear Lake, Minnesota) was elected to a second three-year term. Gary Fleming, Snow Merchandising Corp. (Springfield, Massachusetts), will also continue as a member of the NSSRA Board of Directors.

New members of the Board of Directors include Stefan Hausberger of Zimmermanns Skis, Boards and More (Nashua, New Hampshire), Phillip Howard of Troy’s Ski Lubbock (Lubbock, Texas) and Tyler Lockard of Sports Specialists, Ltd. (Golden, Colorado).

Tom Fuerst of Pedigree Ski Shop (White Plains, New York) is leaving the Board after many years of dedicated service.

What are some of your new and innovative products the industry should know about?

To stay ahead of the industry, we are continuously improving our products and technology to meet the needs of customers and dealers. Recently, we have broadened our Quickturn uniform and apparel line, adding lacrosse, wrestling, youth girls volleyball, youth soccer, hockey and pickleball. This product line encompasses all 3 of PROLOOK’s specialities: quick turnaround (shipping in only 1-2 weeks), high quality, and 100% customization. Our goal is to add every sport to the Quickturn line by the end of 2023. In doing so, PROLOOK will continue innovating, as we bring exceptional products to market, with the quickest turnaround time.

How does working with the dealer/retailer network help enhance your brand?

When we decided to change from a direct sales model, to selling exclusively through team dealers, our sales dramatically increased and we were able to build quality relationships throughout the nation. Working with top team dealers allows PROLOOK to focus more on our core competency: efficiently manufacturing and delivering the highest quality uniforms and apparel, for our dealers, coaches and athletes. Team dealers help PROLOOK better understand and meet the unique needs of local customers.

Platinum SUPPORTER

PROLOOK was founded in 1996 by Dusty Rhodes, who spent his days going from the classroom, to football practice, to the gym at night for a pick-up game as a college sophomore. The entire team at PROLOOK shares the same never-ending drive to play and compete at their highest level. PROLOOK was one of the top 200 fastest growing companies in the US, per the Inc 500 in 2004, and in 2012 opened its sublimation print and heat press facilities. Because PROLOOK is a manufacturer first and a brand second, customers receive valuable assurance that the same company selling the product will stand responsible for that product lasting and looking great for years to come.

What drives the passion your company and your team members have for sports and the sporting goods industry?

PROLOOK is driven by uplifting athletes through technology driven, innovative, high-quality, custom sports apparel and unmatched support. Nothing compares to the look on the face of an athlete who opens a new, fully-customized jersey, or, the excitement of a coach who has a need that has been fulfilled. We strive to create these moments by instilling confidence and excitement in athletes, their families, their coaches and their communities.

What are you looking forward to at this year’s Management Conference? Why is it important to attend?

We look forward to NSGA’s Management Conference every year. As a manufacturer and sponsor, we believe it is the industry’s best event to be involved in. NSGA conferences give us the opportunity to meet with many of our dealers in one location and talk with new

dealers, other manufacturers and industry professionals. In addition to the actual NSGA conference events, we enjoy spending time with peers in the relaxed environment of our PROLOOK suite. This collaborative environment is vital to us, as it allows us to build new relationships as well as strengthen relationships with existing partners.

We are all BUILT. BETTER. Working together!

What are some of your new and innovative products the industry should know about?

The team has been dedicated to building a platform that empowers team dealers to sell more gear and apparel online, faster and with confidence. From store-building tools like Bulk Artwork, Bulk Actions and Store Templates, that allow users to build powerful stores in record time, to tackling supply chain issues with Supplier Inventory Management, that automatically disables low-stock products from the storefront. We even introduced Supplier Templates; prebuilt template stores stocked with supplier-recommended, high-inventory products.

Platinum SUPPORTER

Team dealer Ronnie McKeaigg was spending hours going through paper order forms to organize and fulfill product for his high school teams. His son Kent believed there was a better way to handle this and started OrderMyGear, an eCommerce platform to facilitate orders that wouldn’t just help his father but thousands of other individuals. OMG’s passion for innovating its services and platform, along with its focus on client success, makes it one-of-a-kind in the industry. A relentless focus on creating and strengthening mutually beneficial relationships allows industry brands and partners the chance to service end consumers in the modern way they have come to expect. This allows decorators, dealers and distributors to enhance their customer offering and remain competitive in an increasingly technology-centered market.

These features are maximized by our team of 130+ online store experts, dedicated to helping team dealers grow their business while taking care of customers.

How does working with the dealer/retailer network help enhance your brand?

Working with our brilliant network of dealers is crucial to our partnership model. Why? When our reps win, so do we! Leaning into these long-time relationships enables us to ask valuable questions and listen to needs within the market. This feedback continuously helps us remain the best-in-class online store solution for team dealers and enhance our brand in the industry. We’re committed to growth in all its forms, which is why we’re enthusiastic about blazing the trail no matter where we are. Whether we’re sitting knee-to-knee with reps, attending trade shows, or over email, we’ll never stop putting dealers first!

What drives the passion your company and your team members have for sports and the sporting goods industry?

Since the beginning, our founder Kent McKeaigg,

has been a part of this industry. For decades, Kent watched his father Ronnie strive to tackle the organization and fulfillment of orders from local teams manually. With the goal of overcoming this obstacle, Kent founded OMG. Kent’s story demonstrates that inspiration and resourcefulness can create something mighty and sustainable. Although a lot has changed as our company has grown, OMG’s commitment to making representatives’ lives easier has never wavered. We’re more passionate than ever about our roots in team sports, and our pledge to continue making online stores efficient, profitable and user-friendly.

What are you looking forward to at this year’s Management Conference? Why is it important to attend?

First and foremost, our founder Kent McKeaigg will be inducted into the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame! We’re excited to recognize his accomplishments, and proud to call ourselves OMG’ers. OMG celebrates technology within the industry, so networking with our industry friends to gauge the needs in the market is helpful in regard to making improvements that matter. Since OMG was established 15 years ago, the relationships we’ve built aren’t just work-related. We can genuinely say that we have many partnerships that have evolved into great friendships. We’re eager to connect at NSGA and continue shaping the future of the team sports industry.

Q&A THE NEW BRAND OF SANMAR SPORTS

SanMar has been in business since 1971 and created its sporting goods channel in 2013. But the company was looking to make a bigger impact in the sporting goods industry and believes it will have more brand recognition as SanMar Sports. In this NSGA Q&A, Rachelle Manning, the Senior Manager for SanMar Sports, discusses why the name change was made and the impact it will have on the industry.

Q: WHAT WERE THE REASONS BEHIND THE REBRAND TO SANMAR SPORTS?

A: SanMar Sports is the authenticity that SanMar alone doesn’t provide. We represent and call on all facets of sport and choose to position ourselves amongst the top brands in the industry. My team attends a significant amount of end-user events, trade shows and clinics throughout the year. We do this to promote our brands and assist our accounts during these events while providing product solutions for their customers.

“What do you wear on game day?” is our slogan and www.SanMarSports.com

is a time-saving asset for our customers. The emphasis is on creating more authenticity across our brands, providing a massive assortment of apparel, hats and bags to service everyone’s “game day” needs. From player packs to fanwear, we even outfit the parking attendants to the concession workers as SanMar Sports is your gameday apparel solution.

Q: WHAT TYPE OF IMPACT DO YOU SEE THE ADDITION OF “SPORTS” TO THE SANMAR NAME MAKING WITHIN THE SPORTING GOODS INDUSTRY AND THE ATHLETIC COMMUNITY?

A: As SanMar moved into selling to team dealers it was seen solely as a basics provider. When you add Sports to our already great SanMar name, it helps exemplify our company focus and where our SanMar sporting goods division thrives. Sporting goods companies are often initially identified and recognized by their names, but as these companies grow, the brand icon evolves into a worldwide known logo/ brand. We also launched our new “S” logo that will help identify our SanMar Sports brand.

While SanMar is a giant in the promotional products world, we are in the early innings with our SanMar Sports team

which was built approximately 10 years ago. End users alone in the sports industry neglect to recognize SanMar as a brand. SanMar Sports identifies as both a distributor and a brand! We aren’t a “sexy” brand, we are just efficient and trustworthy in this ever-changing economy.

