After crunching 2012 Snow Show pre-registration, early hotel bookings and booth space commitments, SnowSports Industries America (SIA) staff is seeing numbers that are trending higher than previous years. With retailer pre-registration up considerably, including an 14% increase in retail shops that haven’t attended the Show in the past, expanded exhibit space increasing about 11,000 square feet from last year, a solid seminar line-up, industry events, parties and the On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest at Winter Park/Devil’s Thumb Ranch– the Show is shaping up to draw a record crowd.


“We’re certainly encouraged by retailer pre-registration plus hotel bookings are up and expected to sell out this year. I think the earlier commitment by retailers can be somewhat attributed to the early snow fall we’ve already witnessed and last year’s record sales – buyers are really eager to get back to the Show, see new products and replenish inventories,” commented David Ingemie, SIA’s president.


The 2012 SIA Snow Show is scheduled for Jan. 26-29 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver and expects to draw over 19,000 attendees including snow sports suppliers, retailers, reps, athletes and professionals from across the globe. The Snow Show, which sold out in booth space last June, will feature over 900 snow sports brands throughout over 330,000 square feet of exhibit space including 96 new exhibitors, which are brand new to the Show or returning after taking a hiatus.


“The Snow Show is the only place to see all the lines, and I mean ALL the lines, in ski and snowboard,” said Lisa Hollenbeck, co-Owner & VP, Alpine Shop in St. Louis, MO..The energy of the industry is more than the sum of the parts. This is the best place to find the cool new stuff that I won’t see closer to home.”


Just some examples of the Snow Show’s can’t-miss events will include the return of the Snow Fashion & Trends Show on Thursday, Jan. 26th with an encore performance from the RAMP IT UP male models working the catwalk in women’s winter fashions, all in the name of raising funds for the Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition (OIWC).


Daily Happy Hours will also be on tap starting at 5PM each day in the Colorado Ski Country USA Central Lodge & Food Court. Plus, 686, Malakye and SIA are bringing back the successful RECLAIM Project, where three aspiring outerwear designers will compete to win over a panel of industry veterans in this 72 hour design challenge. And back by popular demand, the ShmoozaPalooza job fair, presented by Malakye.com will give anyone interested in joining the industry the chance to meet with company reps on the lookout for fresh talent.


“The SIA Snow Show is the only North American trade show where Burton will showcase our entire 2013 line,” said Clark Gundlach, SVP of North American Sales, Burton. “Every snowboard, every binding, every boot, every softgoods piece, every bag, every colorway, every new technology – it's only at SIA. And now that the Show is in Denver, not only can you see the entire 2013 Burton line, you can also ride it at the SIA On-Snow Demo.”


For a third year, following the Show, the industry will pack-up and head out to the On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest (Jan. 30-31) at Winter Park Resort and Devil’s Thumb Ranch. The On-Snow Demo is also showing growth with hotels being nearly sold-out and pre-registration trending ahead of last year with a 36% increase in retail shops that will attend the Demo for the first time. During the two-day event, snow sports retailers and media test out gear and accessories they just previewed at the Show including ski, snowboard, Nordic, AT, telemark and backcountry products while other attendees get time on snow and hang with industry friends during parties, gatherings and events hosted by SIA.


The alpine/snowboard/AT/backcountry portion, held at Winter Park will host the Uphill/Downhill Challenge, Office Booyz & Girlz Competition, 2 Mile High BBQ at the Sunspot and of course après happy hours around the Winter Park Village on Monday.


“I love riding with the retailers at the demo, especially ones I've never had a chance to meet face-to-face. It's the one time we all can get together, do business and discuss last year’s successes and concerns and have a little bit of fun at the same time — since we sell fun we need to keep it fun,” Mike “Gags” Gagliardi, Snow Sales Manager, Never Summer Industries.


The Demo’s Nordic portion, held at Devil’s Thumb Ranch, will be bigger and better this year. Nordic buyers will be greeted with an opening reception and presentation on Sunday, January 28th. There will also be nightly après parties, seminars and events among the beautifully groomed Nordic trails and amazing surroundings of Devil’s Thumb Ranch.


“Loved connecting with all the people. Loved demoing all the skis. Trying everything. The venue is superb. Really good to try the different skis and see the price points. We’re small, yet the investment to come here was totally worth it!” MaryLou Lowrie, Rangeley Lakes Trails Center, Maine.


The On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest is hosted in-conjunction with the Western Winter Sports Reps Association’s (WWSRA) Rocky Mountain Demo and in partnership with Cross Country Ski Areas Association (CCSAA).