Networking and strategy are the lifeblood of the retail industry, and last week’s trip to Texas proved exactly why. Our very own Tori Nook and Greg Guyuron recently returned from the Academy Sports + Outdoors 2026 Broker Summit, and the energy from the event is still palpable.
As one of the premier sporting goods retailers in the nation, Academy Sports + Outdoors continues to set the gold standard for growth and community engagement. Here is a look inside our experience at the summit.
Deep Dives and Retail Strategy
The summit wasn’t just a meet-and-greet; it was a masterclass in modern retail excellence. Tori and Greg participated in high-level strategy sessions that explored:
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Growth Trajectories: Mapping out Academy’s footprint for 2026 and beyond.
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Operational Excellence: Seeing firsthand what makes Academy a standout leader in the “big-box” retail space.
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Market Innovation: Leveraging data-driven insights to better serve the outdoor and athletic communities.
It was time incredibly well spent, providing us with the tools and connections necessary to continue driving value in the retail real estate landscape.
A Heartfelt Thank You
An event of this caliber doesn’t happen without visionary leadership. We want to extend a massive thank you to the Academy Sports + Outdoors team for their incredible hospitality and for facilitating such a phenomenal environment for collaboration.
A special shout-out to the leaders who made us feel so welcome:
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Steve Lawrence & Sam Johnson
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Carl Ford & David Allen
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Jim Lampassi, Brian Ferguson, and Eric Bloch
Looking Ahead to 2027
The insights gained in Texas have us more energized than ever. Academy Sports + Outdoors remains a powerhouse in the industry, and we are proud to be part of their extended network of brokers and partners.
We are already counting down the days until next year’s summit!
Key Takeaway: Success in retail real estate is built on strong partnerships. The 2026 Broker Summit reinforced that when you align with a retailer as dedicated as Academy Sports + Outdoors, the sky is the limit.
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