Q: HOW LONG HAD THE CHANGE TO SANMAR SPORTS BEEN DISCUSSED AND WHY WAS THE TIMING RIGHT TO ANNOUNCE IT NOW?

A: We have always tried to be more relevant to the team and sporting goods industry. Since our inception in the team channel, we have launched the following assets for our customers:

• SanMar Color Guide so a team’s organization won’t go from red today to green tomorrow.

• SanMar Team & Fanwear guide specifically for sporting goods customers.:

• The Launch of “What Do You Wear on Game Day,” which is trademarked and copyrighted.

• The Re-Launch of our Game Day site to www.SanMarSports.com, which showcases LIVE inventory.

• The Launch of our new brand SanMar Sports where customers can search by product, color, brand or sport and can utilize other important resources. Over the past several years, we have discussed how this would affect our business as well as the right timing to launch our new brand. Due to the challenges associated with the global supply chain, labor issues and transportation setbacks, which all negatively affected our industry, the decision was made to launch NOW! These resources were created to help our customers and end users find instock available inventory with one click of a button. SanMar has been known to be the go-to for companies that thrive on selling what is in stock, and now we have added an end-user feature that allows them to be more successful and efficient as ever!

Q: HOW WILL THE SANMAR SPORTS BRAND IMPACT/ AFFECT TEAM DEALERS AND RETAILERS? DOES IT MEAN ANY CHANGES IN HOW THEY WORK WITH YOU?

A: There are no changes in how our customers (team dealers/retailers) work with SanMar. We are all one company. Our goal is to develop and create SanMar Sports fans. The biggest impact is simply the commitment SanMar has made to the sporting goods business. Our goal is to continue to offer our customers and end users best-inclass service, quality products and subject-matter experts to support the process. SanMar Sports end users are finally able to associate with brands they are familiar with, including but not limited to Sport-Tek, Port Authority & Port & Co. Adding “Sports” to our company name has already changed how we are perceived in the marketplace. We have seen an immediate increase in traffic to www.SanMarSports.com website from team dealers utilizing the assets provided to help build online stores for coaches and teams throughout the country.

Q: WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE LONG-TERM BENEFITS FOR THE DEALERS, RETAILERS AND CONSUMERS FROM THE BRANDING CHANGE TO SANMAR SPORTS?

A: The rebranding gives our customers the ability to promote our authenticity in the marketplace. All our marketing tools and sales support assets will be specific to the athletic space. SanMar is now positioned in the sporting goods industry as a leading distributor of commodity items. Since the inception of the sporting goods channel, SanMar’s perception within this space has tremendously changed. The need to create a more authentic presence was needed. The SanMar Sports brand name, our newly branded logo, and new website has now propelled us to new milestones. The future is bright!

We have seen tremendous growth throughout the past five years. We have also been recognized by the NSGA Team Dealer Trends report on soft goods as the company with the highest ratings in “All Attributes” and “Overall Feeling Towards The Brand.”

The new SanMar Sports Brand will showcase our sporting goods channel and was developed to benefit our team dealers, retailers and consumers for years to come! Our company will continue to focus on growing our product assortment under all of our proprietary brands. We have specifically devoted new resources around product and fabric development which will positively impact our customer base and will provide them with more specialized products to sell as they work to build their business. The long-term benefits are endless as we are just seeing the beginning effects of this new brand evolve.

What are some of your new and innovative products the industry should know about?

Chipply is full of innovation. Each year we map major enhancements with our primary goal to eliminate bottlenecks in executing web stores. With automated image placement, work orders, inventory management and auto pricing already in place, Chipply dealers are growing much faster than the industry average. We most recently deployed our full-service automated purchase order utility so all those products can be ordered directly from vendors with just one click. This tool is feature-rich and industry specific. It

Platinum SUPPORTER

Chipply’s roots grew from one of the country’s oldest sporting goods stores. It was created by the management of Burghardt Sporting Goods, a team dealer and retailer in New Berlin, Wisconsin, which has been part of the Milwaukee area since 1881. In 2006, Burghardt’s created its first online spiritwear sites and after a few years of software tweaks and training team stores became a fast-growing and required part of everyday business in 2010. Group online ordering exploded, growing tenfold by 2017. Along the way, new software alternatives became available, making it easy for team dealers to get online and start creating team stores. After looking closely at these options, Burghardt’s decided what it already had was the best alternative. Burghardt’s decided to re-write the software to be shared with other team dealers. It added a bunch of great new features and created Chipply.

provides flexibility so dealers can utilize it without changing their workflow. Automated purchasing enhances efficiency and accuracy throughout the fulfillment process.

How does working with the dealer/retailer network help enhance your brand?

The dealer/retailer network is more important than ever! Chipply has proven that working together with our peers in the industry is not only fulfilling and educational, but a powerful resource that we can all lean on to inspire change, advancement and growth. We recently held an on-site dealer summit

where various forums were designed to help dealers collaborate and learn from each other on topics from business operations to customer service and technology.

What drives the passion your company and your team members have for sports and the sporting goods industry?

With a family sporting goods retailer and team dealer (Burghardt Sporting Goods) as our sister company, Chipply is driven by a longstanding passion to deliver excellence in sporting goods and services to athletes and organizations so they can be their best and focus on the things they love to do. Chipply wouldn’t exist if the sporting goods industry and all our dealer peers weren’t passionate about our communities and the people we serve. Yes, Chipply is a technological business enhancement, but it’s also a network of like-minded people. Our passion is to support you in your purpose.

What are you looking forward to at this year’s Management Conference? Why is it important to attend?

Meeting peers and business partners in person is way more fun and effective than other ways of connecting. We are excited to get to know new people and connect with industry leaders. Attending the Management Conference is an opportunity to learn more about what’s been going on in the industry and continue growing partnerships with dealers and vendors.

What are some of your new and innovative products the industry should know about?

We are bringing game-changing technology to the fields and courts with our new Apex Digital Pump and Stealth Handheld Digital Pump (for inflatable balls). We are also on the cutting edge of sport with our new 18-inch Hall Molded Base, which meets the new 2023 Major League Baseball onfield specifications. Lastly, we are excited to enhance our off-field business with the arrival of our new Stock Fleece lineup!

Platinum SUPPORTER

CHAMPRO was founded in 1986 by Wilson “Bill” Hunt, a Class of 2022 inductee in the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame, and has grown to offer the most comprehensive line of sporting goods equipment and apparel in the industry. CHAMPRO started with a mission of striving to build teams by providing low-cost, high-value equipment and apparel. Our core values are delivering WOW through service, questioning the status quo, being creative and driving change, building a positive team environment with a fun, family spirit, cultivating honest, candid relationships, obsessing with efficiency, being humble and making it happen! Distribution centers at our headquarters in Wheeling, Illinois, in the Chicago suburbs, and Fresno, California, gives CHAMPRO the ability to provide two-day delivery to most of the continental United States.

How does working with the dealer/retailer network help enhance your brand?

Nobody can service athletes, teams, leagues and schools the way a local retailer and dealer can. They elevate our brand through their service to their customers.

What drives the passion your company and your team members have for sports and the sporting goods industry?

Our Mission/Purpose is “We inspire people to be team players for life.”

What are you looking forward to at this year’s Management Conference? Why is it important to attend?

The opportunity for our brand to improve through listening to our customers about where we can improve. Feedback drives us in our pursuit of perfection.

Platinum SUPPORTER

Augusta Sportswear Brands is driven by a mission to inspire a physically fit lifestyle, healthy families and connected communities. As a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of high-performance activewear and spiritwear for teams, coaches, athletes, fans & corporate needs, our family of brands offers a complete source for performance and athletic apparel and uniforms from head to toe. Augusta Sportswear was founded in 1977 and has Holloway, High Five, Russell Athletic, Pacific Headwear and CCM Hockey in its portfolio.

What are some of your new and innovative products the industry should know about?

