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 show is endorsed by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association, the Board Retailers Association, the Water Sports Industry Association and the Association of Wind Sport Industries and attracts exhibitors from the surf, wake, SUP, skate, kite/wind, lifestyle, swim and souvenir industries.

 

“Buyer attendance was up 14 percent compared to last September’s show and even eclipsed our record-breaking January 2013 show by four percent,” says Show Director Roy Turner. “More buyers than ever before put their trust in Surf Expo to offer the most diverse array of product categories and brands under one roof.”

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.”