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Grassroots Cancels June 2021 Connect Buying Show

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Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, the specialty outdoor retail trade group, announced the cancellation of its spring Connect buying show, originally scheduled for June 7-10, 2021.

Previously, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance cancelled its June 2020 and November 2020 Connect shows.

The decision to cancel the June 2021 Connect show was based on numerous business factors which remain impacted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, including but not limited to safety considerations as well as attendees ability and appetite for national travel. Grassroots expects its fall Connect show to take place as planned in Kansas City (Nov. 8-11, 2021), according to Rich Hill, president of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance.

Grassroots organizers are encouraging member retailers and exhibitors to consider participation at nearby local or regional sales events through the spring and summer, such as 360 Adventure Collective (www.360adventurecollective.org) or the Western Winter Sports Rep Association (wwsra.com).

“In a year with an unprecedented spike in virtual tools, Zoom calls, and other digital Band-Aids, we’re recognizing — more than ever — the importance of personal engagement to our retailers, our vendors and the rest of the specialty outdoor community. Depending on where you are in the country, a regional sales event has the ability to not require air travel or even a hotel stay, and can more quickly and accurately respond to local realities,” said Hill.

In the absence of the Connect show this spring, retailers and vendors can also utilize Grassroots’ free assortment of digital support tools, including Grassroots ConnectHub — a shared-resource solution designed to simplify the remote buying process — and NuOrder, an innovative online platform which enables buyers to visualize their assortment by any data point.