Shop Eat Surf Outdoor will host a panel discussion “Looking Ahead to 2026: Challenges, Strategies, & Opportunities” on Monday, October 20, featuring five executives from retail, brand, M&A and commercial real estate companies who will share their perspectives on market conditions and growth strategies for 2026.
The 11 a.m. PST/2 p.m. EST webinar will focus on preparing businesses for consumer, technology and market shifts in the coming year. Panelists will discuss how they’re adapting their businesses and share where they’ve identified growth opportunities in these challenging market conditions.
The discussion is aimed at leaders, strategists, and decision-makers in the active outdoor industry
Featured panelists include:
- Shaheen Sadeghi, founder, LAB Holding – Founded LAB Holding in 1991 after serving as president of Quiksilver, developing innovative retail spaces including The LAB Anti-Mall, the Anaheim Packing District, The Camp shopping center, and more. He also owns outdoor lifestyle store Seed People’s market and various other stores, bars, and restaurants.
- Daniel Neukomm, CEO, La Jolla Group – Leads the platform for global consumer lifestyle brands including O’Neill, Mountain Khakis, and Hang Ten, guiding growth through direct-to-consumer initiatives since 2012.
- Cassie Abel, founder and CEO, Wild Rye – Founded the B Corp certified women’s outdoor apparel brand in 2016, achieving recognition on the Forbes Next 1000 list and being named Outdoor Retailer Emerging Leader of the Year in 2023.
- Pete LaBore, CEO, Christy Sports – Oversees the specialty outdoor retailer’s 50 locations across four states, bringing more than 20 years of executive experience from companies including Backcountry and Reformation.
- Nathan Pund, managing director and global head, Houlihan Lokey’s Active Lifestyle Team – Advises on M&A and capital markets transactions in the consumer industry with nearly three decades of experience, having completed more than 50 deals in the outdoor and active lifestyle sectors since 2005.
Join us for what is sure to be a timely and insightful discussion. Our last editorial webinar “Surviving 2025: Brands and Retailers Share Their Strategies” attracted more than 600 attendees.
