Real Training for the Real Work of Running a Store.
You didn’t open a specialty outdoor shop because it was easy. You opened it because you know this stuff—because your customers trust you to know what’s worth carrying, what holds up, and what’s next.
But the business around your shop is shifting fast. Tariffs. Tighter margins. New competitors. Staffing that doesn’t stick. A digital presence you haven’t had time to build properly. You’re running a great store and a small business at the same time, and there are only so many hours.
The Retailer Playbook Lab is built for that reality. Half a day. Nine hands-on workshops. A keynote from one of the most respected operators in the outdoor industry. Free to attend—if you register before you arrive.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Minneapolis Convention Center
Sessions are capped at 20 to 25 participants. Bring your questions. These are working sessions, not lectures.
*Open to registered retail buyers only. A show badge is required for entry to the conference sessions and keynote.
Wednesday, August 19
8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Four Tracks. Nine Sessions. One Morning.
Choose the workshops that match where your business is right now.
Every session is designed to give you something you can use next week.
Track 1: The People & Culture Playbook
Running a career-worth-keeping retail job is harder than it used to be—and more important. These two sessions give you a financial and tactical framework for building a team that stays.
The Modern Manager | 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM | Room #201A
Tactical best practices for hiring, training and retaining top talent in a competitive market.
Led by Kit Canpoy, WOC Retail Alliance
The Living Wage Model | 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM | Room #201A
A finance-first clinic on P&L strategies and benefit structures for supporting a $15–$25/hour career-focused retail team. This is the math behind making it work, not just the intention.
Led by Mark Sherman
Track 2: The Resilient Operations Playbook
The risks your store faces aren’t theoretical. These sessions focus on the protections and systems that most independent retailers haven’t fully put in place—yet.
The Digital Fortress | 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM | Room #202A
A non-technical guide to cybersecurity for retail—protecting your customer data, preventing e-commerce fraud and securing your POS system. You don’t need to be a tech expert to leave prepared.
Led by Jen Lotze, Principal Consultant & Security Strategist | Host of SipCyber Podcast | National Cybersecurity Speaker
The Small Business Shield | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Room #202A
A focused session on the essentials of risk management and the specific insurance coverage outdoor retailers can’t afford to skip.
Led by Jim Moss, Recreation-Law.com
Track 3: The Customer Growth Playbook
Your customers are changing. So is how they find you and why they come back. These three sessions give you a concrete plan for growth across the areas that move the needle most.
The Inclusive Storefront | 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM | Room #201B
A tactical guide to merchandising, marketing and staffing to win the women’s market and authentically serve a more diverse customer base.
Led by Ken Bernard
The Social Media Flywheel & E-Commerce | 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM | Room #201B
A practical, low-cost guide to building a social media program that creates community, measurably drives sales and works alongside your shop’s website. No agency required.
Led by Benje Williams
The Event Engine | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Room #201B
How to plan and run in-store events—film nights, clinics, clubs—and use local partnerships to turn your store into a community hub.
Led by Mandela Echefu, Co-Founder, Wheelzup Adventure
Track 4: The Future-Proofing Playbook
The tools exist. You just haven’t had a chance to learn them. These two sessions close that gap.
Setting Up Re-Commerce | 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM | Room #202B
Bring your laptop. A live demo of 3-5 affordable AI tools to automate marketing copy, manage inventory, and save 10 hours a week.
Led by Natasha Franck
The AI Co-Pilot (Hands-On) | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Room #202B
Bring your laptop. A live demo of three to five affordable AI tools you can use to automate marketing copy, manage inventory and save up to 10 hours a week. This is practical, not theoretical.
Led by Darryl Hunter
Lunch Keynote: Eoin Comerford
12:15 PM – 1:00 PM
“The Importance of New Brand Discovery”
Eoin Comerford is the founder of Outside Consulting and former CEO of Moosejaw. He’s spent decades at the intersection of specialty retail, emerging brands and growth—and he brings that experience directly to this keynote.