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available. Those resources are featured in NSGA's biweekly electronic newsletter, NSGA Scoreboard, our bimonthly magazine, NSGA Now and in other email communications. Business owners who remained flexible, opportunistic, creative and nimble are best equipped to expand 2021 business. What were the high points of the past year? Were there any? The determination we saw among front-line workers battling the pandemic and the char- acter our members and those throughout the industry have shown to adapt and succeed. Innovation, including products such as pro- tective masks that can be used in athletic competition and protective shields for football and hockey helmets, continued to fuel success. An easier question: How about the low points? There are several obvious low points, includ- ing the pandemic's deadly impact; significant personal, societal and economic stress; civil unrest that led to the destruction of businesses and the political divides that delayed members of the industry from getting timely, ongoing and comprehensive support they need. And in the world of sporting goods? The shutdown and disruption of sports – especially at the high school and youth levels – that could have adverse long-term effects on participation and the sporting goods industry were certainly low points. Did anything good come out of the past nine months at all? The retailer and dealer community adapt- ing quickly to the uncertain environment, offering services such as curbside pickup and COVID-related products, were definitely bright spots. In addition, the resurgence of outdoor activities such as biking, fishing and running, along with indoor training and personal fitness activities, serve as pathways to growing participation. Those trends bode well for the sports industry. Now looking ahead, what does NSGA plan to do differently as we head into 2021 in light of what we are calling this "next normal"? One of the biggest changes NSGA made was to focus on distributing resources and informa- tion related to COVID-19 and its effects on our industry. We communicated early and often and in different ways than we had previously. Social media information distribution became a key component of our strategy. How does that carry over into this year? A big challenge in 2021 is continuing to keep an eye on the impacts of COVID while moving ahead with the latest information and services to support our members and to effectively represent the retailer and dealer community. What technology applications that you relied on in 2020 because of COVID-19 are you carrying into 2021? Similar to many organizations, NSGA was definitely more reliant on applications such as Microsoft Teams Meeting for virtual meetings since our staff has been working remotely since mid-March. NSGA has also used Teams Meeting for virtual interviews with members of the industry on a variety of topics from working with vendors to a Q&A on the impact of COVID on football helmet reconditioning. And your social media efforts? NSGA has also increased its emphasis on dis- tributing information via social media, from rule changes and news about equipment to updates on the Paycheck Protection Program. We will continue to use social media to communicate quickly with people in the industry and to be a resource for athletic programs, administrators, coaches, athletes and parents with vital infor- mation on sporting goods products. What do team dealers and their vendors need to do to adapt to this new business environ- ment? And are they doing it? Collaboration and communication between team dealers and vendors is more important than ever. Suppliers have exhibited flexibility on terms and making sure dealers are not forced to take on more product than they are capable of moving because of uncertainties with sports throughout the country. How about team dealers? Independent team dealers need to be up front with vendors about what type of financial or product challenges they face. This type of understanding seems to be taking place in many instances. What would you say to your suppliers if you were a dealer or small retailer? We would suggest that the supplier community view their distribution practices much like they do their financial investments. Don't put all your eggs in one basket; don't distribute your product through one exclusive channel. The retailer and dealer community adds significant value to building stronger brands and are experts at providing the top-quality customer service. That reflects well on brands they carry. Finally, what is your prediction for the busi- ness of team sports in 2021? The team sports industry will continue to face challenges in 2021 related to uncertainty with COVID. How much of a spring sports market will there be since most programs from col- lege to high school to youth were shut down and may not have used the uniforms or gear purchased for last year? There are states where high school sports will be played at untraditional times, such as football in the spring, and that will pose big challenges for equipment and apparel. And on the bright side? There may be a significant pent-up demand for products, services and new ideas. Given poten- tial supply chain stress, it will be important to offer different colors, styles or materials that can be delivered in a timely fashion. We also believe there is a segment of customers who want to support their local businesses. It creates opportunities for retailers and dealers to cement lifelong relationships with those neighbors. Any final thoughts? The retailers and dealers who are reliable business partners, prepare contingency plans, offer customers product alternatives and continue to provide great service will survive and grow their business. n The team sports industry will continue to face challenges in 2021 related to uncertainty with COVID. sportstylemag.com March 2021 ~ sportstyle 67

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