The Board of Directors for SnowSports Industries America (SIA) today  announced a shift in SIA Snow Show dates to an earlier mid-January time slot beginning  in 2013. The Snow Show will begin on Saturday, Jan.  12th and run through Tuesday, Jan. 15th at the  Colorado Convention Center in Denver. The On-Snow Demo will follow  the Show at Winter Park Resort and Devil’s Thumb Ranch on Jan. 16-17.


In  2014, the SIA Snow Show will follow the same mid-January pattern and begin on  Saturday Jan. 11th through Tuesday, Jan. 14th followed by the  On-Snow Demo on Jan. 15th and 16th.   This mid-January/Saturday start will be used for all future Snow Show  dates. SIA will be working closely with buying groups,  regional rep associations and retailer associations to make this transition as  smooth as possible.


The  Board’s decision came after analysis of the industry’s current buy/sell cycle, changing  production lead times, as well as date conflicts with major holidays and trade events  including an overlap with ISPO beginning in 2012 and Winter X Games.  Given all of the factors and constituencies SIA’s  Board had to consider, the goal was to provide Show dates that would benefit  the majority of the industry.
 
“In 2002, the SIA Snow Show was moved from March to January with the goal of creating a national show to kick off the buy/sell cycle where retailers  could truly ‘See it, Try it, Buy It’.  With the increase in private line previews, regional and national trade shows,  the Board of Directors felt the Show needed to adjust to changes in the  marketplace,” commented David Ingemie, SIA’s president.


Beyond  making the SIA Snow Show the national trade event, the Board is optimistic the earlier  Show dates will also:



  • Recognize the globalization of product manufacturing, which  requires earlier production and delivery times ensuring on-time delivery to retailers and ultimately consumers
  • Avoid schedule conflicts with international, national and regional  shows.  The Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, for instance, is held the third week of January.
  • Ensure the success of members with U.S. headquarters attending both  SIA and ISPO shows — both essential to the growth of their business

For  2012, the SIA Snow Show dates will continue with the Show’s previous end-of-January  timing on Jan. 26-29 at the Colorado Convention Center  in Denver, Colorado followed by the On-Snow Demo at Winter Park and Devil’s  Thumb Ranch on Jan. 30-31.