Surf Expo September 2013 hosted more buyers than any show in its 37-year history, which organizes said confirmed the how’s position as the global destination for boardsports and beach lifestyle retailers. More than 8,000 buyers from 50 states and 69 countries converged on the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL Sept. 6-8, setting an all-time attendance record for the 37-year-old tradeshow.
The overall attendance of the September show topped 27,000, an 11 percent increase compared to the 2012 September show. This is particularly noteworthy since the September 2011 and 2012 shows were both named among the “25 Fastest-Growing” tradeshows in the United States by Trade Show News Network
The show featured more exhibitors, brands and lines than the previous September show, and saw an increase of over 10 percent in new brands exhibiting at the show, offering a buyers a strong selection of fresh new product options.
“This show has been the single best tradeshow we've ever had,” said Freewaters President John Vance. “It was a combination of the quality of the buyers that we saw and the consistency of our booth being busy.”
According to Bruce Cromartie, owner of BC Surf and Sport, “This was another great show. Surf Expo is running such a well-oiled machine.”