Show News

X Marks The Spot At Surf Expo

There's a lot that's new at the world's largest boardsports and beach lifestyle trade show.

Posted 1/8/2013

Not to pat ourselves on the back, but Surf Expo keeps getting better. Last January saw the best-attended show in seven years. Buyers were stoked and sellers were in a better mood. The industry trade magazines proclaimed that business was back. All was right in the world again.

The Surf Expo train kept rolling at our September show, with retailer and exhibitor attendance rivaling our best shows ever. So what does the January 2013 have in store?

First, get ready for a giant show. Exhibitor demand is so great we've expanded the show into both the North and South halls of the Orange County Convention center, with show entrances off International Drive and Universal Drive.

We're also debuting a new floor plan and an entirely new look. With diagonal aisles leading to a central museum feature, shaping competition and East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame gallery, it's true that "X Marks The Spot" for Surf Expo January 2013.

Besides all the resort apparel and accessories you can handle, as well as presenting the definitive leaders in boardsports and water-related hardgoods, two new categories will make their January debut at Surf Expo: Consumables and Lifestyle.

Consumables are a great addition to your shop and includes food, fuel and fun. This trending category is all about energy, hydration, and protecting the environment and includes specialty food, sweets, drinks and all the things that hold them. On-the-go snacks are a fast-growing class of product in the action sports, outdoor, resort and the souvenir markets.

Our Lifestyle section will feature the latest from contemporary fashion brands designed to separate your shop from the neighbor down the block. Featured in a dedicated section adjacent to the Surf and Skate categories, Lifestyle offers a juried collection of product ranging from men's and women's apparel, fashion accessories and footwear.

There is so much more to discover at Surf Expo January 2013, including a new fashion show stage, new educational seminars, new SUP pool, the 6th annual Florida Shape Off competition, and Team Pain skate contest. It’s all happening under one roof at Surf Expo.

EVENTS NOT TO MISS

Happy HourTime: Thursday and Friday, January 10 & 11, 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Location: Top of the escalators
Before heading off to dinner or a night on the town, join us for free drinks, entertainment and appetizers.

6th Annual Florida Shapeoff
Time: Thursday, January 10th and Friday, January 11th.
Location: Center Of The Show
The 6th Annual Florida Shape Off will be a tribute to David “Davo” Dedrick who passed away in 2011. Watch as leading shapers, including Tom Neilson, Stu Sharpe, Allen White, Lanier Shepard, and more, each do their best to recreate a Derick classic.

Fashion Shows
Time: Daily at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (1:00 p.m. on Saturday)
Location: The Stage
Get a quick look at new styles from leading boardsport and resort companies at our completely new fashion shows at Surf Expo.

TESTIMONIALS

Dave Nunn // Windance Boardshop // Hood River, Oregon
"As always I was busier than a kid in a candy store. I had appointments every hour on the hour for the first day and a half. Then I gave myself some much needed time to look around and explore."

Danny & Robert // Kitesurfari // Santa Monica, California
"Surf Expo was an amazing experience! We were completely unprepared for the vast number of things to look at. We did well meeting with most of our vendors and getting a solid look at the 2013 product line."

Casey Fleming // Director of Sales // Rusty
"The first goal is to be where the retailers are. That's why we are here."

Robert Oswell // President CEO // Roswell
"Surf Expo exceeded my expectations. We've been really impressed with it. A lot of international guys from all over the world come to Surf Expo: Sweden, Brazil, South America, Japan. We've also been impressed with the amount of exposure we've received within our industry from the other boat companies and magazine writers—it's a good place for brand awareness."

Gus Cawley // U.S. Creative Director // Rhythm
"Surf Expo continues to provide the perfect platform for us to connect and reconnect with retailers, media, and other supporters of the industry from this side of the country."

Matt Radich // General Manager // Active Water Sports
"I was really impressed with the breadth of vendors. We saw so much that we had never been introduced to before. I really believe it was a great value to our new buyer."

Linda Crouch // National Sales Manager // Seafolly
"Since our parent company is based in Australia, I am always delighted to inform them of the great turnout we have at the Surf Expo. Not only do we come prepared with preset appointments, the amount of new business was overwhelming!"

Lewis Abercrombie // Marketing // Prana
"Surf Expo is definitely the place to be if you want to get in front of surf, skate, swim and resort customers. In terms of show management, we found Surf Expo to be very well organized and effectively promoted. All in all, a fantastic show."

Matthew Jung // CEO // Wellen
"Surf Expo was amazing! We met with a ton of really awesome shops that seemed to really embrace Wellen. It was the first show we've been at where we have written orders every single day of the show and left with paper."

Wells Bartlett and Wenlee Fei // Owners // Feifish
"The energy and atmosphere of this show is second to none and most important, great buyers come from everywhere. The Surf Expo is a trade show done right."

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