Outdoor Retailer Announces Expanded Education and Business Forum Featuring Leaders from Circana, Cotopaxi, Google, Keen, and Shopify
Sessions Explore AI Best Practices, Retail Innovation, Sustainability, and Evolving Consumer Trends
SALT LAKE CITY (May 7, 2025) — Outdoor Retailer, the leading U.S. business event for the outdoor industry, today announced an expanded lineup of education sessions for the upcoming show June 18-20 2025, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. This year’s program includes voices from Circana, Cotopaxi, Google, Keen, and Shopify, among others sharing insights on emerging technologies, sustainability strategies, and shifting consumer behavior. All sessions will be hosted in The Camp, sponsored by Shopify, the show’s central hub for education and conversation, located directly on the show floor.
“This summer’s education program is focused on real-world insights and action-ready ideas,” said Sean Smith, show director. “From commerce and consumer trends to AI, legal risk, and sustainability, these sessions empower our community with tools they need to adapt and lead in today’s rapidly changing landscape of increasing customer demands, a very dynamic retail marketplace and a confusing global economy.”
Spanning two days, the programming brings together outdoor industry executives, brand leaders, technologists, and visionaries for in-depth discussions on the topics shaping the future of outdoor retail. Specifically, two keynotes include presentations from: Circana’s Executive Director Julia Day who will present the latest data on retailer and consumer purchasing trends; Sonny Stroeer, who owns Dreamland Safari and is an accomplished mountaineer, will kick off day two imparting lessons from her shift from high finance to record-setting adventure pursuits, capturing the growing desire for purpose, grit, and reinvention.
Other speakers include Google’s Joe Bush, head of vendor operations, will share insights on AI-powered customer experiences for the modern outdoor brand. Stephan Jacob, founder and chief global officer from Cotopaxi, will talk about how the leading outdoor apparel brand stays ahead of commerce technology trends, leveraging Shopify and NetSuite to power their unified commerce strategy.
Industry Day, sponsored by lightspeed, is a half-day event taking place on Tuesday, June 17. This new networking event will foster discussions on timely challenges and opportunities. Confirmed speakers include: Lindsay Shumlas, CEO at Cotopaxi; Joleen Ong, senior director of brand and retailer membership at Cascale; Peter Labore, CEO, Christy Sports; Stephen Gendron, CEO and co-founder at ENDVR; Joe Bush, global head of business development at Google; Mike Massey, CEO of Locally; Roger Hurni, consumer behavior author and founder at Off Madison Ave; Laura Schaffer, vice president of integrated marketing, brand amplification and impact at Orvis; Jenni Staudacher, vice president of supply chain at Salomon; Evin Catlett, global vice president, ecommerce + growth at Skullcandy, and Holly Fussell, owner at Water Stone Outdoors.
Education Details can be found here:
June 18 – Education at The Camp, sponsored by Shopify:
9:30 – 10:20 AM – KEYNOTE: Retail and Consumer Trends in the Outdoor Marketplace
Speaker: Julia Day, Executive Director, Circana
10:30 – 11:20 AM – Brand & Retailer Partnership Success in 2025
Speaker: Steve Gendron, Co-Founder & CEO, ENDVR
Winning the Store Floor: How Outdoor Brands and Retailers are Partnering for Success in 2025
11:30 AM – 12:20 PM – Small Brands & Specialty Retail: The Inside Scoop
Moderator: Lloyd Vogel, Co-Founder & CEO, Garage Grown Gear – additional speakers to be announced.
12:30 – 1:20 PM – SHOPIFY LUNCH & LEARN: How Cotopaxi Stays Ahead of Commerce Trends with Shopify & NetSuite
Speakers: Alya Bhimji (Shopify), Chris Benner (NetSuite), Stephan Jacob (Cotopaxi)
1:30 – 2:20 PM – Level Up Your Summit: AI-Powered Customer Experiences for the Modern Outdoor Brand
Speaker: Joe Bush, Global Head of Vendor Operations, Marketing & Business Development, Google
2:30 – 3:20 PM – Stronger Partnerships, Stronger Retail
Speaker: Stephen Baird, CEO, Trackfly
3:30 – 4:20 PM – How to Leverage Data Digital Marketing in an Increasingly Risky Legal Landscape
Panel: Ballard Spahr LLP
June 19 – Education at The Camp, sponsored by Shopify:
9:30 – 10:20 AM – KEYNOTE: Stories That Move Mountains – Adventure, Advocacy, and Resilience in a Changing Outdoor Industry
Speaker: Sonny Stroeer, business leader, record-setting mountain athlete, and gender equity advocate
10:30 – 11:20 AM – From Factory Floor to Final Product: Compliance & Sustainability in Outdoor Manufacturing
Speaker: Avedis Seferian, President & CEO, WRAP
11:30 AM – 12:20 PM – Tapping into China’s Outdoor Market with Tmall Global
Speaker: Nicole Lin, Head of Fashion Business Development, Tmall Global (Alibaba Group)
12:30 – 1:20 PM- SHOPIFY LUNCH & LEARN: How KEEN Expanded into 7 New Markets and Cut Tech Costs by 80%
Speakers: Sam Buckingham, Director of Digital Product, KEEN, Victoria DiRaimo, Senior Merchant Success Manager, Shopify, René Rinfret, Enterprise Merchant Success Manager, Loop
1:30 – 2:20 PM – Hydrogen Gas: The Next Frontier in Health & Wellness for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Speaker: Dr. Paul Baratierro, Founder, Echo Water
2:30 – 3:20 PM – Redefining Speed, Sustainability, and Profitability: The Future of Apparel Supply Chains
Speakers: Brad Ballentine (MAS ACME), James Theuerkauf (Syrup Tech), Scott Walton (Kornit Digital)
3:30 – 4:20 PM – Blazing the Retail Media Trail – How Outdoor Brands Can Thrive on Marketplaces
Speaker: Shaun Brown, Founder & CEO, BirdDog
For more information, visit outdoorretailer.com and follow Outdoor Retailer on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
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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.
About Emerald
Emerald’s talented and experienced team grows our customers’ businesses 365 days a year through connections, content, and commerce. We expand connections that drive new business opportunities, product discovery, and relationships with over 140 annual events, matchmaking, and lead-gen services. We create content to ensure that our customers are on the cutting edge of their industries and are continually developing their skills. And we power commerce through efficient year-round buying and selling. We do all this by seamlessly integrating in-person and digital platforms and channels. Emerald is immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. As true partners, we create experiences that inspire, amaze, and deliver breakthrough results. For more information, please visit www.emeraldx.com