There are many new collections we’re excited about that have recently been released, from the super-soft sustainable and versatile Ventura warmup collection to the Pacific Headwear Weekender series of stylish performance headwear. The Cutter+ value multisport uniform collection is simply the top performance uniform in the industry. Of course, we always like showcasing the ever-growing FreeStyle Sublimation platform and products. It boasts new design lines, fabrics and builder improvements that keep it solidly in the top spot when it comes to custom sublimation.

How does working with the dealer/retailer network help enhance your brand?

Our dealer partners are critical to our success and without them we’re not on fields across North America like we are today. Getting our products in the hands of coaches, administrators and league directors is essential to growing our brand footprint in every sport. That’s all about our dealers and we value this special relationship and work on it every day in terms of listening, partnering and working to get better at how we service them.

What drives the passion your company and your team members have for sports and the sporting goods industry?

First and foremost we love to compete and strive to be the best in the industry at

serving our customers and satisfying their customers with the best value in sports. We are made up of former athletes that still

strive every day to be the best they can off the field and we think that shows through in how we operate our business day-in, dayout at ASB.

What are you looking forward to at this year’s Management Conference? Why is it important to attend?

Customer feedback is so big for us. It’s incredibly valuable and in our ASB culture we treat it like gold. What can we do better? Where are we not meeting needs? What are the trends we need to react to more quickly? Where can we go even deeper to expand further and provide more value? We get these and other questions answered at this conference and other touchpoints during the course of the year.

The friendships that go well beyond business connections are special to start with. In addition, it’s certainly a tight-knit industry that makes this a can’t-miss event where you learn and grow from just being around industry leaders that we eagerly glean insights from. For us, it’s just important to be there and absorb, learn and grow while we connect with friends and colleagues. We think it’s critical to hit pause for a few days to listen and learn from our customers. It’s something we look forward to and walk away so much more knowledgeable than before we arrived. We applaud the NSGA team for putting it on in such a fun and interesting way and pushing boundaries along the way to make it better each year.

CONFERENCE SPOTLIGHT:

BY BRUCE MILES

FLICK, MANN BRING DYNAMIC PERSPECTIVES TO LEADERSHIP

Tom Flick spent parts of four seasons as an NFL quarterback, going eye to eye with middle linebackers such as Hall of Famer Jack Lambert of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also threw touchdown passes to Hall of Famer Charlie Joiner and Pro Bowler Wes Chandler.

That career helped Flick for his next calling as a speaker on leadership and motivation.

But don’t expect too many football war stories when Flick speaks to NSGA’s Management Conference and Team Dealer Summit, May 21–23, in Nashville, Tennessee.

“When I first started, I really kind of kept my football career at bay,” he said. “I don’t tell a lot of third-and-10 stories or go back and say, ‘It was great back then and let me tell you about my football career.’ I’ll use some football analogies that really might make crystal clear sense. But typically it’s kind of self-deprecating humor. I don’t look like a football player anymore. I’ll poke fun at myself. I don’t take myself seriously, but I take the information pretty darn seriously.”

Flick is one of two speakers bringing decades of experience on leadership to NSGA. Dan Mann is an author and speaker whose new book is titled “Leading Change: How to Achieve Superior Results with Gentle Pressure Relentlessly Applied.”

Like Flick, Mann is a dynamic speaker who tailors his presentations to his audience. Conference attendees will hear talks aimed specifically at them and their unique needs.

“I’ve seen speakers who have a boilerplate presentation that they’ve put a pretty good power point to, and they’ve got their jokes lined up,” said Mann, who works with many sporting goods retailers. “I’ve not really enjoyed that kind of presentation for myself. My first thought is, ‘How can I make this as custom and one of a kind as possible?’ Of course, I do

have certain themes that I tend to reside in and things that I think are important. If I have a new audience, my thought is, ‘How do I match what I’m going to chat about to this unique audience?’

“It begins with a bit of discovery of who the audience is and what their pain points are — what are they facing right now? And how do I craft both the topic and the metaphors and the stories to their world? So a bit of discovery is how I try to go about doing that.”

Flick and Mann will be speaking before NSGA members from different-sized companies, from small to very large. The needs and challenges facing all of them have much in common.

“At the retail level, there’s an awful lot of common ground; it’s a question of scale,” Mann said. “If I were to go out to the largest of the sporting-goods retailers and the smallest of the sporting-goods retailers, they’re going to say things that are really similar. They’re going to say, ‘You just cannot find good people, just cannot keep good people, nobody wants to work anymore, how do I increase commitment among my leadership group, how do I tell my compelling story and make it unique, how do I compete against my own brand, my own vendors, online?’

“So there’s a series of pain points that I think they’re all facing. At the management level, ‘How do I get my sales team to behave in the most precise way for maximizing the transaction as well as giving a great customer experience?’ Training is one thing. But then developing a process and skills so people repeat that and are consistent with it are the same.

Speaker and author Dan Mann of The Mann Group.

“So if I’m a $3 million retailer or if I’m a $30 million retailer or a $300 million retailer, I probably have those same questions and challenges. Just smaller levels or larger levels.”

Flick frames these challenges as boiling down to the important distinction between “management” and “leadership.”

“There are some universals,” he said. “I speak about leadership. When I use the term, many people will think title or position in the organization. The distinction between leadership and management is gigantic. It is very significant because we have leaders that are managing when they should be leading. These two words are so distinctly different. They take you to two different places.

“Management is basically budgeting, planning, staffing, controlling, problem solving. It has given us the modern-day corporation. It’s awesome. Leadership is vision, strategy, communicating that vision and strategy, motivating action, inspiring people, getting buy-in. Management is more of a defensive posture, where leadership is more of an offensive posture.

“You’ve got leadership that’s proactive, and management is really kind of defensive and reactive. Offense is leadership, which is energizing. You play defense in management. It’s draining. I’ve never heard any announcer in my life say, ‘The offense is exhausted. They’re scoring touchdown after touchdown after touchdown.’ That’s the same way in life.”

Another issue facing NSGA members and their employees is burnout.

“This has been a perennial problem,” Mann said. “I find that people face burnout when maybe the job itself doesn’t really match their ideology in terms of their life goals or what they’re trying to do. I hear people talk about a work-life balance as if work and life are separate things. So, ‘I’m going to work and I’m going to sell my soul and I’m not going to have any fun today, and then I’m going to go home and have my life where I have fun and I’m really fulfilled.’

“I think that when we hire badly and we put people in the roles that are just looking for a job, they’re just looking to earn a paycheck, they’re just looking to calculate the benefit they’re getting, the financial benefit or what insurances that they have. That’s a financial equation versus my life, where I pursue my passions. Boy, that is recipe for burnout because it’s very hard to maintain that.”

Flick’s presentations often center on “aiming for the heart.” That’s particularly important with issues such as burnout.

“What I encourage leaders to do is to really get down to the level of the folks they’re hiring and really get engaged with them and start to build a relationship with them because when people enjoy who they’re working with and are given responsibility as well, it allows them to have skin in the game and ownership,” he said. “The biggest challenge I find, interestingly, when I go work with these organizations is they end up making it an intellectual exercise. So we talk about ROI and metrics and analytics and strategy, which is really important.

“But for the person sitting in the seat, they’re human beings, so we need to engage their heart as much as their head. Research says that feelings are more influential than thought when it comes to effecting change and changing behavior. So we need to engage the head and the heart.”

For both Mann and Flick, their roads to successful speakers/presenters have been lifelong journeys. Mann started with a men’s clothing retailer, moved up the ranks and found his calling in training and team building.

“I’m very passionate about it as life’s work,” he said. “Life’s work is something that, ‘If I can do this work, I’m helping others. And if they will invest in themselves to develop others, and they’re good at that — they coach, train, teach and inspire — then, everywhere they go, they’re going to be successful,’ whether it’s in the retail world, the manufacturing world.”

As for Flick, it’s been fulfilling one dream after another in life.

“You have a dream as a kid and you achieve it,” he said. “Then it comes to an end. When I finished [playing football], there was a period of about a year where I wasn’t sure what I needed to do or wanted to do. I felt a calling. I’m not taking you on a spiritual journey, but I felt the Lord saying, ‘This is what I built you for, that football was the precursor to what you’re made for.’ An interesting backdrop to the story is I’m pretty much shy and quiet. When I get up on stage, I just feel like this where I was meant to be, and this is where God gave me the skills and tools to be.

