The heart of the U.S. snow sports industry is out West, so its leading trade organization should be, too.
That’s the sentiment from new SnowSports Industries America (SIA) President Nick Sargent, who on Thursday announced that the group would move from its current home in McLean, VA (part of the Washington D.C. metro area) to one of “two snow industry hubs” out West. While Sargent did not name the two locations, observers suspect the Salt Lake City and Denver metro areas are the likely two candidates.
SIA holds its annual trade show in Denver and has ties with the Park City resort community outside Salt Lake City.
SIA President Nick Sargent
“In a move that will bring the snow industry’s member owned trade organization west, snow sports will be better served by SIA’s close proximity to partner brands, likeminded organizations … and the winter sports environment we all live for,” Sargent said. “With either selection, we look forward to chairlift meetings with many of you this coming season.”
Some, but not all of SIA’s existing staff will be relocating with the move, officials said, and SIA will likely sell its owned headquarter real estate for a nice profit in the booming Washington D.C. area.
“The organization owes a great deal of gratitude for the dedication and commitment that the staff has shown to not only SIA, but snow sports as a whole,” Sargent said. “More than 60 years of leadership and care for the industry has built a foundation that will undoubtedly usher SIA into its next chapter, in a new home.”
The decision is another big shakeup for SIA since Sargent’s arrival in early 2016. Right off the bat, having taken over for retiring president David Ingemie, Sargent faced backlash for the organization’s decision to move the SIA Snow Show dates up nearly two months to December. After speaking with stakeholders, Sargent and SIA reneged on the decision, pulling the dates back to late January for 2017 and 2018.
Lead photo by Jahla Seppanen; Nick Sargent photo courtesy SIA
