Former Freeman SVP has Passion for Archery, 17 Years in Business Development

For more information, contact Teresa Johnson at (860) 904-0497 or teresajohnson@archerytrade.org

NEW ULM, Minnesota – The Archery Trade Association has chosen Matt Kormann of Marietta, Georgia, as its next president/CEO, after a nationwide hunt led by an executive search firm. Kormann will succeed Jay McAninch, who announced in March that 2017 would be his last year as ATA’s president/CEO. Kormann expects to begin his ATA tenure on October 16.

Kormann is currently senior vice president of corporate account sales for the Freeman Co., a $2.4 billion world leader in event marketing. His 17-year career at Freeman helped Kormann learn the best practices of hundreds of businesses, industries and associations while becoming a business leader and passionate team coach. Kormann also learned grassroots politics while serving as a trustee for the Carroll Independent School District in Southlake, Texas, and as a member of its budget and finance committee.

Kormann stood out to the ATA Board of Directors’ CEO search committee for his business acumen and diverse experience, and for his passion for archery. Kormann’s daughter is a compound-bow archer who competes nationally and internationally in 3-D and target archery; and Kormann is a certified archery instructor and judge who traveled over 4,000 miles in recent months to support his daughter in competition.

Kormann’s archery fervor guided his decision to apply for the ATA’s CEO position. “Opportunities like this are exceedingly rare,” Kormann said. “The ATA has an incredible foundation. Expert leadership and a culture of collaboration between members and staff have allowed it to thrive. I’m confident we can bring this great sport to even more bowhunting and tournament participants, while strengthening the industry as a whole. While all of that is exciting for me, this role is really unique. It blends the things I’ve been most passionate about in my professional life with what I’m most passionate about away from work. Our family fell in love with archery almost five years ago. Since then, it’s taken us throughout America and as far away as Argentina. When I learned of Jay’s retirement, I knew I had to take a shot.”

Board members were equally enthusiastic about Kormann after reviewing the qualifications of several outstanding candidates. Kormann’s most distinguished professional experience includes expertise in sales, customer service, business development, strategic planning and event management.

“Matt was the clear finalist to take to the full Board for approval,” said ATA Board Chair Ben Summers, vice president of T.R.U. Ball/AXCEL. “Rather than depending on the information given to candidates during the hiring process, Matt drilled down and talked to several dealers. He knew intricate details about our industry, and had great ideas to fix important problems. It was easy to see that Matt understands business and cares about the people he serves. Most importantly, however, Matt clearly knew archery and bowhunting like a seasoned professional. I believe he will care about our retail and manufacturing businesses like they are his own.”

Kormann said he is excited to combine his work ethic and love of archery to serve the ATA’s membership. “My first responsibility is to listen and learn,” he said. “I’ll be doing just that, beginning Day One. The Board, Jay and our incredible staff have helped build a map that ensures success. It’s focused on time in the field. I’ll be meeting with members, both virtually and in person. I’m eager to hear what’s working, and how we can work together to improve. I’m eager to listen, so that we can design a strategy that will support our members’ goals while continuing to strengthen the ATA.”

ATA Board members are confident in Kormann. “I am very pleased to have Matt joining the ATA,” said Greg Easton, president of Jas. D. Easton Inc., and a member of the ATA Board’s executive committee. “We had a large pool of candidates, and the finalists were all well-qualified, but the search committee was unanimous in our selection and support of Matt. Matt brings some exciting skills, experience and interest in archery to the ATA’s CEO position, and I look forward to working with him.”

Mark Copeland, store director for Jay’s Sporting Goods in Michigan, and a member of the ATA Board’s executive committee, agreed. “Matt brings a level of enthusiasm for archery that was palpable in his interviews,” Copeland said. “His travel this year alone with his daughter’s competitions is a testament to his dedication to our sport. I am very confident in the skillset he brings to our team. I look forward to seeing Matt in action as he guides the ATA into the future, with fresh ideas and outside-the-box thinking.”

McAninch will remain engaged in his current ATA responsibilities to help Kormann transition into the president/CEO role. The “changing of the guard” will help foster strong relationships while building on McAninch’s 17 years of success in the position. The 2018 ATA Trade Show is expected to include a celebration of McAninch’s ATA career, and meetings between Kormann and industry stakeholders.

McAninch plans to spend more time afield bowhunting and bowfishing with his grandchildren, but Summers is confident McAninch will “continue to be a force for good in the conservation community.”

