latest stories
 
Beach Décor Grows Up

As beach lovers age, turning a house into a coastal home has become a stylish décor choice thousands are flocking to.
08/20/2008

ISM Community And Surf Expo Present: Sk8ology An Art Deck Collective

More than 170 artists from the fine art and skateboard communities have generously contributed their talents to the largest ever original art on skateboard decks showing.
08/20/2008

A Few Minutes With Michael Brooke

Concrete Wave’s owner and publisher weighs in on the health of the niche skateboarding market, the luxury of choice, and Slap magazine going Web only.
08/14/2008

The Best Sellers Of 2008

Which items were selling best at boardsport retail stores during the first half of this year? The ActionWatch Retail Panel reveals the top sellers in fourteen categories -- items that kept the register ringing all year. Were you carrying the right assortment?
08/13/2008

Top Ten Tips for Successful Exhibiting

Wondering how to plan your exhibit program to maximize your show results? Candy Adams, aka the "Booth Mom," lays it out in ten simple tips everyone can follow.
08/13/2008

Boothmanship 101

Successful communication -- both verbal and non-verbal -- with attendees at a trade show isn't just helpful, it's fundamental to your entire sales effort.
08/13/2008

How to Select and Train Your Booth Staff

Somehow show logistics hog our time and resources, and when it comes to staff training, it gets buried in a pile of undone “to-do’s”. But nothing pays off in qualified leads and positive company image as well as a well-trained staff!
08/13/2008

Catching Up With Float Designs

After making its Southeast debut at Surf Expo in January of this year, a lot has been happening at Float Designs. We caught up with owner Ramona Senese for an update.
08/11/2008

Seminar Schedule For Surf Expo September 2008

Hone in on the tactics and skillsets needed to move your business forward during Surf Expo's full roster of educational marketing, merchandising, and industry overview seminars.
08/06/2008

Ray Underhill, 1962-2008

Widely respected and much-liked pro skater Ray Underhill dies after a long and courageous battle with a brain tumor. Here is a message from his friends and family
08/05/2008



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Travels With Fish: Rehoboth, Delaware

Aloha from Rehoboth, Delaware! No surf here today; only a couple of paddle boarders out. The beach is packed, though, and the weather is perfect!

Quiet Storm
Quiet Storm is open for business and the store is full right now. I met Store Manager Karen Collins as well as Daniel Steele and Britt Werner. They’re a friendly bunch. Juniors is the story in this town, too. Skate shoes are slow, but sandals are up – it is summer you know. RVCA and Hurley top the cool-brand list along with Billy and Quiksilver.



Sierra Moon
Down the street from Quiet Storm is Sierra Moon. Andy Gitaitis tells me, “The tourists are here and they are spending money. Business is only slightly down but we could make that up with one good weekend. We can’t complain at all.”

Men’s boardshorts are helping keep the sales strong and juniors dresses are hot, hot. Roxy, Volcom, and Billabong are the brands to focus on in this store. Skate sales are climbing too – the volume is in standard-length decks, but the longboards are selling fast. You gotta love the cruisers!

Dewey Beach

I ran down to Dewey Beach and stopped by the DB Surf Shop and chatted with Casi Invernizzi. Business has really picked since July 4th. The surf’s been down, so skim sales are good here. T-shirts sales seem slow, but it may be an issue with volume. Baggies and dresses are huge. Men’s apparel has been really strong overall. Shrink has been the main issue facing the store this summer.



Liquid
I sat down with Mike Ridings, one of the owners of Liquid: Surf, Skate, and Snow and store manager Matt Ruther. The store opened May ’07, and they’re still tweaking the matrix. “We strayed a bit from the big brands this year, but we plan to move back to the top five,” says Ridings. Business is down around fifteen percent and Mike says it’s due to the shorter trips tourists are making this season. “They’re doing the quick three-day vacation instead of the week-long stay.”

