SIMA moves surf industry forward following trade-show landscape shift

SIMA's statement on the closing of ASR, and plans for the future. The trade group has been researching trade show options for 18 months.

Published: May 13, 2013

Press Release:

– Business Continues to Grow and Prosper as Surfing Gains Global Prominence –

ALISO VIEJO, CALIF. (November 3, 2010) — Amid news that the long-standing Action Sports Retailer (ASR) trade show in San Diego, Calif. is ceasing operation, the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) today pointed to the need for a new platform that will bring together brands and retailers under one roof.

For the past 18 months, SIMA has been conducting in-depth research and building recommendations based on the direct input of hundreds of surf industry stakeholders as its understanding of the shifting trade show environment has grown. While it may be disappointing to see the lifespan of a West Coast industry tradition such as the ASR trade shows come to an end, SIMA also views this news as a tremendous opportunity to re-invent these key business gatherings, especially in light of continuing reports of positive growth in both leading and emerging brands.

“The fact that the surf industry has outgrown the West Coast trade show model of the past two decades is actually a very positive step forward,” said Doug Palladini, SIMA President and Vans’ VP of Marketing. “As our industry matures, our members are taking more control of their own businesses, addressing retail partnerships directly, and building business relationships across their entire organizations all year long.”

As public surf industry companies report strong sales results and surfing imagery takes a more prominent place in the public mindset as seen in myriad media, advertising, and retail executions, SIMA will build new plans to “gather the tribe” in association with its members, peer trade groups such as the Board Retailers Association (BRA), the International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC), and existing trade show partners such as Surf Expo.

“We at SIMA are aligned that coming together annually as an industry, on the West Coast, including brands and retailers of all shapes and sizes, remains an important piece of our identity,” Palladini says. “And we look forward to working closely with our partners in the coming months to build a new model of what these events can and should be. We have a plethora of good ideas we have been considering for some time now that can be put into action.”

For more information about SIMA, please visit www.sima.com.

ABOUT SIMA

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 21 years, SIMA’s Environmental Fund has raised more than $5.4 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. For more information on SIMA, please visit www.sima.com . Follow us at Twitter.com/SIMA_SURF.