About the Archery Trade Association
The Archery Trade Association is the organization for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, sales representatives and others working in the archery and bowhunting industry. The ATA has served its members since 1953. It is dedicated to making the industry profitable by decreasing business overhead, reducing taxes and government regulation, and increasing participation in archery and bowhunting. The organization also owns and operates the ATA Trade Show, the archery and bowhunting industry’s largest and longest-running trade show worldwide. For more information, like the ATA Trade Show on Facebook, follow @ATATradeShow on Twitter, or learn more about archery and bowhunting at Archery360.com and Bowhunting360.com.

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The additions give industry representatives from all areas more chances to work together to strengthen the industry. The decision – which was made at Hoyt headquarters during the Board’s summer meetings – gives the ATA Board a well-rounded composition. It now consists of three pro shops, two buying groups, one sales representative, two multi-channel retailers, and 12 archery and bowhunting manufacturers and distributors.

Gary Kinard, NABA president, and Deb Colgrove, ARRO’s executive secretary, will represent their organizations on the Board. NABA and ARRO harness the buying power of individual retailers into cooperative membership groups to receive manufacturers’ best wholesale prices. Buying groups also work on concerns specific to managing independent retail businesses.

Jay McAninch, the ATA’s president/CEO, said adding the buying groups to the Board increases and diversifies retailing representation, which began almost 20 years ago when the Board added its first seat for retailers.

“This representation ensures ATA Board discussions are balanced, and consider all aspects of business in our industry,” McAninch said.

Kurt Smith, ATA’s senior manager of retail programs, said the decision shows manufacturers recognize retailing’s important role in serving consumers and ensuring their brands’ success.

Ben Summers, ATA Board chair and director of operations for T.R.U. Ball Release Products, said the additions make sense.

“ATA has partnered with NABA and ARRO for years because they offer their member retailers amazing opportunities by hosting product preview shows in conjunction with the ATA Trade Show,” Summers said. “Our corresponding strengths make each organization and all member partners much stronger. NABA and ARRO have sent representatives to each ATA Board meeting for over a decade. It’s only natural that they be afforded Board seats.”

Kinard said NABA appreciates the opportunity and recognizes the responsibility. “The archery business is changing, and it’s refreshing to see the ATA Board of Directors recognize the need for better representation for the independent retailer,” he said. “Adding NABA to the Board gives our 350-plus dealers a voice about what’s going on in the industry.”

Kinard joined NABA in 2005 and became a board member in 2012. He was elected president in August 2016 and oversees all NABA operations. Kinard has been in the marine-electronics sales and service business in Dallas since 1982. He added archery to his business in 2002.

He thinks his experience at All Star Archery and Marine Electronics will serve him well on the Board. That’s because the marine-electronics business has seen many of the same issues now facing the archery industry. As an ATA Board member, Kinard hopes to strengthen independent retailers, and improve communication between dealers and manufacturers.

Colgrove has similar goals. “ATA has been a force in growing archery and bowhunting in recent years,” she said. “It’s been working to help retailers be more profitable. It means a great deal that ATA has extended a Board seat to ARRO. With ARRO having a consistent voice with ATA, I hope it strengthens the relationship and communication between ARRO, ATA and manufacturers.”

Colgrove oversees all aspects of ARRO and works with its board of directors, and all ARRO members and supporting manufacturers. Since 1996 she has co-owned and operated Full Draw Archery in Omaha, Nebraska, with her husband, Kent. She is a Nebraska bowhunter education instructor, National Archery in the Schools Program BAIT instructor, and a USA Archery Level 3 coach/instructor.

Kinard and Colgrove are excited to address industry challenges as ATA Board members, and work more directly with the ATA to strengthen the industry, bowhunting and recreational archery.

The ATA Board also announced Wayne Piersol joined the Board as the Retail Council‘s vice chair. As an independent retailer, Piersol works with the ATA’s other Retail Council members — Mark Copeland and Randy Phillips — to help guide and support ATA’s retail members.

Piersol began his term July 7. “I welcome this opportunity to work with other dealers and manufactures around the globe,” he said. I hope to bring an honest business perspective of a brick-and-mortar store to the Board.”

Piersol has 38 years of archery-related experience, and has owned Archery Only Inc., a pro shop in Newark, California, for 28 years. He co-founded NABA and served as vice president of its board of directors for 22 years.