While surfboard sales are slow, skate has been absolutely rocking! The empty racks prove this point as Mike waits for the reorders to flow in. Sector 9 is leading the way. Like a broken record, junior sales are strong—let’s hear it for the gals! Boardshorts are also holding their own. Brands on the top are Lucy Love, Hurley, Rip Curl, and DaKine bags. To promote the biz Mike and his partner Derek Shockro are working hard to drive folks to Liquid. They’ve got a huge fall preview fashion show coming up on July 24. It will feature both men’s and juniors fashions along with a step show and music by DJ Amaze. In August they have an art, music and movies festival and partnership with Best Buy. This is really cool: they put video cameras in the kids hands and them send them off to make movies. Then the kids use software with help from the Geek Squad at Best Buy to edit, and the winner’s movie opens the event. How fun is that?

Liquid is a cool store with a cool vibe. I love the wood work throughout, the couches to chill on, and the big screen. Stop by and see what these guys are coming up with next.

Thanks for riding shot-gun with me on this trip! I said it would be a hoot! Saw a lot of old friends and made even more new ones. Check back for updates on my travels and don't forget about my blog. Who knows, maybe I'll be in your town soon!

See you in September and don't hesitate to call me or drop me an e-mail with any questions about Surf Expo, registration for the show or just to chat. Thanks for all you do and for keeping the stoke alive!

Ciao for now, kids!


Mahalo,


fish

Author: Sean Obrien
 
 
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  press releases
 

Loop’d Network Kicks Off Action Sports ‘Sponsorship Season’ By Asking: “Are you Sponsorable?”

Campaign to Drive Connection, Gear, and Support between Athletes and Brands through Sponsorship.
08/20/2008

Snoloha Inks European Distribution Deal

Snoloha, still an infant in the U.S. market, finalizes a licensing deal that will introduce the brand into Europe.
08/20/2008

Ernst & Young Names Skullcandy CEO Entrepreneur Of The Year

Rick Alden, CEO and Founder of Skullcandy, named 2008 regional Entrepreneur of the Year.
08/20/2008

Nathaniel Curran Wins 6-Star Sooruz Lacanua Pro

WQS ratings leader moves one step closer to ASP World Tour qualification.
08/20/2008

Team Nautique Wins Big At 2008 Wakeboard And Water Ski Nationals

Team Nautique athletes had impressive performances at the Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard Nationals, the 66th GOODE Water Ski Nationals, the Canadian Wakeboard Championships and the Canadian Water Ski Nationals.
08/20/2008

Surf Expo Named “Best Overall" Web Site By The Society of Independent Show Organizers

surfexpo.com has been named “Best Overall" Web site by the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO), The Jordan Edmiston Group, and Tradeshow Week.
08/15/2008

Rip Curl Brings 4 icons, 2 World Champions On East Coast Tour

From New York to Florida, Mick Fanning, Tom Curren, Taylor Knox, and Pancho Sullivan will be making appearances at select surf accounts, select surf locations, and select nighttime venues during Rip Curl's East Coast Tour.
08/15/2008

New AWSI Directors Announced

AWSI would like to announce its new executive directors: Katie Crafts for Windsurfing and Tonia Farman for Kiteboarding.
08/15/2008

Nautique’s Own Mindy Bates Wins Water Ski Tricks National Championship!

Yesterday, at the 2008 US National Water Ski Championships, Mindy Bates took first place in the Women’s 2 Trick category with a score of 3390 points.
08/15/2008

Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge Returns To North Side Of Huntington Beach Pier

Coinciding with Surf City USA’s centennial celebration, the city has permitted Katin to stage the legendary event at its historical home, January 20 to 24, 2009.
08/15/2008

Fishin’ Chix Prepare Baytowne Marina Docks for Fishing Rodeo Series

Pink rubber boots and sequined tank tops aren’t exactly what you would expect to see at a typical fishing tournament, but there isn’t much about the Fishin’ Chix that is typical.
08/15/2008

Skullcandy Announces Key Executive Appointments

Skullcandy announces the addition of five industry leaders -- Luke Edgar, Todd Finney, Tom Brady, Clarke Miyasaki and Chris Cooper -- to its executive team, reinforcing the company’s strategic focus on the core and specialty markets.
08/14/2008



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