Outdoor Retailer Debuts “Retail Playbook Lab” Aug. 19 8AM to 1PM with Keynote Address from Industry Veteran Eoin Comerford

Interactive workshops on emerging technologies, including AI, digital media, e-commerce trends, circular resale programs and elevating operational best practices provide hands on expertise

MINNEAPOLIS (December 11, 2025) – Outdoor Retailer, the national gathering of the North American outdoor community, today announced the debut of the “Retailer Playbook Lab”, Wednesday, August 19, 2026, from 8AM to 1PM at the Minneapolis Convention Center as part of the reimagined Outdoor Retailer show in Minneapolis. Designed exclusively for outdoor specialty retail owners, buyers, and managers, the half-day program delivers a highly practical curriculum for strengthening operations, modernizing customer engagement, and equipping retailers with the tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving marketplace. There is no cost for retailers to attend, if registered prior to arrival at the conference. Retailers looking for travel assistance through Outdoor Retailer’s Hosted Buyer Program should sign up through the Outdoor Retailer Hosted Buyer Program on the website.

The morning will have retailers choose from 9 sessions across four tracks, capped at 20–25 participants ensuring deep peer-to-peer participation and tactical takeaways. The conference concludes with a lunch keynote from Eoin Comerford, founder of Outside Consulting and former CEO of Moosejaw, before heading into the Industry Day afternoon programming.

“Outdoor Retailer’s renewed emphasis on new brand discovery is a key step for the industry,” said Comerford. “The next wave of growth will come from founders who see the opportunities others overlook. When retailers build systems to champion these brands, they position themselves as leaders while accelerating innovation across the outdoor industry. My keynote will explore how early identification, strategic support, and partnership models can strengthen the entire ecosystem and prepare us for what’s ahead.”

The Retailer Playbook Lab reinforces Outdoor Retailer’s focus on strengthening the specialty retail ecosystem at a time when the landscape is shifting faster than ever. With new technologies reshaping operations, evolving consumer expectations redefining the path to purchase, and tariffs and economic pressures challenging margins, retailers are navigating unprecedented complexity.

“Retailers are asking for real tools, real training, and real solutions,” said Lindsay Hubley, senior vice president of Emerald’s Sports and Outdoor Division, parent company of Outdoor Retailer. “This conference delivers exactly that, practical skills, hands-on learning, and direct access to expertise supporting every part of the retail business.”

PROGRAM

Wednesday, August 19, 2026
 Retail Owners, Buyers & Managers Only

Track 1: The People & Culture Playbook

• Workshop: The Living Wage Model: A finance-first clinic on P&L strategies and benefit models (the “Starbucks” approach) to support a $15-$25/hour career-focused retail team.
• Workshop: The Modern Manager: Tactical best practices for hiring, training, and retaining top talent in a competitive market.

Track 2: The Resilient Operations Playbook

• Workshop: The Small Business Shield: A focused session on the essentials of risk management and the specific insurance coverage outdoor retailers can’t afford to skip.
• Workshop: The Digital Fortress: A non-technical guide to cybersecurity essentials, protecting your customer data, preventing e-commerce fraud, and securing your POS system.

Track 3: The Customer Growth Playbook

• Workshop: The Inclusive Storefront: Tactical guide to merchandising, marketing, and staffing to win the women’s market and authentically serve a more diverse customer base.
• Workshop: The Social Media Flywheel & E-Commerce: A practical, low-cost guide to developing a social media program that builds community, measurably drives sales, and integrates with your shop’s website.
• Workshop: The Event Engine: How to plan and execute in-store events (film nights, clinics, clubs) and leverage local partnerships to create a loyal community hub.

Track 4: The Future-Proofing Playbook

• Workshop: The AI Co-Pilot (Hands-On): Bring your laptop. A live demo of 3-5 affordable AI tools to automate marketing copy, manage inventory, and save 10 hours a week.
• Workshop: The Circularity Starter Kit: A “how-to” guide for launching a profitable resale, rental, or repair program in your store. We’ll cover tech partners, intake models, and pricing.

Lunch Keynote – Eoin Comerford

12:15 PM – 1:00 PM

Topic – The Importance of New Brand Discovery

Attendees will gain valuable insights during the 45-minute, in-person keynote session, “The Importance of New Brand Discovery.” The presentation highlights why emerging brands are essential to the growth and evolution of outdoor retailers, providing guidance on how to effectively collaborate with new companies entering the market. In addition, it explores best practices for merchandising and storytelling that help new brands resonate with consumers, while outlining the key elements these brands must bring to the table to succeed in today’s competitive outdoor landscape.

About Outdoor Retailer
Outdoor Retailer, the leading U.S. business events for the outdoor and winter sports industry, brings together retailers, manufacturers, designers, distributors, industry advocates, journalists, and more to conduct the business of outdoor recreation through commerce, unique product experiences, dedicated media events, content, and web-based business solutions. Outdoor Retailer provides critical platforms for face-to-face commerce, product launches, networking, and focused industry education to enhance business and support the outdoor recreation economy. Visit outdoorretailer.com for more information.

Media Contact:  Chris Goddard, CGPR, [email protected] (781) 640-8387 or [email protected]