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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Marty Maciaszek, Director of Communications
mmaciaszek@nsga.org
(847) 296-6742, ext. 1260
DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS (April 27, 2021) – The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) is excited to announce “The Sporting Goods Rebound,” a virtual program which will look at some important issues impacting the sporting goods industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Sporting Goods Rebound” will be held at 11 a.m. Central Time on Wednesday, May 19 and it will be hosted via Zoom.
“The Sporting Goods Rebound” features experts discussing the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness process, what the future holds for youth and high school sports and supply and inventory issues. Supply and inventory issues will be examined from the perspectives of full-line retailers and team dealers, hockey specialty retailers and ski and snowboard specialty retailers.
“The Sporting Goods Rebound” is occurring during the originally scheduled time of the NSGA Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit, which was moved to September 26-28 in Naples, Florida. The program, a comprehensive series of interviews, will last approximately two hours.
“There are pressing issues that members of our industry are looking to have addressed sooner than later, so this is a perfect time for ‘The Sporting Goods Rebound’” said Matt Carlson, President & CEO of NSGA. “We have a chance to explore some of these key topics in a format that is not time-consuming. It is also a great opportunity for NSGA members and others in the industry who have not attended the Management Conference and Team Dealer Summit to get a taste of what occurs at that event.”
Eve Mayer, the owner of Eve Mayer Media, will host “The Sporting Goods Rebound.” Mayer is a social media expert who spoke twice at the Management Conference and Team Dealer Summit and has offered advice on the topic through NSGA videos and the NSGA NOW magazine.
“The Sporting Goods Rebound” is free but registration, which opens today, is required and limited. To register go to www.nsga.org/rebound. Here is an overview of the specific sessions:
PPP – Don’t Forget About Forgiveness
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has been vital to the survival of many small businesses during COVID. This session looks at how to make the PPP reconciliation process smoother. Sharing their expertise will be Jim Thomas, a Principal with the accounting firm CliftonLarsonAllen, and Pat Donnelley, owner of Donnelley Sports in Twin Falls, Idaho, and NSGA Board Chairman.
What’s Next in Games Kids Play
Youth and high school sports have been impacted in many ways by COVID. Three high school Executive Directors – Dr. Karissa Niehoff of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), Dr. Robert Zayas of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and David Hines of the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) – discuss the challenges schools and young athletes have faced and the ones still ahead in areas such as participation and school budgets.
Supplying the Demand for Team and Retail
What has happened with supply chain and inventory issues resulting from COVID? Are there still trouble spots ahead that team dealers and retailers must consider? Laura St. George, Executive Vice President for GARED North America, and Sean Mannion, Senior Vice President of US Sales for Asics, share their perspective.
Supplying the Demand on the Ice
Hockey specialty retailers will be busy preparing for next season and what they hope is less uncertainty. What is the current inventory situation for players ready to return to the ice? Brad Hause, President of Sports Distributors of Canada (SDC), Bryan McDermott, Business Director of North American Specialty Business for Bauer Hockey, and Mike Vaughn, President and Founder of Vaughn Hockey, discuss the challenges.
Supplying the Demand on the Slopes
What unique challenges do ski and snowboard retailers face? Sharing what is on the horizon are Gordon Geiger, National Ski & Snowboard Retailers Association (NSSRA) Board Chairman and co-owner of Geiger’s, a premier outdoors destination in the Cleveland area, Richard Leffler, President of women’s skiwear manufacturer NILS, and Greg Grip, President of hardgoods manufacturer MDV (Marker, Dalbello and Volkl).
About the National Sporting Goods Association
Since 1929, the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) has been the leading voice and go-to resource for the sporting goods industry. NSGA helps the industry grow its businesses through research, advocacy and networking. For more information about membership or NSGA’s products and services, please visit nsga.org.