“I don’t know if I share this much in my talks, but I took the disciplines I learned in football and applied them to business, and they made the jump very easily. So I just hustled. I was a hustler. I just worked hard. I scrapped for things. I was competitive. And I had a deep desire to learn. You don’t get to the ranks of the NFL if you’re not interested in learning. So I just kept digging into things.”

Bruce Miles has covered sports in Chicago for more than 40 years. His new book, “The Franchise: Chicago Cubs,” will be out this summer. This is his second piece for NSGA NOW.

Leadership speaker Tom Flick played quarterback at the University of Washington before going to the NFL.

What are some of your new and innovative products the industry should know about?

Sweatless™ Get a Grip ™ is an exclusive “two-in-one” design which features lightweight sweatband panels sewn into key action areas of performance garments to provide athletes with superior grip and eliminating the need for a complimentary towel. New in football uniforms, the Titan Jersey is fully reversible and fully custom sublimated. This full-length jersey contours to the shoulder and arms for a full range of motion and a no-grab fit. It is made with Dura-MAX mesh stretch body to increase range of motions while offering high-abrasion resistance.

How does working with the dealer/retailer network help enhance your brand?

Founder Sport Group brands Badger Sport, Alleson Athletic, C2 Sport and Garb Athletic are well-known trade brands. Our dealers demand quality, service, and value and our brands have delivered since their inception. Dealers and their road sales teams are our conduit to the coaches and organizations that we service best. Just as we must earn the trust of our dealers each day, they are working each day to earn the trust of their customers. Trust continues to build relationships and relationships with service drives business.

SUPPORTERGold

Founder Sport Group features industry-leading stock and customizable performance wear brands and partners with the finest team dealers, decorators and distributors in the US to equip teams and organizations with innovative, quality apparel. We have a deep inventory of performance-lab approved garments ready for immediate ship. We are North America’s leaders in custom sublimation, with lead times as short as two days. Our global design teams work across the world to bring the latest innovations to market and we adhere to the highest standards in company-owned manufacturing plants. From the field to the stands, and at every practice along the way, Founder Sport Group makes quality apparel accessible to all at the speed of sport.

What drives the passion your company and your team members have for sports and the sporting goods industry?

Most of us are ex-athletes living in a world of teamwork and collaboration driving to one common goal, to make quality apparel accessible to all at the speed of sport. We deliver win/win/win solutions from our plants, to our dealers, to athletes and fans nationwide.

What are you looking forward to at this year’s Management Conference? Why is it important to attend?

The Speed Networking sessions are really important to us. We get a quick snapshot of what our customers are facing in the marketplace and what they expect from us to help meet their challenges. And it is always great to meet in an environment that is open and conducive to an exchange of information that NSGA cultivates throughout the event.

What are some of your new and innovative products the industry should know about?

Alphabroder is a leader in innovation and bringing new products and services to the market. We carry over 60 brands in apparel and hard goods promotional products. This year, alphabroder will market and sell on one website blank and decorated apparel and

SUPPORTERGold

Allphabroder-Prime Line combines 10 companies with rich histories going back more than 100 years. The diversity of these companies and our more than 90,000 customers continues to fuel alphabroder-Prime Line innovation. Our primary objective is to enable our customers to drive their own innovations and grow their business. Our mission is, “Empower our Customers to Brand the World Through Market-Leading Service, Products & Solutions.”

How does working with the dealer/retailer network help enhance your brand?

The dealers are the lifeblood of the industry, our customers drive awareness for our brands and that creates value for our brands. They enhance our brand by helping us communicate the message around our brands that they sell to teams, coaches and parents.

What drives the passion your company and your team members have for sports and the sporting goods industry? Our company is driven by our ICARE values and this translates to the sporting goods industry. ICARE stands for Integrity, Customer Care, Accountability, Respect and Excellence. We strive to provide this every day and we are competitive about it — no different than the sporting goods industry.

What are you looking forward to at this year’s Management Conference? Why is it important to attend?

promotional products. We are changing the game and becoming the best single source supplier in the industry, making the job of the dealer easier and more efficient. Whether it’s decorated Under Armour apparel or Under Armour drinkwear and 60 other brands, alphabroder can provide this like no one else in the industry.

The Management Conference is about generating new relationships and developing existing partnerships. The sporting goods industry runs on relationships from the dealer to the coach and from the supplier to the dealer. We are excited to be a part of that family and look forward to seeing everyone this year!

What are some of your new and innovative products the industry should know about?

Our NEW W Fabric, which is our Essential fleece, is 100% poly that feels like cotton, weighs 8.26 ounces and has a 50+ UPF. Our NEW V Fabric, which is our Velvet Jersey, is 95% poly and 5% Spandex. The hand is SUPER SOFT, weighs 5.3 ounces and is 50+ UPF.

How does working with the dealer/retailer network help enhance your brand?

Because EG-PRO is the manufacturer we are better able to react to customers’ needs to satisfy the end-user.

Silver SUPPORTER

EG-PRO Performance Gear is a factory direct manufacturer of blank athletic apparel designed and engineered for screen-printing, embroidery and sublimation decoration processes. For the past 20 years EG-PRO has been behind the scenes manufacturing and importing blank apparel for some of the industry’s giants so we have carried their reputations firmly on our shoulders. We are 100% vertical, which is how we can develop and introduce new fabrics on a consistent basis. We believe you will fall in love with our advanced fabrics, performance technologies, high quality, attentive customer service and revolutionary prices.

What drives the passion your company and your team members have for sports and the sporting goods industry?

EG-PRO is a Polyester Manufacturer but we are not the old-school poly company. Our ability to mix poly and spandex gives us a leg up on the competition, enabling us to become a leader in the sporting goods apparel channel.

What are you looking forward to at this year’s Management Conference? Why is it important to attend?

We always look forward to the roundtable meetings in Speed Networking. We are able to have a one-on-one conversation with industry leaders. This allows EG-PRO to introduce new styles and fabrics on a more personal level.

THE AERO MESH IS A SOFT HAND CLOSED HOLE MESH FABRIC THAT HAS A MATTE SURFACE WITH A VERTICAL CLOSED-HOLE MESH TEXTURE.

P327 / AERO MESH MEN’S P.E.SHORT (9” INSEAM)

P336 / AERO MESH MEN’S P.E.SHORT (7” INSEAM)

P328Y / AERO MESH YOUTH P.E. SHORT (GRADED INSEAM)

It is time to put your spirit pack together, with our selection of styles!

Custom orders available Cut & Sewn directly from our factories

NSGA SPORTS PARTICIPATION SHOWS INCREASES FOR MAJORITY OF SEGMENTS TRACKED

People taking advantage of opportunities to participate in a wide range of sports and activities in 2022 was reflected in the 10 segments tracked for the 2023 edition of the National Sporting Goods Association’s (NSGA) Sports Participation in the U.S. report. The industry’s longest-standing and most comprehensive participation study saw seven segments increase in participation, two segments remain relatively flat and one segment decrease compared to 2021.

Segments showing growth, according to NSGA’s Total Participation Points (TPP) measure, included Indoor Sports (+8.4%), Individual Sports (+7.2%), Outdoor (+6.3%), Wheel Sports (+4.2%), Open Water Sports (+3.9%), Personal Contact Sports (+1.5%) and Team Sports (+1.2%). Remaining relatively flat were the segments of Snow Sports (-0.7%) and Fitness (-0.7%). The only segment showing a slight decline was Shooting Sports (-1.3%).

“It was great to see so many segments experience participation increases in 2022,” said Nick Rigitano, NSGA Director of Insights & Analysis. “This ultimately helps lead to more opportunities for retailers, team dealers and manufacturers to sell products related to those activities. “We saw a good recovery of some segments in 2021 coming out of COVID-19. It was also encouraging to see team sports show some growth in 2022 after a significant decline in 2020 and slight drop in 2021.”

