Outdoor Retailer announced it will debut the Retailer Playbook Lab on August 19, 2026, offering specialty retail owners, buyers, and managers a new half-day education program focused on operational performance, customer engagement, and emerging technologies.
The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Minneapolis Convention Center as part of the reimagined Outdoor Retailer show.
The program is designed to provide a practical curriculum aimed at helping retailers strengthen business operations and adapt to a rapidly evolving marketplace. Attendance is free for retailers who register before arriving at the conference.
According to the announcement, attendees can also apply for travel support through Outdoor Retailer’s Hosted Buyer Program. Registration information for this assistance is available through the event website.
The Retailer Playbook Lab will offer a selection of nine sessions across four educational tracks. Each workshop will be capped at 20 to 25 participants to encourage deeper peer-to-peer interaction and deliver tactical takeaways.
The half-day format will conclude with a lunch keynote from Eoin Comerford, founder of Outside Consulting and former chief executive officer of Moosejaw. His presentation will lead into the broader Industry Day programming scheduled for the afternoon.
Comerford said the industry’s focus on new brand discovery represents a significant opportunity for retailers. “The next wave of growth will come from founders who see the opportunities others overlook,” Comerford said in a press release.
He added that retailers play a central role in supporting these emerging brands. “When retailers build systems to champion these brands, they position themselves as leaders while accelerating innovation across the outdoor industry,” he said.
Comerford noted that his keynote will address strategies for identifying and partnering with up-and-coming companies. He said the session will highlight models that strengthen the broader retail ecosystem and prepare businesses for future market shifts.
Lindsay Hubley, senior vice president of Emerald’s Sports and Outdoor Division, also said retailers are seeking practical guidance.
The four-track agenda includes sessions on people and culture, operations resiliency, customer growth, and future-proofing strategies. Workshops will cover topics such as wage models, hiring practices, risk management, cybersecurity, inclusive merchandising, social media strategy, event planning, AI tools, and circular resale programs.
Outdoor Retailer stated that attendees of the 45-minute keynote will learn about the importance of new brand discovery and best practices for merchandising, storytelling, and collaboration with emerging companies entering the market.