Surf Expo kicks off Wednesday in Orlando with lots of brand and show events in the works.
There is pent up demand for an industry gathering given that the September Surf Expo last year was canceled because of a hurricane.
Here is a roundup of the brand activations, parties and seminars this week.
DAILY EVENTS
The Florida Shape Off 2020 | Presented by VISSLA
Shaping Bay, Booth 809
The Florida Shape-Off at Surf Expo is an annual surfboard shaping contest and exhibition that takes place during the show to promote the craft and craftsmen of hand-made surfboard shaping. Shapers from across the country compete to replicate an iconic board from a classic balsa wood blank as a tribute to Dick Catri and his contribution to surfboard shaping and the surf industry.
Click here to see the full list of participating shapers and times.
The Stab Cinema Movie Premieres
Booth 3017, Screening + Happy Hour each day at 4:45 PM
Join Stab Magazine in the lounge for a screening of Stab in the Dark and a sneak peek of The Electric Acid Surfboard Test, starring Noa Deane.
Surf Expo Mini Jam hosted by All I Need Skateboards and World Industries
Skate Park, Booth 3400
All I Need Skate and World Industries will be hosting an EPIC Game of Skate & Mini Ramp Jam at Surf Expo. Judges will include pros Anthony Shetler and Florida’s own Timmy Knuth as well as rookie pros Evan Mansolillo, Kevin Klemme and Billy Drowne.
Wednesday, January 8
Game of Skate at 1:00 PM
Thursday, January 9
Board Retailers Association Battle of the Bosses from 9:00-11:00 AM
Mini Ramp Jam at 12:00 PM
Surfboard Assembly for Children & Leaders in Third World Countries
Ride Nature – Booth 3214 (Surf)
Visit Ride Nature in booth 3214 to learn about the places they will be traveling in 2020, and help assemble a surfboard. You’ll also get a chance to write a note and short letter of encouragement for the child that will be receiving that board.
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING LABS
Tailored specifically for the watersports and beach lifestyle industries, the learning labs take place on “The Stage” as well as in lounges throughout the show.
Click here to view the complete schedule.
A few seminars of note:
Wednesday at 1:00 pm, The Learning Lounge, Booth 867
Women of Watersports – It Takes a Village
Successful women from the business side of the paddle industry will exchange ideas and views, share success stories, spotlight innovations and participate in the creative process.
Participants include:
Karen Vaccaro Marvin – Owner of Southshore Paddleboards, Babylon, NY
Sue Cooper – Owner of Lazy Dog, Key West, FL
Lily Colby – Owner MTI Live Jackets, Plymouth, MA
Paige Moore Bakhaus – Owner of Hooked on SUP, Englewood Beach, FL
Elizabeth Terrell – Co-Owner of Quickblade Paddles, Costa Mesa, CA
Thursday at 11:00 am, The Stab Cinema, Booth 3017
Surfing in the Olympics: Tapping into surfing’s debut in the Tokyo 2020 Games to increase traffic and sales
The sport of surfing will be featured on the largest competition and media stage in the world beginning in July 2020. And surf retailers can and should be looking at ways they can tap into this history-making event to build shopper spending and traffic in their stores, and on their social media and e-commerce sites.
Join SIMA executive director, Sean Smith, and USA Surfing Board member, Charlie Setzler, as they discuss how surf retailers can drive traffic and create unique promotions around surfing’s debut in the Olympics. Charlie is also the owner of Landmark Surf Co., a surf shop in Laguna Beach, Calif., giving him a very unique perspective on this topic that is sure to provide value to fellow retailers.
Thursday at 1:00 pm, The Learning Lounge – Booth 867
Legendary Shops that are Surviving and Thriving in Today’s Competitive Market
Owner/operators of several important industry retail stores will share success stories, creative ideas, strategies, and more.
Participants include:
Dave Cropper – Owner of Cinnamon Rainbows, Hampton NH
Tory Strange – Owner of Surf Station, St. Augustine, FL
Ryan Heavyside – Owner Nomad Surf Shop Boynton Beach, FL
Tom Hogan – Owner of Warm Winds, Narragansett, RI
Kim Ball – Owner of Hi-Tech, Maui, HI
Thursday at 4:00pm, The Learning Lounge – Booth 867
Board Retailers Association (BRA) Retailer Roundtable Open Forum Discussion Event
Board Specialty Retailers and Brands that truly care about retailers and the lifestyle are invited to participate in this open forum discussion centered around the issues impacting the industry. Hosted by BRA.
HAPPY HOURS and MEET AND GREETS
Havaianas
Wednesday, January 8 &
Thursday January 9
9:00 – 10:00 AM | Booth 2017
Enjoy Havaianas Acai Bowl Bar
Salty Crew
Wednesday, January 8
4:00 – 5:00 PM | Booth 2814
Damien Hobgood signing “Thrill Seekers and Risk Takers Movie Poster”
Reef
Wednesday, January 8
4:30 – 5:30 PM | Booth 2417
Reef Special Event: Between 2 Big Guns – Talk Story with Billy Kemper & Shane Dorian
Salty Crew
Wednesday, January 8
8:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Lafayettes
Salty Crew premiers its new film “Thrill Seekers & Risk Takers” after the show at Lafayettes Orlando. Lafayettes is located at 9101 International Drive, Suite 2220.
Surf Tech
Thursday, January 9
3:00 – 5:00 PM | Booth 604
Autograph signing with premier shapers including: Gerry Lopez, Marcio Zouvi, Hayden Cox, Carl Shaper and Steve Walden.
Guy Harvey
Thursday, January 9
4:45 PM – 5:45 PM | Boutique Lounge – Booth 1244
Guy Harvey Happy Hour and Meet and Greet with artist Guy Harvey.
4ocean Industry Mixer
4ocean Post Show Mixer Wednesday at 6 PM
Top of the Escalator, South Concourse
Join 4ocean, Surf Expo’s official recycling partner, for a beer and music from DJ Lance-O. Visit 4ocean in booth 1414.
East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame 2020 Induction Ceremony
Wednesday at 6 PM | Meeting Room S320A
The Induction Class of 2020 includes: Damien Hobgood, Bobby Owens, Bill Hartley and Adele Faba.
Body Glove Industry Party
Thursday at 6 PM
South Concourse by Registration
Live reggae from JAHFE, brews and good times with the Body Glove crew.