About the Archery Trade Association
The Archery Trade Association is the organization for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, sales representatives and others working in the archery and bowhunting industry. The ATA has served its members since 1953. It is dedicated to making the industry profitable by decreasing business overhead, reducing taxes and government regulation, and increasing participation in archery and bowhunting. The organization also owns and operates the ATA Trade Show, the archery and bowhunting industry’s largest and longest-running trade show worldwide. For more information, like the ATA Trade Show on Facebook, follow @ATATradeShow on Twitter, or learn more about archery and bowhunting at Archery360.com and Bowhunting360.com.

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Washington, D.C. (July 19, 2017) – Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and other senior federal officials met with representatives of the outdoor recreation industry, including Archery Trade Association President and CEO Jay McAninch, at the U.S. Department of the Interior today to discuss how the use of public-private partnerships can help improve visitor experiences on America’s public lands and waters.

“One of my top priorities is to expand recreational access to public lands and waters. Today I’m excited to announce that, for the first time, the Department of the Interior will host a recreation advisory committee dedicated to looking at public-private partnerships across all public lands, with the goal of expanding access to and improving the infrastructure on public lands,” said Secretary Zinke.  “We already have thousands of private partners who operate on federal lands. Whether it’s the iconic Jammers in Glacier National Park, the historic El Tovar lodge at the Grand Canyon, or the kayaks that you can rent on the Potomac River, American workers are at the heart of helping American families experience our great outdoors.”

“The ATA is pleased that Secretary Zinke is moving quickly to implement public-private partnerships as a mechanism to maximize outdoor recreation on public lands,” McAninch said. “The public-private formula will ensure the public’s right to access to enjoy the great outdoors while providing the funding that will not only provide excellent recreational opportunities but also cover the critical infrastructure needs that have so often been ignored when support comes only from Federal budgets.”

Thom Dammrich, President of the National Marine Manufacturers Association and a leader of the Outdoor Recreation Industry Roundtable (ORIR) began the meeting by introducing almost 30 offers of private investment on public lands totaling more than $80 million, calling them “just the first wave of thousands more opportunities that will emerge over the next few months.”  National Park Hospitality Association (NPHA) President Terry MacRae outlined 19 proposed projects in national parks alone.  These projects will help improve visitor experiences by modernizing accommodations, expanding connectivity, improving campgrounds, adding new services and more.

“The ATA is excited to work with staff of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management to use public-private partnerships to implement Secretary Zinke’s Order No. 3347,” McAninch said. “The order seeks to expand access for recreational hunting and fishing on public lands, and members of our industry are poised and ready to invest in making sure that happens. We are also pleased to hear that Secretary Zinke is directing Interior staff to coordinate closely with the state fish and wildlife agencies in prioritizing access for hunters and anglers. Bowhunters count on the states for scientific management of all wildlife, and having the states play a prominent role on Federal lands is long overdue.”

Outdoor recreation is vital to the economic and healthful well-being of America. The industry generates $887 billion in direct spending and supports 7.6 million jobs across all 50 states. Secretary Zinke, representatives of the Outdoor Recreation Industry Roundtable (ORIR), key national park concessioners and Members of Congress discussed how improving infrastructure, encouraging innovation, and developing new and enhanced public-private partnerships will give the American people more opportunities to enjoy healthy, active fun on their public lands and waters, while helping outdoor recreation continue to grow as a powerful and positive economic force in America.

Public-private partnerships have existed on public lands and waters for more than a century and currently provide a vast array of services across the country.  From the iconic lodges of our national parks to world-class ski resorts on national forests, federal agencies and private industry have a proven history of working together to provide great activities on public lands.  Expanding partnerships – especially at campgrounds – would allow park rangers to focus on welcoming visitors with a great experience, rather than on less mission-focused activities like fee collection and trash collection.

Following the meeting, Secretary Zinke led the group to Simón Bolivar Park and a showcase of American-made outdoor recreation products as part of “Made in America Week.”  There are more than 100,000 manufacturing jobs provided by the recreation industry – producing boats, RVs, off-road vehicles, outdoor equipment and more.

ORIR, NPHA and experienced partners across the country pledged to collaborate with the Department of the Interior and other federal land management agencies. They offered innovative solutions and expanded partnerships to advance a shared vision of increasing access to modern recreational opportunities and enjoyable experiences for all visitors to federal lands.

For more information, contact Teresa Johnson, ATA’s senior director of communications and administration, at (860) 315-5231 or teresajohnson@archerytrade.org.

