New Balance Athletic Shoe, K2, ASICS, Under Armour, and Horizon Fitness lead the list of committed exhibitors for next year’s SGMA Spring Market scheduled for June 11-13, 2007 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev. They join more than 80 leading brands already confirmed, including: Action Performance, Century Sporting Goods, Cramer Products, Franklin Sports, Gamenamics, InSport, Mueller Sports Medicine, Regent Sports, Riddell, Stamina Products, Upper Deck and Vital Apparel.

“SGMA established the Spring Market to directly address the changing needs of our members. Our goal is to provide a timely venue for specialty retailers and dealers to view new products in five areas – athletic footwear (running), performance apparel, spring team sports, fitness, and licensed products,” said SGMA President and CEO Tom Cove. “We are happy that with more than 12 months to its debut, the industry is clearly seeing the value of a targeted market opportunity.”

Rich Bourne, ASICS president, agrees: “ASICS views the SGMA Spring Market as the only event on the calendar that gives us the opportunity to showcase a full range of products, footwear, apparel and accessories.”

By bringing specialty retailers and dealers “to Market,” SGMA will greatly accelerate the return on investment for manufacturers who want to demonstrate their innovation and product performance.

More than a Trade Show

“In today’s trade show environment, the marketplace demands that we offer more than just the opportunity to promote new products,” explained Cove. “At SGMA’s Spring Market, we are committed to drive the exchange of cutting-edge knowledge and best practices to compliment the action on the floor.”

To underscore this value-add, SGMA has partnered with The SportsOneSource Group to present a running specialty retailer conference in conjunction with the Spring Market. The conference will focus on the specific needs of the running specialty retailer in areas such as retail best practices, merchandising, finance, and succession planning.

“The SportsOneSource Running Specialty Conference at Spring Market is designed to help inform and educate specialty retailers to better prepare them to succeed in the market,” said James Hartford, president and CEO of The SportsOneSource Group.

Hartford said the idea to time the conference to coincide with the SGMA Spring Market was a sound one. “We talk with vendors each day that service this sector and we’re confident this will enhance their business,” said Hartford. “By partnering with SGMA, we can focus on information delivery and education. Those running vendors that are exhibiting at the show will be able to conduct sales presentations following the conference.”

SGMA has also partnered with The SportsOneSource Group to present an investor conference on the second day (Tuesday, June 12) of the SGMA Spring Market. The conference will include presentations by many public companies serving the global sporting goods, athletic footwear, and athletic apparel markets. The one-day event will provide key company executives and Wall Street analysts, investors, and fund managers the opportunity to be on the show floor during an exciting first day and then schedule time to attend the presentations most important to their portfolio or focus.

“There's a real need to provide this platform so the sporting goods industry can present itself to Wall Street in a more comprehensive format,” said James Hartford, president and CEO of The SportsOneSource Group. “This is an exciting and very profitable sector to be invested in right now, exemplified by a number of very successful IPOs in our industry over the last two years. We must present these successful companies in a single format that best reflects the total opportunity for investment in the industry.”

The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, owner of the Sports Research Partnership, is the global business trade association of manufacturers, retailers, and marketers in the sports products industry. SGMA enhances industry vitality and fosters sports, fitness, and active lifestyle participation. More information about SGMA International can be found at www.SGMA.com.