Surf Expo’s upcoming trade show in Orlando, Florida, August 20-22, includes many key efforts and activities designed to make the show experience meaningful for manufacturers and retailers:
• Buyer Attendance: To date, buyer pre-registration is doing great, cresting the 6,000 mark and showing a six-percent increase from this same time period last year. Our pre-registration tally includes more than 500 retailers new to Surf Expo. Click here for a map of Surf Expo’s preregistered buyers.
• Shapers Receive Enhanced Exposure: Shapers are the foundation of our industry and we want these guys to rebound and thrive. That’s why we’ve done our utmost to put shapers front and center during the August show in a new, redesigned Board Builders Showcase. For only $100 a non-exhibiting shaper can display one of their boards in the high traffic center of Surf Expo and receive two passes to the show. Of course, shapers exhibiting at the August Surf Expo can participate for free.
• Demonstrations: Our commitment to shapers extends to our education program as well. Drew Brophy will be holding seminars on surfboard graphics, how to thrive as an artist in action sports, and how to give new life to old inventory through artistic embellishments. Click here to see a complete schedule of Surf Expo events.
•Surf Aid International Benefit: Although there’s been belt-tightening at all levels of the industry, we can’t neglect the great programs and organizations that rely on the surf industry. On Friday, August 21, at 8:00 p.m., Surf Expo will host a benefit party for Surf Aid International at Adobe Gila’s. Buy a Surf Aid International bracelet at the show, show it at the bar, and receive free beer while listening to your favorite 80s cover band Gunner Down.
• BRA Retail Survivor Series: We’re also excited to host the BRA Retail Survivor Series one day prior to the opening of the trade show on August 19, 2009. Providing specialty stores with the tools necessary to survive and increase profitability, the Retail Survivor Series will include tracks on merchandising and digital retailing. Click here for more information.
• Special Events: Surf Expo must be a business-friendly venue, but we haven’t neglected the “show” aspect of our mission. We’ll once again host wakeboarding’s biggest night at the 6th Annual Wake Awards brought to you by Wakeboarding Magazine and Rockstar Energy Drink on Thursday at 6:00 pm in the Chapin Theater (Room W320). We’ve partnered with Eastern Skateboard supply to bring in top skate pros like Corey Duffel, Brandon Westgate, Pepper and Chany, Chad Bartie and Gareth Stehr. These guys will be at Team Pain’s Skate Art installation during two daily sessions at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. during the show.
• And yeah, the rumors are true, Surf Expo is bringing in a 50,000-gallon wakeboarding demo to the floor of Surf Expo and the top wake pros will be there. That’s on top of our usual slew of seminars, fashion shows, and after-hour parties, so we’re excited that there will be plenty of sizzle to go along with our usual business-friendly steak.