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Senior officials from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and U.S. Forest Service met with more than 30 representatives of the outdoor recreation industry, including ATA President/CEO Jay McAninch and Jas. D. Easton, Inc. CFO and Vice President, Daren Cottle, at Shenandoah National Park April 24 to discuss improving visitor experiences on America’s public lands and waters. The meeting was hosted by the Outdoor Recreation Industry Roundtable (ORIR) at Skyland Resort – operated by National Park concessioner Delaware North.

McAninch also represented the ATA’s members in a meeting with Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke on Monday evening, discussing the impact of the recreation industry as it relates to creating sustainable opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors, including activities like bowhunting and archery.

According to the American Sportfishing Association’s press release, Secretary Zinke provided an overview of his design for a major departmental reorganization, which he described as the “biggest in 100 years,” which reflects the visions of legendary outdoorsmen John Muir and Gifford Pinchot. The reorganization will unite all federal lands around key ecosystems. He told the group that the reorganization will reflect recreation’s large and growing role in public land and water management and substantially boost on-the-ground manpower.

The wide-ranging discussion included plans for ongoing cooperation and collaboration, including the development of sites for innovative, partner-based recreation expansion on federal lands. The Secretary invited the ORIR to return with a list of at least ten sites within 60 days.

The meeting concluded with conversations about how ORIR and the recreation community could support the Secretary’s efforts, including the reorganization. The Secretary is eager to enlist the recreation community and recognizes the opportunities for use of channels ranging from trade and consumer shows to retail locations to social media sites and recreation print and electronic publications, according to the ASA.

Outdoor recreation is big business, generating $887 billion in direct spending and supporting 7.6+ million jobs across all 50 states. At Skyland Resort, ORIR members, key recreation company CEOs and senior administration officials discussed how improved infrastructure and increased opportunities for innovation and public-private partnerships will give more people the chance to enjoy healthy, active fun on their public lands and waters, while helping outdoor recreation continue to grow as a powerful and positive force in America.

“Access to recreation opportunities on Federal lands is critical for the long-term sustainability of our industry,” McAninch commented. “By teaming up with the ORIR and other outdoor trade organizations, the ATA strengthens its ability to advocate for our industry and the access needed to keep people using bows and arrows for many years to come.”

DOI Senior White House Advisor Doug Domenech outlined key goals and challenges, and emphasized the need to expand access on public lands and waters, saying, “the Roosevelt Arch says, ‘For the benefit and enjoyment of the people,’ and bringing people back to the equation is clearly an important issue.”

Meeting participants identified access as a crucial area where the private sector can help federal partners improve visitor experiences in the great outdoors. They discussed the negative impact of access restrictions and the value of adopting practices to help enhance access to public lands and waters, including a “yes first” mentality, the streamlining of permitting processes, and closer management partnerships with state fish and wildlife agencies and the recreation industry.

Participants also discussed the importance of providing visitors with world-class experiences in these world-class places, and the role private industry can play in upgrading facilities, increasing connectivity, implementing electronic passes, modernizing campsites, developing access for hunting and fishing, creating new recreation opportunities such as shooting, and more.

“It was a privilege to be included in the ORIR’s discussions with DOI and Forest Service officials,” Cottle said. “We at Easton, Hoyt and the Easton Foundations feel a responsibility to join the ATA and the broader outdoor recreation industry to engage with government agencies to help improve and expand outdoor recreation. With the ORIR now in place, we can be a unified force to help move the outdoor recreation needle in a more positive direction. It is also encouraging that the archery industry has a seat at the table.”

Industry members offered their ideas on reducing the multi-billion-dollar maintenance backlog plaguing the public lands. Suggestions included longer concessions contracts, extended service hours and seasons, restructured fee retention, reduced barriers to private investment, more efficient fee collection and a reassessment of backlog needs.

“Our ORIR team agreed to create project proposals for 10 sites within the next 60 days, which means we have to walk the talk, just like Secretary Zinke has done,” McAninch explained. “Public-private partnerships are key to making those experiences positive, shareable ones that will keep people excited about visiting the great outdoors, and enjoying activities like archery and bowhunting.”

The recreation industry representatives emphasized their commitment to helping DOI overcome its current challenges. Providing support for DOI funding in the FY2018 budget, encouraging a Recreation Title in upcoming infrastructure legislation and prioritizing the REC Act were just some of the ideas offered during the discussion. They also discussed how public-private partnerships can help promote awareness and support for America’s outdoors by capitalizing on industry efforts like Explore Bowhunting, Go RVing, Discover Boating and TakeMeFishing to spread the word about great opportunities on public lands and waters. ORIR members noted that their trade shows – the eight largest recreation trade shows in the country, including the ATA Trade Show – would provide a perfect opportunity to enhance communications between DOI and the nation’s recreation community.

