Vans President Steve Murray, who was just elevated to president of VF’s Action Sports Americas Coalition, and Volcom CEO Richard Woolcott are set to speak at SIMA Surf Summit 12 in May. Steve will give the keynote address while Richard will participate in a Q & A session with Dick Baker.
Below is the official release announcing the line-up, including several other speakers from inside and outside the industry.
Vans’ Steve Murray and Volcom’s Richard Woolcott to Speak at SIMA Surf Summit 12
– Registration is Now Open for SIMA Surf Summit 12 –
Aliso Viejo, Calif. (February 24, 2009) – The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is proud to preview the epic line-up of speakers for SIMA Surf Summit 12. Featured speakers will include a highly anticipated keynote address from Steve Murray, president of Vans and VF’s Action Sports Americas Coalition, as well as an insightful Q&A session with Richard Woolcott, CEO of Volcom.
The surf industry’s most influential players will be gathering on May 6 – 9, 2009, in San José del Cabo, Mexico for the 12th annual SIMA Surf Summit. Registration for the conference is now open to SIMA members and surf retailers.
“This year we will be taking a hard look at some of the economic, technological, and current topics that have shaken our industry,” said Dick Baker, SIMA chairman emeritus. “With a line-up of speakers that is exceptional, I know our attendees will be particularly eager to hear from two of our industry’s own leaders, Steve Murray and Richard Woolcott.”
As of press time, the scheduled SIMA Surf Summit 12 seminars and speakers will include:
Steve Murray / President of Vans & president of VF’s Action Sports Americas Coalition – Keynote address (pictured at right).
Richard Woolcott / CEO of Volcom – Richard will share the stage in a Q & A session with Dick Baker, SIMA chairman emeritus.
Andrew Zolli / New Generation Futurist and executive director & curator of Pop!Tech – Andrew will lead attendees through an exploration of technology trends that will impact the future and the way your company does business.
Tom Kelley / General manager of IDEO design and development firm – Tom will speak on innovation management in thinking, products, and processes. His presentation will detail how-to foster a culture of creativity and develop processes for continuous innovation.
2008 SIMA Retail Distribution Study / Results of the 2008 SIMA Retail Distribution Study will be unveiled and presented by Doug Palladini, chairman of the SIMA Research Committee. The study marks the third SIMA Retail Distribution Study and results will show trends over the past six years by comparing the 2004, 2006, and 2008 SIMA Retail Distribution Studies.
Additional speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Each year, Surf Summit attendees address important issues facing the surf industry, share ideas, learn, network and help shape the future of the surf industry.
“There has never been a more important time to gather the tribe than in 2009,” continued Baker. “Surf Summit is the one time a year that the industry’s key business leaders can escape the daily grind and take a couple days to focus on the progression of the core surf industry into the future. I urge everyone to make a commitment to you, your business and the future of the industry by joining us and uniting the tribe at Surf Summit 12. “
This year SIMA Surf Summit will be at a new venue – the Crowne Plaza Resort Los Cabos (www.cploscabos.com). The all-inclusive, beachside resort is located closer than in years past to all the hot surf spots, including East Cape, which is just 40-minutes away. With all rooms boasting an ocean view, two colossal pools, and as much great food as you can eat, the Crowne Plaza Resort Los Cabos will provide an epic experience all while allowing for a more affordable registration fee for attendees. The more than accommodating venue will set the stage for four days of networking, informative seminars and surfing.
All surf retailers are invited and highly encouraged to attend Surf Summit 12. After a successful debut last year, the SIMA Retail Appreciation Dinner will be held on the second night of Surf Summit. Following the dinner, retailers and manufacturers will head into town for the industry’s traditional night of bonding at Cabo Crawl.
“Core surf retailers are a key part to our industry’s success and a meeting as powerful as Surf Summit would not be complete without these retailer players,” said Kevin Flanagan, right, member of the SIMA Retail Relations Committee and Reef’s vice president of marketing. “We invite surf retailers to attend, contribute and shape a healthy future for our industry during Surf Summit 12.”
Registration materials, including package pricing, will be mailed the week of February 23. For more information, please contact Shannon Park, SIMA Event Manager, at Shannon@sima.com or 949.366.1164 x2. For more Surf Summit XII information, please visit www.sima.com/surfsummit.aspx.
The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is the official working trade association of more than 300 surf industry suppliers. Founded in 1989, SIMA is a non-profit organization that serves to promote awareness of the surf industry and participation in the sport of surfing through public relations efforts and a variety of services, educational programs and research. In addition, SIMA actively supports oceanic environmental efforts through its 501(c)(3) charitable environmental foundation, the SIMA Environmental Fund. In the past 19 years, SIMA’s Environmental Fund has raised more than $4.4 million for environmental groups seeking to protect the world’s oceans, beaches and waves. The SIMA Humanitarian Fund, also a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, was established in 2006 to award grants to various surf or boardsport related social and humanitarian non-profit organizations whose efforts are focused on improving the quality of life, health and/or welfare of people.
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For press inquiries contact:
Mandy Johnson, SIMA communications coordinator
mandy@sima.com or 949.366.1164 x7
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