Grassroots Connect buying show confirms return to Denver, Nov 1-5, 2019

September 3, 2019

Grassroots Connect, the national buying show of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, will return to Denver this November as well as returning to its “traditional” schedule format.

DENVER, COLORADO –  Grassroots Connect, the national buying show of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, will return to Denver this November as well as returning to its “traditional” schedule format.

Confirmed for Nov. 1-5, 2019, Grassroots Connect will again be held in the familiar setting of the Colorado Convention Center ground floor ballrooms — the same setting as in fall 2018. Grassroots Connect also will restore its “traditional” schedule format of holding member-only education and shareholder meetings at the beginning of the show.

The 2019 Grassroots Connect show will begin with vendor move-in and member-only education seminars (Nov. 1, 2019); continue with four days of pre-booked retailer and vendor meetings (Nov. 2-5, 2019); and conclude with vendor move-out (Nov. 5, 2019).

The new confirmed date and schedule for Grassroots Connect were prompted by the alignment of attendee feedback with new opportunities created by Outdoor Retailer’s cancellation of November show dates.

“We wanted to create as seamless of a transition as possible to the new calendar, make the least amount of changes for everyone involved, and still do our best to improve the experience for retailers and vendors,” said Rich Hill, president of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance. “While we’ve made some minor adjustments, for the vast majority of Grassroots Connect attendees the show will operate and flow as it usually does.”

A variety of common topics and official responses from Grassroots Connect organizers include:

WHO’S COMING?  Everybody. All previously announced retailers and vendors brands are anticipated to attend the show. The show is at capacity, and no cancellations have been received.

WHAT IS THE SHOW SCHEDULE?  Grassroots Connect will begin with vendor move in and member-only education seminars (Friday, Nov 1, 2019); continue with four days of retailer and vendor meetings (Sat-Tues, Nov. 2-5, 2019); and conclude with vendor move out (Wed., Nov. 6, 2019).

WHERE WILL IT BE HELD? Grassroots Connect will be held on the ground floor of the Colorado Convention Center, in the same meeting rooms as used for the fall 2018 show.

WHERE IS THE OFFICIAL HOTEL? Grassroots Connect attendees are encouraged to wait for an official hotel block announcement, and resist the urge to book a room individually. That announcement is anticipated to be finalized this week. The original hotel arrangements were voided after the Outdoor Retailer cancellation, and new negotiations were initiated to achieve the best possible rates for rooms and group meals. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is positive about the process and speedy conclusion as venue partners in Denver have been supportive throughout the process. Please be patient as we work through this final detail, as booking of rooms independently will impact our group arrangements, and will also result in significant decreases to individual travel reimbursements.

WILL APPOINTMENT SCHEDULES BE PROVIDED? As always, Grassroots Connect will provide pre-booked appointments for retailers and vendors. That normal process was delayed slightly as venue and schedule confirmations were an essential first step. Now that the official schedule has been confirmed, appointment services have resumed. To speed this process, retailers should follow the normal procedure of submitting their dates of availability and desired vendor appointments at their earliest convenient opportunity.

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS? For retailer inquiries, please contact Dana Howe, Retailer Relations Manager, dana@grassrootsoutdoors.com.  For vendor inquiries, please contact Gabe Maier, gabe@grassrootsoutdoors.com. For all other show inquiries, please contact Devaki Murch, devaki@grassrootsoutdoors.com.

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ABOUT GRASSROOTS CONNECT: Efficient, affordable and effective for every attendee, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Connect is the only national show designed specifically to improve retail buying results. Scheduled as early as possible in the buying cycle, the growing Grassroots Connect show attracts nearly 1,000 independent specialty retailers, vendor brands, media, and members of the outdoor industry community to each show. Connect provides a highly efficient opportunity for retailers, reps and vendors to present, discuss, plan and collect pre-season orders. Cost-effective and simple, Connect is both an incubator and testing ground for the greater outdoor industry. Invited retailers receive a per attendee reimbursement to offset their travel costs. Future dates for Connect include Denver, Colorado (Nov. 1-5, 2019). For more information on Grassroots Connect, please go to https://connect.grassrootsoutdoors.com

ABOUT GRASSROOTS OUTDOOR ALLIANCE: Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a national association working together for the health and growth of independent specialty outdoor retail. With 130 storefronts across 37 states, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is creating both a vision and roadmap for the long-term success of independent specialty retailers, through data collection and analysis, direct member support, specialty events, and deep vendor partnerships. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is also recognized as a catalyst for the success of its retailers and vendor partners; an advocate for specialty independent retail; a promoter of education and community within the specialty channel; and a key influencer of the national outdoor industry. For more information on Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, please go to www.grassrootsoutdoors.com.

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