The IASC Summit got underway Thursday in Orange with a full day of seminars and the Skateboarding Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in the evening.
Mike Lewis of Transworld Business presented data from an extensive survey on business trends in the skateboard industry, which included details on top selling categories like longboards, which continue to gain in importance, shoes (not skate shoes but alternatives such as hanging shoes and Toms), and men’s apparel.
Dave Ingemie of SIA shared details about how the snow industry trade group conducts and uses research and the various programs it has to drive participation and drive snow sales.
And Simon Dufour of Moss Adams shared some startling ecommerce trends, including the prediction that by 2025, 70% of shopping will be done online or via mobile and only 30% will be done in store.
At night, the packed Skateboarding Hall of Fame ceremony inducted John Humphrey, Frank Nasworthy, Glen Friedman, Black Flag, Danny Bearer, Peggy Oki, Jay Adams and Mark Gonzales.
Photographer Glen Friedman, whose career began at 14 when Skateboarder Magazine published his first photo and who cut his teeth chronicling the DogTown crew, gave a rousing and passionate speech about his love of skateboarding and how it changed his life.
“Skateboarding was a way for an outcast kid to gain some self esteem,” he said. “Skateboarding opens us up to the world like nothing else I’ve ever encountered.”
The summit continued Friday. See photos from the Summit above in our slide show.
