Sporting Goods Stores Trade Associations

American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA)

Trade association for the fly-fishing business that advances the industry through advocacy, market education, and community-building; members include fly shops, brands, guides, outfitters, and media.

https://affta.org/ Membership: 600

American Sportfishing Association (ASA)

U.S. sportfishing’s primary trade group (producer of ICAST) that unites manufacturers, retailers, reps, and other stakeholders for advocacy, research, and events; membership reached a record in 2024.

https://asafishing.org/ Membership: 900

Archery Trade Association (ATA)

The archery and bowhunting industry’s trade association (organizer of the ATA Show) representing manufacturers, distributors, retailers, ranges and more.

https://archerytrade.org/ Membership: 2,500

Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM)

Professional association serving the golf retail channel with education, benchmarking and events; includes buyer members and vendor partners across off-course, public, private and resort shops.

https://agmgolf.org/ Membership: 1,025

Board Retailers Association (BRA)

Nonprofit that represents and supports independent specialty surf, skate and snow retailers with education, resources and industry connections.

https://boardretailers.org/ Membership: 600

Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA)

International association for the scuba diving and snorkeling business—retailers, operators, manufacturers and training agencies—offering research, advocacy and the annual DEMA Show.

https://www.dema.org/ Membership: 1,300

Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA)

The footwear industry’s trade association serving the full value chain (brands, retailers, importers and manufacturers) with advocacy, customs/trade support, research and education.

https://fdra.org/ Membership: 500

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance (GOA)

A retailer‑owned network strengthening independent outdoor specialty retail through buying shows (Connect), data sharing and advocacy; comprised of 104 retailers plus 67 vendor partners.

https://www.grassrootsoutdoors.com/ Membership: 171

Nation’s Best Sports (NBS)

Member‑owned buying group that helps independent outdoor and general sporting goods retailers compete via exclusive buying markets, central billing and vendor programs across North America.

https://www.nationsbestsports.com/ Membership: 440

National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW)

Trade association for two‑step distribution in the shooting sports; core voting members are wholesalers, with a large affiliate base of manufacturers and other industry firms.

https://nasgw.org/ Membership: 537

National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA)

Association dedicated to helping independent bicycle retailers thrive through education, research, programs, and advocacy.

https://nbda.com/ Membership: 1,000

National Golf Buyers Association (NGBA / Golf Headquarters)

Golf specialty retail buying group (also known as Golf Headquarters) uniting independent stores for purchasing power, education and promotions.

https://golfheadquarters.com/ Membership: 66

National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF)

The firearm industry’s trade association (organizer of SHOT Show) providing advocacy, compliance resources, research and retailer/range support.

https://www.nssf.org/ Membership: 10,000

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)

The outdoor industry’s U.S. trade association focused on advocacy, market intelligence, and sustainability programs for brands, suppliers, reps, retailers and nonprofits.

https://outdoorindustry.org/ Membership: 1,200

PeopleForBikes Coalition

The U.S. bicycle industry’s trade association (Coalition) representing supplier and brand members with policy advocacy, market data and industry resources.

https://membership.peopleforbikes.org/ Membership: 325

Running Industry Association (RIA)

Nonprofit supporting the specialty run retail channel (U.S. and Canada) with education, data, and collaboration among retailers, brands and service providers.

https://runningindustry.org/ Membership: 300

Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA)

Premier U.S. trade association for sports and fitness brands, manufacturers, retailers and governing bodies; provides research (participation and sales), advocacy and industry programs.

https://sfia.org/ Membership: 700

Sports, Inc.

Member‑owned sporting goods buying group connecting independent dealers with 1,000+ suppliers, offering buying shows, rebates and shared services; serves both team and outdoor categories.

https://www.sportsinc.us/ Membership: 500

Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA)

Trade association for the towed water sports industry (wake, waterski, tow boats, cable parks, parasail, retailers and more), leading on access, safety and advocacy (e.g., Wake Responsibly).

https://wsia.net/ Membership: 250

Winter Sports Retailers (WSR)

Largest U.S. network of specialty snow sports retailers formed by the merger of Snowsports Merchandising Corporation and Sports Specialists Ltd.; fosters retailer–supplier collaboration and buying power.

https://www.snowsportsmerchandising.com/ Membership: 118