“There is extraordinary opportunity,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association President and an ORIR member. “Never before has an industry coalition with all outdoor recreation sectors come together with a unified voice to offer its assistance in improving visitor experiences on America’s public land and waters. Our great outdoors are a unifying force in an era of political divisions, and the outdoor recreation industry stands ready to join forces with Secretary Zinke and the Department of the Interior in providing healthy, active outdoor fun in America’s great outdoors.”

About the ATA
The Archery Trade Association is the organization for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, sales representatives and others working in the archery and bowhunting industry. The ATA has served its members since 1953. It is dedicated to making the industry profitable by decreasing business overhead, reducing taxes and government regulation, and increasing participation in archery and bowhunting. The organization also owns and operates the ATA Trade Show, the archery and bowhunting industry’s largest and longest-running trade show worldwide.

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Jimmy Primos of Primos Hunting Calls has agreed to serve on the Archery Trade Association‘s Board of Directors through March 31, 2020. The Board appointed Primos to fill the remainder of the Board term that recently opened when Robinson Outdoor Products resigned its seat.

Primos, the call manufacturer’s chief operating officer, has served on the ATA Board since 2008. He also previously served as a vice chair on the Board’s executive committee. Primos is a graduate of Ole Miss University, and has been Primos Hunting Calls’ chief operating officer since 2007. Before starting his business career, Primos served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, including duty in Vietnam. Primos also worked as a broker for Merrill Lynch before joining Primos Hunting Calls.

Primos operates Primos Hunting Calls with his cousin Will in Flora, Mississippi. The company is widely known for its elk, deer, turkey and waterfowl calls; as well as its ground blinds and scent-elimination products. The company is also an industry leader in outdoor television and hunting videos, earning acclaim for shows like “Primos TRUTH About Whitetails” and its multi-species “TRUTH” DVD series.

Primos has long worked hard to help grow recreational archery, and has staunchly supported the ATA’s Community Archery Program since its inception in 2005. For instance, his efforts were instrumental in opening archery parks in Alabama, and he speaks passionately about the need to make archery more accessible to the public.

“We use Alabama as the example other states should follow, not just for recreational archery, but for urban bowhunting, and hunter recruitment and retention,” Primos said. “Parks like Oak Mountain demonstrate the economic benefit that communities can expect from high-quality archery ranges. When you can attract over 1,000 archers like they plan to do for weekend tournaments, and many of those competitors bring their families, investments like this pay off for the community, the sport and the industry.”

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Jay McAninch, president and CEO of the Archery Trade Association, announced this week that 2017 will be his last full year in his current role as head of the ATA. The organization’s Board of Directors, headed by its Executive Committee, will begin developing a process to recruit a new President and CEO over the course of the current year. McAninch has indicated his flexibility in working until his successor is named or through the 2018 ATA Trade Show.

Members of the Board’s Executive Committee were swift in their praise of McAninch’s efforts on behalf of the ATA for the past 17 years, during which the organization went from the brink of financial disaster to being a member-driven, profitable trade association hosting the world’s largest archery and bowhunting Trade Show. Under McAninch’s guidance, the ATA has used the revenues from its Trade Show to help organizations, such as the National Archery in the Schools Program, USA Archery and countless state agencies, fund archery programming and facilities across the United States, ensuring the long-term sustainability of archery and bowhunting for the ATA’s members.

“Jay McAninch will leave huge hunting boots to fill,” commented Ben Summers, Chair of the ATA Board of Directors and Vice President of T.R.U. Ball/AXCEL. “When I first became an ATA Board member 11 years ago, our organization was in debt and our impact was small. Jay has expertly managed our organization to have a significant surplus, while using the relationships he built over years as an expert wildlife biologist and head of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation to have significant positive impact in Washington, DC, and with wildlife agencies in each state. He also expanded ATA’s reach to help archery federations in individual countries around the world. Jay has made archery and bowhunting better in too many ways to list.”

“I have enjoyed working with Jay for many years,” said Greg Easton, member of the Board of Directors’ Executive Committee and President of Jas. D. Easton Inc. “His commitment to archery and the ATA has always been relentless, and his contributions to our industry and the sport will continue to serve the ATA for many years. I want to personally thank Jay for his years of service and wish him the best in the future.”

