InsideOutdoor Magazine

Inside Outdoor | SUMMER 2018 80 Last fall, EORA (Eastern Outdoor Reps Association) and NESR (New England Sports Representatives) for- mally merged and named themselves Eastern Active Sports Reps, bringing together 675 reps and 2,900 retail- ers to 12 markets and expos each year along the East Coast. Earlier this year the two rep groups solidi- fied that organizational merger by a majority vote of both memberships. And this spring, the non-profit trade organization officially went live with its new name and branding, 360 Ad- venture Collective. Both non-profit rep associations started in 1979, but NESR, focused predominantly on winter sports, recog- nized the need for an expanded port- folio in an increasingly dynamic retail environment. “In 2016, we experienced a winter without snow which led to the demise of numerous multi-door retailers, as well as increased pressure from direct- to-consumer and online channels,” stated NESR president, Will Masson. “We were looking for ways to stay rel- evant to consumers as were our ven- dors and retailers.” “For us, the merger proposed a larger body of reps operating under a common name and shared passion for the outdoor industry,” added EORA president, Allison Frazier. “As retail- ers and vendors weigh which shows to attend and support, 360 Adventure Collective offers the value of hands-on, regional expertise and compounding knowledge that many of our less- focused counterparts can’t. Addition- ally, a unified, larger membership body helps our reps lobby for the most com- petitive discounts for our retailers.” Although under a new name, the group’s markets and expos along the East Coast still provide a differentiating appeal over the more costly national, for-profit alternatives. “Our shows are smaller and typically more convenient, which not only stream- lines my business in writing orders, but it allows my customers the opportunity to experience more of each line more inti- mately,” says 360 Adventure Collective rep, Samantha Flamand. Eagle Creek has chosen Jeff Red, owner of High Country Trading, as its 2017 Rep of the Year. Red founded and has led High Country Trading for six years and has worked with Eagle Creek in various roles since 2001. He directs sales in the Pacific Northwest region and has independently repre- sented outdoor and adventure travel brands since 2012. Eagle Creek bestows this annual award to recognize a representative or agency delivering outstanding results along with superior customer service. High Country Trading was selected for its continued positive revenue growth, account and channel expansion, busi- ness acumen, pre-booking success, planning/forecasting and excellence in servicing national accounts. The Eagle Creek Rep of the Year award includes a $5,000 “Find Your Adventure” self- determined prize.  All aspects of brand building are considered for this award, including but not limited to: in-store presenta- tion, staff training, assortment plan- ning, relationship building, sales growth and developing new business opportunities. Mountain Khakis Names Whitney 2018 Rep of Year Mountain Khakis has named Whit- ney Outdoor Group as the MK 2018 Sales Rep Agency of the Year. Peter Whitney has led the Whit- ney Outdoor Group since 1991 and has represented MK since 2015. He directs sales in New England and has represented complementa- ry brands Sherpa Gear, Helle, Hults Bruk, Hultafors, Nordic Pocket Saw and Swiss Advance. Mountain Khakis also presented the Rep Agency MVP award to Ran- dy and Cindi Downs of Great Lakes Outdoors, and the Dealer Services Representative MVP award to Cameron Gadd. Fisher + Baker Hires East Coast Sales Representation Fisher + Baker has signed Jon and Tiffany Kalupa of the Avalon Group as its East Coast sales repre- sentation. The Avalon Group will be responsible for supporting retailers along the East Coast from Maine to Fla. Based in N.C., the Avalon Group also represents the Jean Shop and Scales. “Jon and Tiffany are coming on board just as we unveil our fifth and largest collection for spring/summer 2019,” said Mike Arbeiter, Fisher + Baker president. “We’re confident their experience in better menswear and the fashion industry will prove invaluable as we continue to grow the brand.” Before establishing their own group, Jon and Tiffany both held executive positions at high profile designer labels including Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Moschino and Jean Paul Gaultier. Eagle Creek Names Red 2017 Rep of the Year REPNEWS&NOTES EORA, NESR Emerge Under New Brand Identity