Description

AFFTA Retailer Accelerator

The AFFTA Retailer Accelerator is a two-day event designed to strengthen the relationship between independent fly shops and the manufacturers who serve them.

Built around the needs of today's specialty fly fishing marketplace, the Retailer Accelerator brings together retailers and manufacturers for two days of education, collaboration, and meaningful business conversations that help both sides grow stronger together.

This isn't a trade show, and it isn't another generic retail seminar. Every session is built from direct retailer feedback and designed to create stronger partnerships, better communication, and healthier businesses across the fly fishing industry.

Why Manufacturers Should Attend

Manufacturers invest heavily in developing products, supporting dealers, and growing the specialty fly fishing market. The Retailer Accelerator gives manufacturers something that is increasingly difficult to find—dedicated, uninterrupted time with independent retailers in an environment focused on listening, learning, and building stronger partnerships.

Throughout the event, manufacturers will gain valuable insight into what retailers need to be more successful, hear directly from shop owners about the challenges they face, participate in collaborative discussions that improve dealer support, and engage in structured one-on-one meetings designed to strengthen existing relationships and develop new ones.

Rather than competing for attention on a busy trade show floor, manufacturers become active participants in conversations that ultimately help retailers sell more products, build healthier businesses, and create long-term brand loyalty.

Day One: Understanding Today's Retail Landscape

Day One begins with an exclusive State of the Fly Fishing Industry presentation from TrackFly, providing attendees with current market data, consumer trends, and business insights to help retailers and manufacturers better understand where the industry is headed.

AFFTA's government affairs partner, High Street Strategies, will provide a timely update on the political and regulatory landscape, covering public lands, fisheries management, tariffs, trade policy, conservation priorities, and other issues shaping the future of the fly fishing industry.

The afternoon features three interactive sessions led by nationally recognized retail consultant Chris Frangiosa, centered around one simple idea:

Retailers are the customer of the manufacturer.

Using direct retailer survey feedback, Chris will facilitate discussions focused on improving communication, dealer support, merchandising, education, inventory planning, and partnership strategies that benefit both retailers and manufacturers.

Throughout the day, retailers and manufacturers will participate in facilitated networking, collaborative problem solving, and peer discussions designed to create stronger business relationships built on trust, communication, and mutual success.

The day also includes a presentation from Curtis Fry of Fly Fish Food, demonstrating practical ways artificial intelligence can improve marketing, customer engagement, operational efficiency, and business growth.

Day Two: Turning Conversations into Partnerships

Day Two is designed to transform ideas into action.

Retailers will participate in sessions on employee management, sales floor coaching, and creating operational systems that improve profitability and long-term business performance.

At the heart of the day are AFFTA-facilitated one-on-one meetings between retailers and participating manufacturers.

These scheduled meetings give manufacturers uninterrupted time to meet directly with independent retailers to discuss:

• Product strategy
• Inventory planning
• Seasonal buying
• Merchandising opportunities
• Marketing support
• Staff education and product training
• Regional opportunities
• Building stronger long-term partnerships

These conversations are designed to move beyond transactional sales discussions and create collaborative business relationships that continue well after the event.

At the same time, retailers will receive private consulting sessions with Chris Frangiosa, allowing each shop to receive personalized guidance on inventory, cash flow, merchandising, staffing, marketing, and long-term business planning.

By the end of the event, manufacturers will leave with a deeper understanding of retailer needs and stronger relationships with key customers, while retailers will leave with practical strategies, personalized coaching, and valuable new business partnerships.

You'll Leave With

Retailers

• Practical strategies to improve profitability and operations
• One-on-one business coaching from Chris Frangiosa
• Stronger relationships with manufacturing partners
• Peer-to-peer networking and collaboration with fellow retailers
• A better understanding of the economic, political, and market forces shaping the industry

Manufacturers

• Direct feedback from independent retailers
• Dedicated one-on-one meetings with current and prospective dealer partners
• Better insight into retailer challenges and opportunities
• Stronger relationships that lead to improved dealer success and long-term brand growth
• A clearer understanding of the market trends and policy issues shaping the fly fishing industry