The increase in the Indoor Sports segment was driven by increases in billiards/pool, dart throwing and table tennis. Individual sports saw pickleball participation nearly double (+79%) while bowling and swimming both increased for the second straight year. The Outdoor segment experienced strong gains led by hiking and camping (vacation/overnight). Bicycle riding, in-line roller skating and mountain biking (off road) drove

the increase in Wheel Sports. The Open Water segment saw moderate gains in all six activities tracked.

The team sports segment saw mixed results but was ultimately up slightly as increases in volleyball, basketball and flag football offset slight decreases in lacrosse, ice hockey and soccer.

For snow sports, an increase in cross country skiing offset slight decreases in alpine skiing and snowboarding to keep the segment relatively flat compared to the previous year. The fitness segment also remained flat as an increase in working out at club/gym/fitness studio helped offset a decrease in exercise walking.

Lastly, the shooting sports segment showed slight declines compared to the previous year as a slight increase in hunting with firearms was not able to offset slight declines for the rest of the activities tracked in this segment.

The 2023 Sports Participation in the U.S. report will be available in the coming weeks on NSGA’s website. The report tracks 55+ sports and recreational activities and includes easy-to-understand, quick-view snapshots for each, allowing users to easily see a 10-year participation trend (when available), as well as demographic details regarding age, income and U.S. region. NSGA’s participation research also includes Cross Participation, Lifecycle Demographics and SingleSport reports.

Go to www.nsga.org/research/ to learn more about NSGA’s research products.

CONGRATULATIONS

2023 SPORTING GOODS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

Jim Keen Congrats.indd

What are some of your new and innovative products the industry should know about?

The www.sanmarsports.com website is end-user friendly and has several winning attributes that can save sales reps a lot of search TIME! It allows coaches and corporate customers to view LIVE inventory, listed at retail prices only. You choose products based on several options such as color, brand, cost and fabric, create lineups to share with others and use our resources page with online catalogs, Playbook for Good, Better, Best options, Single Sport Flyers and Spirit Pack ideas. We are offering new brands such as Brooks Brothers, Spacecraft and Tommy Bahama and updated styles and fits from Russell Outdoors. We have added 13 new Travis Mathew styles and a youth long sleeve District Tri-blend tee (DT132Y) to round out our assortment.

How does working with the dealer/retailer network help enhance your brand?

Our dealer base is our lifeline to the team channel and their passion for SanMar Sports has helped us continue to grow. Every time our dealer network puts our products on a Team Store, we get more brand recognition. Our customers continue to push us for new products and innovative items to complement our huge assortment. Working

Silver SUPPORTER

SanMar Sports is making meaningful connections that elevate lives. When you put on your favorite shirt you become a part of something: a club, a team, a school, a company or a movement. This creates a connection that brings people together and these connections reach beyond our employees, partners and customers. They impact organizations, individuals and the world we all live in.

with our dealers is the only way to educate and build relationships for our brand. Building relationships takes time and creates trust and loyalty. SanMar Sports helps our customers win every day with same-day shipping, orders ship complete, product quality, leading brands and industry leading inventory. It makes it easier to create trust and loyalty by having these game-winning results.

What drives the passion your company and your team members have for sports and the sporting goods industry?

Our experience in the business and our desire to increase our brand presence and distribution. We strive to be a trusted partner to our customers. We want to make sure our dealers and customers have the best resources to increase their sales and profits each year. The passion for SanMar was built on one man’s dream to create a quality product that could tell a story. Marty Lott’s dream that started in 1971 turned into reality by surrounding himself with individuals who are as passionate as he is about delivering that quality product in a fast and efficient timeframe. This family-owned company, now led by Marty’s son, Jeremy, has created a winning culture and loyalty for our employees as well as our customers. Our SanMar Sports team makes up the most passionate in the business. Each of us played sports

throughout high school and college. Our team is made up of subject-matter experts with over 150 years of experience in sporting goods. We all enjoy being a part of SanMar Sports as our teamwork helps provide products on the backs of players, fans and coaches throughout the country. Our company values and success allow us to “WIN” every day!

What are you looking forward to at this year’s Management Conference? Why is it important to attend?

The networking is the most valuable part as you are able to access industry executives outside of their offices and on a neutral site to discuss all things sport. We also bring our entire team to the event because they learn and grow relationships with people outside their regions and become more educated in the business across the country. It’s always good to connect with your dealers and other industry representatives and hear updates on their business. The speakers help us gauge where NSGA feels the industry is going and what we at SanMar Sports should be aware of. We have also started a new tradition around the Management Conference: Our merchandising team and SanMar Sports team meet each year at the event site to brainstorm and plan future product launches.

What are some of your new and innovative products the industry should know about?

ASICS is eclipsing our 1-year anniversary of our new sublimation partnership. This partnership has made it significantly easier for our dealers to order sublimation. We have seen a strong response in year one to this partnership and are excited about the future growth for this segment of business at ASICS.

Silver SUPPORTER

ASICS’ medium-term company strategy, VISION2030, lays out our long-term mission to Create Quality Lifestyles through Intelligent Sports Technology. ASICS’ goal is to ensure a world where everyone can engage in exercise and sports throughout our lives and continue to live in good health — mentally and physically. We endeavor to continue to utilize the intelligent sports technology we have developed over the years and continue to offer environmentally friendly and sustainable goods and services that will be enjoyed and trusted by all sports lovers and ASICS stakeholders.

What drives the passion your company and your team members have for sports and the sporting goods industry?

In 1949 ASICS was founded in war-torn Japan by Kihachiro Onitsuka. His mission was to outfit the youth of Japan to get them into sports and live a healthy life. This is true of ASICS today. Our goal is to allow all people to live a Sound Mind in a Sound Body, which is what ASICS means translated from Latin: Anima Sana In Corpore Sano.

How does working with the dealer/retailer network help enhance your brand?

The dealer network is the lifeblood of the ASICS Team. With limited resources, we rely on the depth of our dealer’s sales force to help saturate the marketplace with ASICS. The relationships with our dealers are key to the overall success of outfitting the young team consumer at ASICS.

What are you looking forward to at this year’s Management Conference? Why is it important to attend?

The Speed Networking portion is what we look forward to. It gives us a one-stop opportunity to see multiple dealers and get feedback from them on what they need to succeed. Being able to see multiple dealers and network with them makes attending the conference so valuable for ASICS.

COURT FF ™ 3

Designed to help you swing stronger and recover quicker between shots.

Borna Coric

ASICS Tennis Player

OrderMyGear (OMG) named Mykayla Goodwin as Vice President of Strategy. Goodwin will play a pivotal role in identifying growth opportunities for OMG and guiding company strategy through market research and strategic planning.

Since joining OMG in 2019, Goodwin has positioned herself as a trusted strategy and product marketing leader within the company. She has built the product marketing function and supported the OMG team in multiple roles, including marketing, product management, and strategy. Goodwin is currently leading the integration of OMG and BrightStores following the recent acquisition, bringing together two market-leading technology platforms in the sporting goods and promotional products space. She will also continue to assist with positioning to ensure prospects and clients understand who OMG is and how the company helps promotional product distributors, apparel decorators, and team dealers grow online sales.

“I am thrilled to take on this new role and continue working with the best team in the business,” Goodwin said. “The growth of eCommerce combined with OMG’s

strong reputation and commitment to providing market-leading technology for selling branded merchandise online makes it an especially exciting time to be in this position. I look forward to collaborating with our talented team and clients as we blaze the trail for online stores and group commerce, together.”

Prior to joining OMG, Goodwin led product marketing at Kibo Commerce, an enterprise B2C and B2B commerce solution for retailers, where she was responsible for positioning and messaging, analyst relations, and market intelligence.

OrderMyGear is a longtime member of the National Sporting Goods Association and supporter of the Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit.

STAHLS’ RELEASES NEW HEAT TRANSFER VINYL

STAHLS’ recently released CAD-CUT® Chroma-TWILL™, a heat transfer vinyl that offers a glossy, iridescent shine with the feel of woven fabric. CAD-CUT® Chroma-TWILL™ combines the look and texture of traditional twill with a shimmering effect. Available in a variety of vibrant color options including neon, this specialty material is ideal for creating stand-out finishes in any market, including fashion, spirit wear, athleisure, children’s clothing and more.

