CEO NOW

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NSGA OFFICERS

NSGA OFFICERS Chairman of the Board Pat Donnelley Chairman of the Board Donnelley Sports, Twin Falls, ID David Labbe Kittery Trading Post, Kittery, ME Treasurer/Chairman-Elect Treasurer/Chairman-Elect Cathy Pryor Greg Miller Universal Athletic, Bozeman, MT Hibbett Sports, Birmingham, Past Chairman AL Past Chairman David Labbe Randy Nill Kittery Trading Post, Kittery, ME Nill Bros. Sporting Goods, Kansas City, KS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kevin Bezanson Kevin Bezanson Cleve's Source for Sports, Cleve's Source for Sports, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Halifax, Nova Scotia, Rhett Johnson Canada Pat Donnelley Johnson-Lambe Co., Raleigh, NC Donnelley Sports, Twin Falls, ID Rhett Johnson David Lynn Dunham’s Sports, Troy, MI Johnson-Lambe Co., Raleigh, NC Greg Miller Jeff Miller Scholastic Sports Sales, Ltd., Manlius, NY Universal Athletic, Bozeman, MT Jeff Miller Mick Montgomery Denver Athletic Supply, Englewood, CO Scholastic Ron Rugal Sports Sales, Ltd., Manlius, NY John Oehler B&R Sporting Goods, Shelby Charter Dunham's Sports, Township, MI Troy, Ml Jerry Williams Jerry Williams Schuylkill Valley Sports, Pottstown, PA Schuylkill Valley Sports, Pottstown, PA NSGA TEAM LEADERS NSGA TEAM LEADERS Matt Carlson President & CEO Matt Carlson President & CEO Marty Maciaszek Marty Maciaszek Team Dealer Division, Director, Team Dealer Division Communications and HDA and HDA Julie Pitts Julie Pitts Director, Business Development Director, Public Affairs and and Research Larry Weindruch President, NSSRA Director, Public Nick Rigitano Affairs Dan Wiersma Director, Insights and Analysis Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Shaffer Comptroller

It is not a NSGA was among the many who viewed secret that many independently owned sporting goods the phrase “2020 Vision“ as a perfect way retailers and dealers have been under siege over the last to look at the beginning of a new year and several years. Consumers new decade. turn to the internet, thinking it's a better option No one could have envisioned where we are as we reach the halfway point of 2020. It is also difficult for many of us to see exactly for their purchases. The labor market is increasingly tight. Manufacturers try to go directly to the consumer and narrow their distribution of products. Those are a where we are headed for the rest of this year few of the biggest challenges independent retailers and dealers face. The effects are and beyond. evident throughout the industry as struggling

The COVID-19 pandemic altered all of our lives in March. Then, on Memorial Day, we businesses consolidate or close their doors entirely. Our colleagues at NSGA's benchmark associations, the American Booksellers Association and the North American Retail Hardware Association, echo those concerns, but none of us is throwing in the towel! saw the disturbing images of George Floyd’s

We always search for ways to help death during an arrest by a police officer who our core members in their ongoing battle to succeed. is now charged with murder. How will this moment change our lives long after COVID-19 has passed? Our new 'Verified Independent Dealer Program" hits the bullseye. The idea for the program was sparked by a group of NSGA-member team dealers who wanted to emphasize how their experience, knowledge and service differentiates them from Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shared his perspective in the May their competition. 30 edition of the Los Angeles Times. Getting the public to understand the importance of working with a quality independent “Racism in America is like dust in the air,” he wrote. “It seems invisible — even dealer is one of the critical components to the NSGA Verified Independent Dealer if you’re choking on it — until you let the sun in. Then you see it’s everywhere. Program. NSGA will assist Verified Dealers by sharing and explaining what it means to be As long as we keep shining that light, we have a chance of cleaning it wherever part of this program with their current and potential customers. it lands. But we have to stay vigilant, because it’s always sti The details about the criteria for the MVP and All-Star ll in the air.” Kareem prefaced his comments by saying “protests are often used as an categories of the NSGA Verified Independent Dealer Program, excuse for some to take advantage” and “I don’t want to see stores looted or buildings even burn.” Unfortunately, this happened to some of our members and others in the sporting goods industry. It was a shame to see some use Floyd’s death as an opportunity for personal gain. along with applications and other important information, can be found at www.nsga.org/verified. You can also read more about it on page 22 of this edition of NSGA NOW. We encourage team dealers, full-line retailers and specialty retailers involved in hockey, skiing, running and other sports to apply. But it is clear NSGA and the industry must do more to condemn the racial injustices that have gone on for far too long in this country. We have to take this opportunity to work to enact real changes. Especially since sports Another benefit of the NSGA Verified Independent Dealer Program will be programming for the group at the 55 th Annual Management Conference & 21 st Annual Team Dealer Summit. This will be an excellent opportunity for verified dealers to get together and is regarded as a place where everyone is welcome, where opportunity is share ideas and concerns with their peers. unlimited, and where merit is rewarded. The NSGA staff has been examining and discussing ways for your association The Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit held May 19-21 in Braselton, Georgia, is right around the corner. Some of the best aspects of the sporting goods to help make change happen. Some of these changes include finding ways industry's premier event are illustrated on page 11 of this issue. Register now by for women and minorities to enter the industry, developing the pathways completing the form in the magazine, or, online at www.nsga.org/events. to leadership roles and working to make sure everyone has the chance to experience the physical, mental and social benefits of sports participation. We hope everyone had a happy holiday season with family and friends and that you closed out 2018 on a high note. Don't forget that NSGA is here to support you in making We will have more to share with you in the coming months and we 2019 even better! Fight the good fightl welcome your input and suggestions. This vision is clear for all of us in 2020 and beyond. We can no longer just turn a blind eye to racial Best regards, injustice in this country. Matt Carlson I President & CEO

Best regards, NSGA attends ASTM meetings and receives standards updates that impact Matt Carlson | President & CEO NSGANOW® (ISSN1045-2087) is published bi-monthly Association, 1601 Feehanville Dr., Suite300, MountPro for members of the National spect, IL 60056-6035; Phone: Sporting Goods (847) 296-NSGA (6742); sporting goods equipment. Fax: (847) 391-9827. Subscription price of$50per year is includedin membershipfee. Non-member subscription information available frompublisher. Periodical postage paid at Mount Prospect, IL 60056 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NSGA NOW,® 1601 Feehanville Dr., Suite 300,Mount Prospect, IL 60056-6035. © by NSGA 2019. Printed in theUSA. NSGA NOW (ISSN 1045-2087) is published bi-monthly for members of the National Sporting Goods Association, 3041 Woodcreek Drive, Suite 210, Downers Grove, IL 60515. Phone: (847) 296-NSGA (6742); Fax: (847) 391-9827. Subscription price of $50 per year is included in membership fee. Non-member subscription information available from publisher. Periodical postage paid at Downers Grove, IL 60515 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NSGA NOW,® 3041 Woodcreek Drive, Suite 210, Downers Grove, IL 60515. © NSGA 2020 all rights reserved. Printed in the USA.