Last Friday, staff from SnowSports Industries America (SIA) presented major snow sports trends, information on the upcoming SIA Snow Show, SIA media resources plus the “State of the Industry” to a packed room of Northeast-based journalists. The event was hosted in-conjunction with the North American Snowsports Journalists Association East (NASJA-East) annual meeting and the Boston.com Ski & Snowboard Expo. Following the breakfast, David Ingemie was the surprise recipient of the Annual BEWI Award at a lunch hosted by the Expo.
40 journalists attended the breakfast to hear Kelly Davis, SIA’s Director of Research, give a detailed report on the current State of the Snow Sports Industry and New England stats including predicted weather patterns, financial overviews and participation numbers – particularly relevant considering 2.9 million snow sports participants live in the Northeast region. Jessica Kaplan, a style and trend consultant based in New York City, presented major trends and cultural influences for the season ahead laying out three key trends; mountain life, city twist and tech world.
“The Northeast is a very important region for the snow sports market because so many skiers, snowboarders and snowshoe participants call that region home. Last season was excellent in the Northeast and it showed in both increased sales and participation numbers,” commented Kelly Davis.
During the breakfast, Mary Jo Tarallo, director of Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, announced plans for the World’s Largest Ski and Snowboard Lesson, taking place on January 8, 2016, with the goal of securing a Guinness Book of World Record. Reese Brown, SIA’s Nordic director, talked about the new format of a month-long Winter Trails event nationwide.
“As a writer and author, I get wonderful info and pen articles based on presentations made at the SIA Boston Breakfast. This year my editor is excited about fashions and between Jessica Kaplan’s presentation at the breakfast and the Fashion Show at the Ski & Snowboard Expo, I have an article I otherwise might not write,” commented Karen Lorentz, freelance writer and author.
“Once again, this breakfast provided a great opportunity to meet-up with writers from a region known for its love of snow sports,” said David Ingemie, SIA’s president.
Following the SIA-hosted breakfast, SIA president David Ingemie was presented with a surprise 30th Annual BEWI Award at a luncheon hosted by BEWI Productions, producer of Ski & Snowboard Expos, Youth Sports Events and Specialty Winter Promotions.
Bernie Weichsel, president of BEWI Productions, and the award’s namesake, presented the award before 150+ industry leaders, friends and family. Ingemie was credited as an innovator in snow sports marketing and market research, working steadfastly to expand participation in and sales throughout all aspects of snow sports. The BEWI Award is one of many honors bestowed on Ingemie, as he plans for retirement in 2016. Ingemie will also be inducted into the Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Class of 2015 next April.
“It’s emotional. Dave has united the industry for so many years and inspired so many people. He will be genuinely missed around the world, and certainly around the industry,” said Teddy Schiavoni, owner ofSummit Ski and Snowboard Shop in Framingham, MA.
About SIA
Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2014, SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is a non-profit trade association with a long history of working to support the snow sports industry. SIA works year-round with snow sports suppliers, retailers, resorts, reps and service providers to develop products and programs for their individual and collective businesses all with the mission of growing participation, participants and retail sales. SIA also produces the largest trade show globally exclusive to snow and offers targeted insight, trends, and data through its research. Member-owned and industry-inspired, SIA is based in the Washington, DC Metro-Area with offices in CO, OR and RI.