Chroma-TWILL™ applies with only a heat press; there’s no need for any embroidery equipment. Decorators can create dazzling designs for cotton or polyester fabric without sewing and profit through heat printing with trendy, in-demand apparel.

STAHLS’ is a longtime National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) member and supporter of the Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit.

DICK’S ACQUIRES MOOSEJAW

DICK’S Sporting Goods announced it has agreed to acquire leading outdoor retailer Moosejaw from Walmart. The acquisition will expand DICK’S outdoor

portfolio — currently led by its specialty retailer, Public Lands — and reaffirm its commitment to the long-term business opportunity in the growing multibillion-dollar outdoor category.

Moosejaw, founded in Michigan in 1992, operates a highly successful e-commerce platform, has a loyal customer base, strong vendor relationships with leading outdoor brands and a passionate workforce. Moosejaw also operates brick-and-mortar locations in Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan and Missouri.

After several years of development, DICK’S launched Public Lands in 2021 with the mission to celebrate and protect public lands for all. The brand has since grown to seven retail locations and a thriving e-commerce presence.

WILSON INTRODUCES 3D AIRLESS PROTOTYPE BASKETBALL

Wilson, the Official Basketball of the National Basketball Association (NBA), introduced the 3D Airless Prototype Basketball during the first round of the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest when it was used by the Houston Rockets’ KJ Martin. The first-of-its-kind 3D printed ball is truly playable, nearly fitting the performance specifications of a regulation basketball, including its weight, size and rebound (bounce). The ball, however, does not need to be inflated because it is comprised of a black, see-through lattice with eight panel-like “lobes.”

ORDERMYGEAR NAMES GOODWIN VP OF STRATEGY

While the 3D Airless Prototype Basketball showcases the shared drive for innovation between Wilson and the NBA, there will be no changes made to the Wilson NBA official game ball, which will continue to be comprised of the same leather materials, eight-panel configuration, and performance specifications currently in use.

THE NPD GROUP PART OF REBRAND TO CIRCANA

Following their merger in August 2022, Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) and The NPD Group (NPD) unveiled a new combined company name and brand identity: Circana.

Circana™ is the leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior. Through unparalleled technology, advanced analytics, cross-industry data and deep expertise, Circana provides clarity that helps clients take action and unlock business growth.

Leveraging the vast data and expertise of its heritage firms, Circana tracks millions of products spanning 2,000-plus categories across 500,000-plus stores in 20 countries, with insights powered by the industry’s most advanced technology platform, Liquid Data®. Today, Circana advises almost 7,000 brands and retailers worldwide.

NIKE, PUMA TO STOP USING KANGAROO LEATHER

Nike and Puma announced they will stop using kangaroo leather in their products.

Nike said it will “stop making any product with kangaroo leather” by the end of 2023, in a statement it sent to ESPN. Nike said its Tiempo soccer shoes will “debut with a new Nike-only, proprietary synthetic upper, a new material that is a better performance solution and replaces the use of kangaroo leather.”

California currently prohibits the sale of kangaroo-based products. Oregon introduced a bill in mid-January that would ban sales of any part of a dead kangaroo or any products containing a part of a dead kangaroo. A bipartisan bill was also introduced in the House of Representatives, the Kangaroo Protection Act of 2021 (H.R. 917), that would ban the sale of all kangaroo products in the U.S. for commercial purposes.

Puma said it will stop producing football boots with kangaroo leather altogether this year, according to ESPN. Its latest King model will feature a new, non-animal based upper material.

MLS, ADIDAS EXTEND PARTNERSHIP

Major League Soccer (MLS) and adidas announced a multi-year extension of their partnership. Under the multi-faceted agreement, adidas will continue as the official supplier for the League, its clubs and youth academies. As a founding, strategic partner of MLS, adidas remains at the core of the League’s efforts to grow its business both on and off the field in North America and beyond. To support this partnership endeavor, adidas will bolster key development efforts with MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT.

As part of the renewed, long-term agreement, adidas continues as the Official Sponsor, Footwear Provider, and Apparel Provider of MLS, and will recognize the best in youth soccer as presenting partner of the MLS NEXT Golden Ball (MVP) and MLS NEXT Best XI.

Adidas will continue outfitting MLS Clubs with all jerseys, footwear, training gear and sideline apparel, and will also provide the official match ball for all MLS properties — including MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT. The new agreement features additional investment in youth development and community activation.

MLS and adidas began their relationship at the League’s inception in 1996.

CPSC ANNOUNCES YETI COOLER RECALL, ISSUES WARNING ON BICYCLE HELMET

Yeti recalled approximately 1.9 million soft cooler bags and gear cases because of an issue with detached magnets. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) also warned bicycle riders to immediately stop using TureClos helmets because they don’t comply with federal safety standards.

The Yeti bags being recalled have magnet-lined closures that can degrade or fail and create an ingestion hazard. The recalled products include:

• The Hopper M20 Backpack

• Two types of the Hopper M30 tote-style ooler

• The SideKick Dry gear case

The bags were sold at retailers, including Dick’s Sporting Goods, from March 2018-January 2023. They came in a variety of colors and ranged in price from $50 for the gear case to $350 for the large soft cooler. Nearly 41,000 units were sold in Canada.

There have been nearly 1,400 reports of the magnet-lined closures degrading or failing. Magnets pose a risk of death or injury if they are ingested.

The CPSC also said the TureClos bicycle helmets can fail to protect riders in the event of a crash and pose a risk of head injury. The seller, a company from China, refused to recall the helmets or offer a remedy to consumers, according the CPSC.

They were sold online at walmart.com from March-November 2022 for about $13. They were solid in a large size (fitting a head of circumference of about 22½ to 25 inches) and they are black with blue accents, black and white stripes and a red buckle.

Continued Page 40

What are some of your new and innovative products the industry should know about?

The Flexfit 110® series continues to be one of the most innovative and hottest trends in the industry. Named for its ability to fit 10 sizes with one cap, Flexfit 110® combines Flexfit® technology with the ease of an adjustable snapback closure. These are by far the most comfortable caps in the industry.

How does working with the dealer/retailer network help enhance your brand?

Having our new CA Premium Line with external branding featuring the CA Shield on players’ heads has helped enhance our brand

Silver SUPPORTER

Cap America’s growth into a successful business is rooted in the support of the small town and people of Fredericktown, Missouri. We strive to make the purchase of headwear a confident and easy experience and you will partner with a valuable resource who will go the extra mile to earn and keep your business. Cap America also strives to be an active participant in the community, from investing in local educational programs to reducing our carbon footprint, and to give back to those who supported us since we were founded in 1985.

tremendously. We’re seeing the branding everywhere from on the field to in the airport to at the pool in Mexico! We have come a long way in a short period of time!

What drives the passion your company and your team members have for sports and the sporting goods industry?

Cap America has excelled in the promotional products industry for over three decades, and we are passionate about bringing everything we are good at and known for into this industry: deep inventory, quick turn times, free spec samples and more. We are always challenging ourselves to improve and do better not only for ourselves, but for

our customers. We share the same drive and energy that many of the dealers, coaches and athletes within this industry possess, and we are excited to challenge the status quo and push ourselves to succeed alongside our dealer partners.

What are you looking forward to at this year’s Management Conference? Why is it important to attend?

As always, the networking is key at the Management Conference. It gives us the opportunity to meet with owners and salespeople all in one place and continue to build lifelong partnerships for success.

Continued From Page 37

TEAM NEWS

Rates data, and must meet their sport’s minimum competition and participant requirements. If legislation is adopted, the NCAA governance structure works to establish a championship. That process can take two years or longer to work through logistics such as budgeting, site selection and other details.

RUGBY

In 2021–22, 23 schools reported sponsoring rugby — nine more than in 2016–17. Of those 23 schools, eight are from Division I, six are from Division II and nine are from Division III. The 2021–22 data shows more than 650 student-athletes participated in rugby, with roster sizes that range from 21–35.

In a year where the celebration of Title IX’s 50th anniversary is front and center in college athletics, the NCAA’s Emerging Sports for Women Program continues to be a catalyst for increasing opportunities for female student-athletes.