Mark Copeland, head of the Archery Trade Association’s Retail Council and a member of the Board of Directors’ Executive Committee, agreed: “Jay has laid a strong foundation for his successor while still allowing him to foster the relationships he has developed on Capitol Hill, on the ATA’s behalf. The ATA has become the benchmark for a successful trade organization, envied by many. Jay’s passion for bowhunting is surpassed only by his lifelong determination to better understand and protect the bowhunters’ primary resource: the whitetail deer. I have personally admired Jay’s ability to get multiple groups working together, focusing their energy on the greater good for all things outdoors. Although Jay is beginning the process of stepping down, his efforts will be felt for many years to come. Jay’s shoes will not be easy to fill, but I am confident in the strength of our Board and more importantly, the quality of the team he has assembled, to carry our vision forward.”

The support of the organization’s Board of Directors, and McAninch’s ability to work with these industry leaders, has been a key component of the ATA’s success, especially in taking advantage of the “archery boom” in recent years, and now refocusing on growing bowhunting. Summers confirmed that the Board of Directors will continue to work in this direction: “The ATA Board has been solidly behind Jay’s efforts and the efforts of his staff to be a force for good in the archery, bowhunting, and conservation communities. The ATA will continue to be a trusted positive leader in the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, our ATA Trade Show will continue to be the largest and most important forum for conducting archery business, and our significant financial reserves will help us to keep and expand on our commitments to our valued partners.”

“Deciding to step down was a hard decision but, after 17 years, it’s time for someone to take archery and bowhunting to a new level,” explained McAninch. “I still want to be involved in archery, bowhunting and conservation in some capacity, but I also want to find more time for my three grandsons and granddaughter. I do plan to help the ATA Board of Directors and the ATA staff in every way I can as they work to build the next chapter for our industry.”

About the ATA
The Archery Trade Association is the organization for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, sales representatives and others working in the archery and bowhunting industry. The ATA has served its members since 1953. It is dedicated to making the industry profitable by decreasing business overhead, reducing taxes and government regulation, and increasing participation in archery and bowhunting. The organization also owns and operates the ATA Trade Show, the archery and bowhunting industry’s largest and longest-running trade show worldwide.

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It’s all too easy to feel alone in the world when you’re a small business owner. The entire concept of owning a business goes hand in hand individualism, but the archery industry has some unique options that aren’t available to the vast majority of other small businesses. There are a lot of organizations that are solely dedicated to increasing archery participation and laying foundations for future growth. Here are some of the allies that are already out there, and the ways they can help an archery pro-shop thrive.

Buying Groups

When considering organizations that help archery dealers, buying groups cannot be overlooked. They offer a lot of perks that many dealers find indispensable:

• Better prices: Buying groups reduce retailers’ overhead costs by combining the purchasing power of shops nationwide. Retailers get the same products they would buy on their own, but at much lower prices. Some buying groups also use their muscle to pay quarterly, annual or performance-based dividends to members.

• Improved payment options: Rather than paying multiple manufacturers for various products, buying groups combine a retailer’s bill for products into one payment. Manufacturers like this because they process only one invoice rather than hundreds of smaller invoices. Advances in Internet communications and other digital technology further streamline billing and receivables, eliminating paper and enhancing convenience for all parties involved.

• Marketing opportunities: Manufacturers get more bang for their buck by incentivizing entire buying groups to stock and sell certain products. Normally, they seldom contact individual businesses with special product/deal/marketing campaigns, but it’s convenient to ask buying groups to share something with their members. This gives retailers the chance to offer unique products or point-of-purchase items they normally wouldn’t stock. Some manufacturers go even further by providing buying-group members advertising programs from their professional marketing teams. Buying groups extend that expertise to their members, benefiting both parties by increasing exposure and sales.

• Access to the latest technology: Small businesses seldom have the time, money or knowhow to stay current with cutting-edge technology. Buying groups provide members with access to diverse digital advancements. Therefore, retailers can easily and conveniently oversee product shipments, inventory quantities and claims processing electronically. This means less hassle and fewer errors.

• Business advice: Small-business owners usually aren’t surrounded by friends and family who own small businesses themselves, let alone one in the same industry. This means when times are tough and difficult decisions must be made they struggle to find solid, informed answers. Another buying-group perk is simply picking up the phone and discussing important choices with an industry expert who’s invested in the small business’s success. Buying groups must also know which items are hot – or will be hot – each year. Such information is vital to negotiating the group’s best contracts with manufacturers. Therefore, as shop owners plan their inventory needs, they have easy access to well-informed industry experts.

