Last year The Crossroads Trade Show seemed like a reaction. It was a response to damage (real and/or perceived) that the Action Sports Retail show had done to the skateboarding business and the Crossroads was seen as a salve, an antidote, maybe even a correction. But in 2009 the Crossroads, held in the back parking lot of Jamie Thomas’ Blackbox Distribution on the eastern edge of Carlsbad, California seems to have grown into its own.
Today there wasn’t as much talk about the trade show wars. Instead most discussions centered around the brands, the products, and how good it was to see old friends. It is the gathering of skateboarding business. And while talk of the economy came up during the day, it was more out of optimism for the future than worry about the past.
Being a bigger show helps. “The event has grown quite a bit,” said founder Jamie Thomas. “It’s almost double of what it was last year. There are over 100 brands and we’re doing two days. I think tomorrow will be even bigger.”
Rolling around the booths, however, it was tough not to compare The Crossroads to what we’ll all see on Thursday when ASR kicks off in a corner of the San Diego Convention Center. It’s is nice to be able to walk in without waiting in line. Or skateboard in front of a booth in peace or do pretty much anything else without anyone telling you to stop, or leave, or ask to see your badge. And that in itself is reason enough to love it.
The idea of an alternative tradeshow to ASR is a good one… but why bring in the stripper pole, balloon titty element to a skateboarding “sales” show? Tough to see much difference between that and all the ASR skin shows. Aren’t there a few women working in the skateboarding industry? Any respect there?
And it’s especially classy when kids are allowed into the “strip joint.”
^^^^HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
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