Since the program was established in 1994, based on a recommendation from the NCAA Gender Equity Task Force, five women’s sports have earned NCAA championship status: rowing (1996), ice hockey (2000), water polo (2000), bowling (2003) and beach volleyball (2015). In the 2021–22 academic year, those sports collectively included more than 13,000 student-athletes, about 6% of the total student-athletes competing in NCAA women’s championship sports, according to the most recent NCAA Sports Sponsorship and Participation Rates data released in December by NCAA research. Women’s rowing accounted for more than 6,800 of those student-athletes, per the data.

Three sports in the Emerging Sports for Women program — acrobatics and tumbling, triathlon and women’s wrestling — are nearing the sponsorship threshold required for CWA to consider whether the committee will recommend them to the NCAA governance structure for championship consideration.

To be legislatively considered for an NCAA championship, sports in the Emerging Sports for Women program must be sponsored at the varsity level by at least 40 schools, based on the NCAA Sports Sponsorship and Participation

Five sports are currently in the Emerging Sports for Women program: acrobatics and tumbling, equestrian, rugby, triathlon and women’s wrestling. Stunt was approved as an emerging sport by Division II at the 2023 NCAA Convention and will be added to the program in August. Here is a summary of the sports currently in the program, including the 2021–22 sports sponsorship numbers schools reported to the NCAA.

ACROBATICS AND TUMBLING

In 2021–22, 33 schools reported sponsoring acrobatics and tumbling, which was added to the program in 2020–21. Currently, two Division II conferences — the Mountain East Conference (nine members) and Conference Carolinas (11 members, including affiliate members from the Peach Belt Conference and South Atlantic Conference) — sponsor a conference championship in the sport. In total, 22 schools in Division II sponsored the sport in 2021-22.

Acrobatics and tumbling rosters range from 22-42, with nearly 900 student-athletes reported in the latest NCAA participation data.

EQUESTRIAN (DIVISIONS I AND II ONLY)

In the 2021–22 academic year, 22 Division I and II schools sponsored equestrian as a varsity sport. Currently, three conferences — the Big 12 Conference, Southeastern Conference and the Eastern College Athletic Conference — host a conference championship in the sport.

According to NCAA research data, more than 800 student-athletes participated in equestrian in 2021–22 across Divisions I and II.

TRIATHLON

In 2021–22, 35 schools reported sponsoring triathlon. Of the schools that sponsored it in 2021–22, eight are from Division I, 15 from Division II and 12 from Division III. In 2016–17, only nine schools reported sponsoring the sport at the varsity level, which was added to the emerging sports program in 2014. More than 250 student-athletes competed in triathlon at NCAA schools in 2021–22, with roster sizes of six to nine.

WOMEN’S WRESTLING

Women’s wrestling has rapidly grown since becoming an emerging sport in 2020–21, when 30 schools reported sponsoring it. In 2021–22, 39 schools sponsored women’s wrestling, with more than 550 student-athletes competing among them. Of the schools reporting women’s wrestling in 2021–22, 22 were from Division III, 15 from Division II and two from Division I.

The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin became the first Division III conference to host a women’s wrestling championship in January.

STEPH CURRY STRENGTHENS UNDER ARMOUR PARTNERSHIP

Golden State Warriors point guard and four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry is strengthening his partnership with Under Armour as Curry will become president of the Curry Brand. This will enhance Curry’s ability to drive athlete insights, product development and strategic business and marketing endeavors in a partnership that started in 2013.

“Stephen is one of the greatest talents of our generation,” said Kevin Plank, Executive Chair and Brand Chief, Under Armour. “He is an integral part of the Under Armour family, and we are excited and inspired by this next stage in our partnership. At his core, Stephen embodies what it means to be an Under Armour athlete, and we feel fortunate to take the next step with him in continuing to empower those who strive for more, together.”

Plank was a 2017 inductee into NSGA’s Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame.

FANATICS BECOMES NHL ON-ICE UNIFORM IN 2024-25

Fanatics will become the official on-ice uniform outfitter of the National Hockey League (NHL) through a 10-year agreement that starts with the 2024-25 season. It will be the first time the Fanatics logo appears on game uniforms in professional sports, although the company has made Major League Baseball game

uniforms with the Nike logo since 2017. Fanatics has made the NHL Authentic Pro line of official performance and training apparel and headwear worn by players, coaches and staff since 2018.

Adidas has been the NHL’s official on-ice uniform since the 2017-18 season. Each NHL game jersey is made in a factory in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, outside of Montreal, and Fanatics will initially continue to use the same factory, same specs for players and some of the same fabrics, according to a story on NHL.com.

CSGA NAMES NEW PRESIDENT

The Canadian Sporting Goods Association (CSGA) appointed Bryan Loucks as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Loucks is a proven executive with impressive association management experience and he joins CSGA as the association has completed its operational platform improvement and is set to bring an increased value to the membership.

“I could not be more grateful and excited to accept the position of President and CEO of the CSGA,” Loucks said. “The impact on sporting goods and retail has been significant during the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s an important time for the sporting goods industry to focus on our community. I look forward to working with our Board of Directors, our corporate partners and most of all our members to maintain, create and grow the sporting goods industry.”

Loucks replaces Jon Irwin as CSGA President & CEO. Irwin took over that role in July 2021 after Julian Savory retired.

EASTON DIAMOND SPORTS EXTENDS LITTLE LEAGUE PARTNERSHIP

Little League and Easton Diamond Sports extended their official partnership through 2028. The extended agreement now incorporates Rawlings as the Official Glove of the Little League World Series starting 2023. Rawlings and Easton merged in January 2021.

“In our ever-changing industry, one thing has remained constant and that is our long-standing, valuable partnership with Little League,” said Mike Thompson, Rawlings Chief Marketing Officer. “Little League is committed to growing amateur baseball and softball and celebrates athletes by telling their stories on a regional and national stage. We look forward to being included in their unique journeys for many more years to come.”

FOOT LOCKER CLOSING STORES

Foot Locker plans to close nearly 400 mall-based stores by 2026, according to a report by Retail Dive. Nearly 125 Champs stores will close in that period but other brands will expand. Foot Locker CEO Mary Dillon said the company is “revitalizing” its relationship with Nike and the results will begin to show during the 2023 holiday season. Their focus will include the basketball culture and kids business.

NORTH CAROLINA LAWMAKERS PROPOSE PARTICIPATION TROPHY BAN

Three North Carolina senators are the primary sponsors of a bill that would prohibit awards for kids “based solely on their participation in the sport or other activity.” Awards could be given for identified performance achievements. The bill would apply to any youth sports or youth recreation activities operated under the authority of a local government.

What are some of your new and innovative products the industry should know about?

We have focused on several new products this year. First, we will be stocking 18-inch Major League Baseball pro bases to meet the new sizes for professional baseball. We have expanded our turf product line to include our new ‘finisher mat’ that is made of high-density rubber instead of steel. Our new puddle pillows for sports fields help quickly soak up standing water puddles in low-lying areas of the fields. One of our

Silver SUPPORTER

Trigon Sports is a family owned and operated business with more than 60 years of combined experience in the sporting goods industry and it provides high-quality sports equipment for high school, collegiate and professional programs. Trigon’s goal was not to change the sporting goods industry but to make it better and its reputation for providing quality sports equipment is exceeded only by its reputation for great customer service. Trigon’s trademarked brand of sports equipment, ProCage™ and Practice Partner™, led to an expanded product line from baseball and softball, to football, lacrosse, soccer and more. Our business model is simple: Focus on the customer, provide them with high quality sports equipment, and perhaps most important, love what we do.

newest baseball training products is our new Pro 9-hole trainer for pitchers with adjustable height and it gives instant feedback to pitchers with 9 net pockets within the target.

How does working with the dealer/retailer network help enhance your brand?

We have always been primarily wholesale and the dealer/retailer relationship has been vital to our success. We rely on our network of dealers to be the customer-facing aspect of our brand. We understand they represent

multiple brands but we go to great lengths to market our brand through tradeshows, print media, along with the thousands of catalogs we mail, to in turn help the dealer sell our products to schools.

What drives the passion your company and your team members have for sports and the sporting goods industry?

