The SIA.08 SnowSports Trade Show will begin on Tuesday, January 29 and end on Friday, February 1. In addition, the SIA.08 Show will be the final stop on the proverbial January trade show circuit, which includes national/international shows such as Action Sports Retailer Show (ASR), ISPO, Surf Expo and Outdoor Retailer Winter Market.
Show producers for each of these major trade shows are aware of the reshuffling of dates for the upcoming trade show season and in one situation a complete date overlap. ISPO winter dates are set for January 27-30, 2008. Dates for ISPO winter must avoid the European holiday of Fasching; while the SIA.08 dates must factor in the Dr. Martin Luther King holiday weekend. At a meeting at ISPO winter in Munich this past February, executives from both SIA and ISPO looked at all possibilities to try to alleviate the date conflict for next year.
SIA and ISPO commented jointly that, “we regret the hardship the 2008 date overlap will present for some exhibitors and retailers, but acknowledge that we looked at all possibilities and the holiday schedule would not permit a date change.” Since 2002, SIA has scheduled the opening of its show for the Monday following the Dr. Martin Luther King holiday.
In an effort to avoid additional date overlaps, SIA has allowed for extra days between the 2008 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, January 23-26, 2008. SIA.08 will begin on a Tuesday to address this situation and accommodate the SMC/SSL Winter Market that precedes the SIA Show every year.