• Networking: A buying group’s greatest strength is its combined buying power, but people easily overlook its combined brain power. Buying groups build bonds between independent retailers, making life in a niche market more inclusive and less isolated. Buying groups often host special events for members, including their own buying shows. Besides being a great place to share hunting stories and make new friends, these gatherings are excellent forums for exchanging ideas and sharing ways to fix common issues. This can also help those who are considering selling their business. What better place to find potential buyers than a gathering of like-minded small-business owners? In fact, the buying group might help a member find a suitable buyer. After all, the group wants every member to succeed.

• Extra time: All these perks offer another hidden bonus to retailers: spare time. Because the buying group is handling things like marketing, negotiating contracts, monitoring technology, and scouting the season’s hottest products, the small-business owner has more time to interact with customers and employees. In fact, a buying group’s most valuable asset could be reducing stress for its members and allowing them to focus more on customer service.

NABA

NABA, a nonprofit organization, formed in 1995 with help from former PSE sales representatives Jerry Morrison and Scott Eastman in the aftermath of the Central Oregon Buying Group’s demise. That group’s treasury had a $225 balance at the time, which fueled NABA’s launch. The original board of directors included Norm and Tom Geertsen from Broken Arrow Archery of Milwaukie, Oregon; John Schauble, All seasons Archery in Boise, Idaho; John Nelson, Little Johns Archery in Roseville, California; and Wayne Piersol, Archery Only in Newark, California.

In 2003 they attended the ATA Trade Show, establishing a relationship that has attracted more dealers for NABA and expanded its membership base in Eastern states. NABA has grown about 10 percent each year, and currently has about 375 retailers on its rolls. NABA also hosts its own annual buying show in Reno, Nevada, where members network and address their inventory needs.

Learn more about NABA here.

ARRO

ARRO has roots extending to 1968, but was incorporated by Gordon Bentley of Oregon, Wisconsin, in 1981. It was once known as the Archery Lane Operators Association. ARRO is independently owned and operated, with Bentley’s daughter Lynn Stiklestad serving as its executive secretary and administrative director. It emphasizes bowhunting and competitive shooting in its membership, and supports ranges, leagues and 3-D shooting. With its community of experts, ARRO provides members with great product discounts, and valuable resources and networking. ARRO prides itself on being a member/stockholder cooperative buying group, meaning its members are stockholders who receive annual dividends.

Learn more about ARRO here.

S3DA and NASP

While buying groups interact directly with the business side of a pro-shop, there are a lot of organizations that provide assistance through different avenues. Younger generations must get involved with archery for the industry to have a solid future, and these are some of the organizations ensuring that happens.

S3DA

The Scholastic Archery Association, DBA Scholastic 3-D Archery, was created to foster, educate and guide youth interested in 3-D and target archery.

They consider themselves responsible for:

• Sanctioning and conducting national, local/state, and regional 3-D and target archery competitions and championships.
• Selecting, supporting, and managing teams and staff for 3-D and target archery competitions.
• Creating and maintaining the resources and infrastructure with local sportsman’s clubs that are necessary to support the growth of youth and high school 3D and target archery in the United States of America.
• Promoting the growth and development of instructional and competitive archery programs in the educational institutions in the United States of America.
• Establishing and enforcing rules, regulations, and procedures concerning eligibility to compete in order to ensure fair competition.

Recently they’ve really been picking up steam. Big-name sponsors like Bear Archery, Papes, Trophy Ridge and Extreme Archery Products have allowed them to appoint coordinators for each state. These state coordinators oversee all aspects of the S3DA program in their respective state, including organizing tournaments, dividing the state into regions that will allow S3DA participants multiple monthly competition venues as close as possible to their home location, and recruiting and hiring regional coordinators to oversee and manage these individual regions.

Learn more about S3DA here.

NASP

While S3DA has been providing young adults and competitive archers with quality tournaments, NASP has been instilling a passion for archery early on.

They focus on three main things:

• Archery Curriculum: Units of study that focus on education, conservation, and target archery written by experts to meet state and national educational standards. This enables NASP to speak the language of educators who are intent on teaching core content throughout the school day. These units were designed for inclusion in a school’s physical education curriculum but in a few NASP schools these archery lessons are presented by history, language, art, and even Spanish teachers.

• Teacher Training: Instructor Training was developed so teachers in every participating school could be certified to present NASP lessons that are safe for students, instructors, bystanders and the facility. To date more than 50,000 people have been certified by NASP. During the training, teachers learn how to set up and operate a safe archery range in their gymnasium.

