Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Announces 2026 Specialty Awards Nominees

Key Takeaways:

• Nominees span four retailer categories and four vendor categories, including Retailer of the Year and Vendor Partner of the Year.
• For the first time, Grassroots will recognize the Top 25 Independent Sales Representatives in specialty outdoor retail.
• Winners will be announced during a ceremony at the Grassroots Connect buying show, June 8–11, 2026, in Reno, Nev.

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance has announced nominees for its 2026 Grassroots Outdoor Specialty Awards, with winners to be revealed at the Grassroots Connect retail buying show June 8–11 in Reno, Nev.

The awards recognize retailers, vendors, and industry leaders for achievements in business, advocacy, community impact, philanthropy, and specialty retail innovation. The ceremony will take place during lunch on Monday, June 8, when more than 290 exhibitors and more than 150 retailers are expected to gather for line showings and business conversations supporting Spring 2027 order writing.

“These awards recognize the people and businesses pushing specialty outdoor retail forward,” Gabe Maier, president of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, said in a statement. “Independent specialty retail succeeds because of strong partnerships, innovation, service, and an unwavering commitment to community. The businesses and individuals recognized through these awards represent the very best of our industry — retailers and vendors who continue to lead with passion, resilience, and purpose while helping shape the future of the outdoor specialty channel.”

GOA Specialty Award Nominees

• Retailer of the Year: Bill Jacksons (Pinellas Park, Fla.); Outdoor Experience-ID (Sandpoint, Idaho); Pack Rat Outdoor Center (Fayetteville, Ark.); Skinny Skis (Jackson, Wyo.); The Trail Head (Missoula, Mont.)
• Community Giveback: Footsloggers Outdoor & Travel Outfitters (N.C.); Tahoe Mountain Sports (Truckee, Calif.); The Trail Head (Missoula, Mont.); Mountain Chalet (Colorado Springs, Colo.); Chopwood Mercantile (Crested Butte, Colo.)
• Retailer Growth Award: Casual Adventures (Arlington, Va.); High Country Outfitters (Atlanta, Ga.); Mountain High Outfitters (multiple locations); River Rock Outfitter (Fredericksburg, Va.); Saratoga Outdoors (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.)
• Retail Wow Award: Bill Jacksons (Pinellas Park, Fla.); Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus (Grand Rapids, Mich.); Great Outdoor Store (Sioux Falls, S.D.); High Country Outfitters (Atlanta, Ga.); Pack Rat Outdoor Center (Fayetteville, Ark.)

GOA Vendor Award Nominees: 

• Vendor Partner of the Year: HydraPak; Patagonia; Rab; Smartwool; Sockwell
• Excellence in Hardgoods & Accessories: EDELRID; HydraPak; LEKI; NEMO Equipment; Nomadix
• Excellence in Apparel and Softgoods: Helly Hansen; Patagonia; Rab; Roark; Smartwool
• Excellence in Footwear: Altra; La Sportiva; Oboz; Salewa; Superfeet

New for 2026, the organization will also recognize the Top 25 Independent Sales Representatives in specialty outdoor retail. Honorees were selected through nominations and feedback from retailers and vendor partners.

“The specialty outdoor industry is built on relationships, and independent reps are often the connective tissue that keeps this community strong,” Maier said in a statement. “These individuals work behind the scenes every day to support retailers, represent brands with integrity, and help create meaningful long-term partnerships.”

Additional honors to be presented at the ceremony include Appreciation for Board Service and Friend of Grassroots.

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a retailer-owned network of more than 100 independently owned outdoor retailers and vendor partners.