Total attendance numbers at Surf Expo for its August 2009 show were nearly 15% off from September
08, but overall store count remained on par – which continues the trend
seen in January 2009 when stores brought less staff to the show. As a result of buyer input, Surf Expo will move its show dates next year to September 10-12, 2010.
“Our full-time buyer relations team worked hard to bring retailers from
all areas of the country to the show,” said Show Director Roy Turner. “For some retailers
the pre-Labor Day dates proved difficult. Despite that reality, 5,200
qualified buyers (actual buyers, not media or guests) attended Surf
Expo August 2009.These buyers represented 2,294 stores from 40 states
and 55 countries.”
“Post-show surveys from our retailers who attended – as well that those
who were not able to attend – overwhelmingly indicate a preference for
dates immediately following Labor Day,” says Turner.
Nonetheless, some exhibitors and attendees were pleased with the show.
“There's no question this show provided value for the La Jolla Group,” says CEO Toby Bost. “We were flat out busy attending to retailers in need of our support. Our entire team of executives spent valuable face to face time with a number of core and major East Coast accounts. It was good to see retailers out in numbers with high spirits and expectations for surf apparel leading into Spring 2010. Bottom-line, the expenditures were manageable, we focused on product line showings, and wasted no time building our business.”
“We have been exhibiting at the Surf Expo twice a year for 14 years and this was by far the best show we have ever had,” says Trent Wentz of Witz Sport Cases. “The retailers that were there were ready to work. We doubled our orders from last year – which was a pretty good show as well.”
The August show reflected the excitement of the market with several
add-ons to the show, including a very well-received indoor wake rail
jam, the 6th Annual Wake Awards, and a demo featuring top pro skaters.
The BRA Retailer Survivor Series attracted 80 retailers for a full day
of in-depth education and information sharing. The on-floor seminars
during the show were received with packed audiences.
The next Surf Expo will be January 14-16, 2010 in Orlando's Orange County Convention Center.
With headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, Surf Expo, a division of dmg world media.