• Universal Fit Archery Equipment: NASP uses highly standardized gear that’s safe, durable, economical, and most importantly, a universal fit for almost every student. In NASP, learning the process of shooting is stressed far more than arrow scores. The only bow used in NASP is a Genesis compound, which has no let-off and is adjustable from 10-20 pounds in draw weight at any draw length. Only full-length aluminum arrows are used in NASP to fit every student and to preserve NASP’s perfect safety record.

These companies sow the seeds for the future of archery. Keep an eye on them to watch their continuing development. A local tournament or event could be a great way to get interested younger archers in your pro-shop.

Learn more about NASP here.

ATA

The ATA is probably the first thing that comes to mind when one considers organizations growing archery. The Archery Trade Association works year-round for the industry, and its role is only growing. Programs like their Retail Growth Initiative and Explore Bowhunting form a two-pronged strategy for making dealers more successful.

The Retail Growth Initiative helps dealers on the storefront side of things, showing them ways to make their business more appealing and profitable. This program focuses on increasing foot traffic to stores, increasing traffic to websites, increased shooting range profits, and increasing equipment sales. This program is 100 percent free to ATA members and truly worth checking out.

Explore Bowhunting works on the other side, increasing interest in bowhunting to ultimately drive more customers to archery shops. Explore Bowhunting is an educational program designed to help instructors, program leaders and educators teach students ages 11-17 the basic skills of bowhunting. The Archery Trade Association has created this program to spark an interest and passion for bowhunting in today’s youth. Through these hands-on experiences students gain confidence interacting with the natural environment and strengthen their appreciation for wildlife and the woods. Explore Bowhunting is offered nationwide through state wildlife agencies. Educators can receive the complete Explore Bowhunting curriculum packet by attending a development workshop.  Contact your state wildlife agency to locate and register for an Explore Bowhunting workshop near you.

Meanwhile, the ATA also acts as a strong-arm for the archery industry for legislative and legal issues.

Check out all the ATA’s amazing resources here.

USA Archery and World Archery

Although USA Archery and World Archery are currently up to their neck with Olympic archery coverage and promotion, they work year round to place archery in front of the eyes of the public. They work hard to promote archery, support athletes, and provide valuable resources for the industry as a whole.

An excellent recent example just occurred.

USA Archery partnered with First Lady Michelle Obama and her “Let’s Move!” initiative. The program’s goal is to get more kids healthy and active by capitalizing on the Olympic and Paralympic spirit this summer. USA Archery and many national governing bodies affiliated with the U.S. Olympic Committee made this commitment to the Partnership for a Healthier America to provide beginner athletic programming to kids in their communities during the year ahead. As part of the commitment, USA Archery will facilitate grants for archery kits, programming and instructor certification to help grow archery. Its goal is to introduce 50,000 children to the sport through the Explore Archery and Junior Olympic Archery Development program during the next 12 months.

This is another excellent organization that’s solely devoted to celebrating archery and the people who love it.

Check out USA Archery’s website and World Archery’s website to learn more about the resources they provide.

JOAD

US Archery also sponsors JOAD (Junior Olympic Archery Development), a nationwide program that provides youth age 8 to 20 with ongoing archery classes to help them progress from beginner to advanced level archery, at their own pace. This is another great organization getting kids involved. Learn more at USA Archery’s website.

Easton Foundations

Created by Jim Easton, CEO of Jas. D. Easton, Inc., the Foundations support the building and/or operation of outdoor and indoor archery facilities at city parks, schools, universities and sports complexes throughout the U.S.  In addition to these facilities, the Foundations provide programs to train aspiring archers, trainers, coaches and administrators.

The first Easton Sports Development Foundation was created in 1984 with the mission to introduce this lifetime activity and historic Olympic-style sport of archery to more people in Southern California. The success of that effort led to the formation in 2006 of a second Easton foundation, Easton Sports Development Foundation II.

The Easton Foundations sponsor a variety of programs to increase the awareness of archery. Among the programs initiated by ESDF are Olympic Archery in Schools (OAS), which helps schools to form archery teams to compete in a unique league.  The Foundation also sponsored the 2009 Archery Youth World Cup and the 2010-2012 Archery World Cups in Ogden, UT and runs various youth archery programs from its Archery Centers in Newberry, FL; Salt Lake City, Utah and Van Nuys, CA.

Easton Sports Development Foundation II (ESDFII) also awards several grants every year to clubs, programs, schools, colleges and universities, and organizations that propose archery-related plans or projects. Check out the Easton Sports Development Foundation website to learn more.

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