Our entire staff are sports-minded people, from playing and coaching at all levels to just being a general fan of the game. You can hear that passion when we are on the phone or in-person at trade shows. Our internal culture within our office is fun and upbeat and that also drives our love of what we do. We love being at the forefront of creating products that affect new ways of training or might possibly have an impact on future athletes.

What are you looking forward to at this year’s Management Conference? Why is it important to attend?

This will actually be our very first Management Conference. We are very excited to network with the very people that we have had business relationships with for over 15 years with this company and nearly 23 years of being in the industry for some of us. The chance to have a more casual environment outside of the trade show grind to be in front of our customers is a fantastic opportunity to talk more about our company on a more personal level and create more brand awareness.

What are some of your new and innovative products the industry should know about?

Baseball is the heart and soul of the Richardson brand. We’re constantly innovating when it comes to how we deliver authentic, premium gear players and coaches are proud to wear. Richardson’s commitment to quality and fit is unmatched, whether it’s our Performance Team Series collection of iconic, game-ready baseball caps or our ultra-customizable PTS uniforms and teamwear.

Silver SUPPORTER

Richardson has been a family owned and operated company since 1970 with its headquarters in Springfield, Oregon and distribution centers in Ohio and Texas. Baseball was always a strong focus for the company but the explosion of the cap market in the early 1990s led to expansion in the licensed, collegiate and corporate headwear business. Richardson produces a full line of headwear options for customers world-wide with a large selection of high-quality styles and colors ready for immediate delivery. Richardson is also a leader in the custom cap market for youth and college baseball teams, retail brands, corporate businesses and more.

How does working with the dealer/retailer network help enhance your brand?

Our dealer and retailer network is the foundation of our business. They help us reach a wider audience, improve our customer experience, showcase and promote our products, build stronger relationships and enhance our brand’s credibility and reputation. Many of our dealer and retail partners have been with us since the early days of this business and we wouldn’t be where we are today without their continued partnership.

What drives the passion your company and your team members have for sports and the sporting goods industry?

Richardson has been a sporting goods company since Day One. Our brand was built around sports and sports have always been our core focus regardless of how the business has grown. Our team is made up of athletes, fans, and sporting goods industry pros who collectively value competition, fair play, teamwork and positivity. Together, we work hard every day to deliver quality products and services to the customers, athletes and adventurers we serve.

What are you looking forward to at this year’s Management Conference? Why is it important to attend?

The personal connections fostered through connecting with our partners in the industry at this year’s Management Conference is by far the most important reason to attend. Opportunities like these are what build lasting relationships, allowing us to share the latest from Richardson, listen to our partners’ needs and concerns and meet face-to-face. It also presents the added benefit of learning from industry experts and peers and staying up to date on the latest trends and developments.

FEATURING:

• The Richardson commitment to quality and fit.

• Color shade consistency across all Richardson PTS products.

• Simple, all-inclusive pricing on uniforms for both HYPR Twill and Sublimated models.

HEADWEAR | UNIFORMS | TEAMWEAR

PERFORMANCE TEAM SERIES

FEATURING:

• The Richardson commitment to quality and fit.

• Simple, all-inclusive pricing for both HYPR Twill and Sublimated models.

• Color shade consistency across all Richardson PTS products.

HEADWEAR UNIFORMS TEAMWEAR

What are some of your new and innovative products the industry should know about?

In 2022, MaxBP acquired Frost Gear Sports, a manufacturer of cold-weather baseball and softball technology specifically engineered for cold weather performance. With that acquisition, MaxBP has been able to further vertically integrate and provide a deeper assortment of exciting products to its existing customer bases. For retailers operating within cold weather climates, Frost Gear's products are a hot commodity in the baseball and softball markets.

How does working with the dealer/retailer network help enhance your brand?

MaxBP believes that connecting with the right retail and wholesale partners is imperative for the business. Our sellers understand the needs of each market's customers and it helps us to deliver top-notch training technology nationwide. We love working with dealers and retailers!

What drives the passion your company and your team members have for sports and the sporting goods industry?

All of those involved with MaxBP or its affiliated brands have been around sports for a very long time. It's that connection to sports and the desire to help push competition forward that drives us to innovate and help athletes everywhere.

Silver SUPPORTER

The goal of MaxBP and founder Neil McConnell is to share fun drills and cost- and time-effective tools to help baseball and softball players become the best hitters they can be. From a young age, Neil’s favorite activity was using a bat to hit any kind of ball – a wiffle ball, stickball, baseball or softball. Neil is passionate about helping hitters improve to experience that feeling players get when hitting a ball squarely and standing on second base after crushing a ball in the gap, at a loss for what pitch was hit from being in the moment where instinct and reactions take over. MaxBP has pitching machines and special bats, balls, cold-weather batting and throwing gloves and vision-training eyewear and tools to help players become better hitters.

What are you looking forward to at this year’s Management Conference? Why is it important to attend?

The Management Conference is the epicenter of sports and industry. We value our attendance here to meet with like-minded individuals and grow the industry!

GIVE ME 5 WITH STEFAN HAUSBERGER

ZIMMERMANNS SKIS, BOARDS and MORE, Owner Nashua, New Hampshire | National Ski & Snowboard Retailers Association (NSSRA) Board Member

1

GETTING INTO THE SNOW BIZ

I was raised in it. My father (Gert) and uncle (Horst) owned Zimmermanns before me, along with namesake Egon Zimmermann. The store started in 1968. I started working part-time, nights and weekends when I was 13. By high school I was skipping class to work as much as I could. I would work weekends during college and after graduating with a business degree, I worked full-time, then managed the store. Eventually I was doing all the day-to-day, the ordering, and in 1999 I was offered the chance to buy my family out. The rest is history.

2

PLAYING SKI & BOARD BINGO

Like most great ideas I’ve had I can’t take full credit for them. I saw something similar being used in another industry, so I adopted and adapted it to work in snow sports. The idea is more of a raffle, but Ski & Board Bingo sounds better. We have been discussing it for a couple of years but finally tried it this season on a whim and it worked better than expected. We take one-of-a-kind, high-end, unique products or something we have a bunch of, we take the selling price, divide by 20 or 30 “spots” depending on what makes the buy-in more attractive. People can buy a spot, for a chance to win the item. Once the spots are all sold, we pick a winner live on Facebook using an online random number generator to determine the winner. It’s a fun and relatively inexpensive way to maybe get that item you might not ever buy yourself, but wish you had. People bet and gamble on all kinds of things these days, why not try to win a ski or board? You can’t win if you don’t play.

3

SOCIAL SUCCESS

We have someone in-house who handles all of our social media. We use all the big platforms differently, but we try to share the same consistent message across them. As for Instagram specifically, we noticed that as our followers have increased on Instagram, so has the number of unique visits to our website. There are a lot of intangibles that are generated by Instagram and the other platforms that don’t always directly or immediately translate to sales. More than anything, it has kept us relevant and in the minds of skiers and riders alike. Hopefully, when they are in the market to buy, rent or have their gear tuned, we are top of mind for them.

4

BLOG ROLLING

Our in-house social media person, Scott Stevens, does this (website blog) portion of our communications as well. He is an avid outdoors guy who participates in almost everything you can do outside. When he’s out hiking on a trail, or on the hill carving turns, he is always looking for inspiration for his blogs. I wish I could take credit for his work, but I can’t. He is given free reign and I think he does a great job.

5

BENEFITS OF NSSRA MEMBERSHIP

I am just getting involved in NSSRA. I have known about it for years but haven’t really taken advantage of all it has to offer. So far I can say that the people I’ve met and had a chance to talk to have been great and the networking possibilities seem to be a huge benefit - one that I think every retailer could and should take advantage of.

THE OFFICIAL BALL OF

you

Baden builds the tools you need to perform at your best, making sure you have the top quality performance you need to stay in the game.

Since 1979, we've believed that the equipment we make belongs to the athlete. That's why we do things di erently — from our manufacturing process, to the materials we use, to our relationship with the athletes who depend on us, we're dedicated to making a better ball.

Thank You to our Supporters*

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SPEED NETWORKING AND TEAM DEALER SUMMIT

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