Skate Trade Show Overload?

by The Editors on December 7, 2009

Tradeshowlock

On Friday December 5, 2009 Agenda co-founder Aaron Levant and The Berrics co-founder Steve Berra announced (not without some hyperbole) a “revolutionary partnership” in which a “brand new section dedicated to skateboard brands” would be added to the January 8-9, 2009 Agenda Show in Huntington Beach. Agenda promised to “travel and accommodations” to all 61 shops listed on the Berrics Unified skate shop listing.

Then this morning (December 7, 2009), Blackbox Distribution owner Jamie Thomas announced (not without some hyperbole) a press release in which the Crossroads Retail Show and ASR have teamed up to present the “ultimate skate focused retail show” which will be added to the February 3-4, 2009 ASR Show only it will be held outside in the parking lot of Petco Park. Without promising “travel and accommodations” Crossroads is “committed to making sure that 100 of the nation’s key retailers. And what do you know, “space is limited.”

We have to wonder what happens to the entire trade show business model when they have to pay retailers to attend. Lord knows retailers need to be treated well these days, but it still seems to bring us back to the question that’s been plaguing the boardsports business for several years: are trade shows even relevant anymore?

Follow the jump for both press releases.

[Editors’ Note: Turns no one said Jamie’s press release was “all-encompassing statement.” We have removed the erroneously attributed quote from the above post.]
Agenda and The Berrics have joined forces, forging a revolutionary partnership.

Presenting THE BERRICS AGENDA.

Having already built one of the strongest and most respected tradeshows in action sports, and street wear, The Agenda Tradeshow is further integrating the skateboard industry in a unique partnership with The Berrics.

Come January, The Agenda Tradeshow will feature a brand new section dedicated to skateboard brands, entitled THE BERRICS AGENDA. “We can’t imagine a better partner in this expansion. Our intention has always been to make the skateboard industry top priority at Agenda and this opportunity furthers that intention. The Berrics exemplify what we strive for.” said Agenda President Aaron Levant.

Steve Berra and Eric Koston’s legendary institution recently implemented an innovative advertising and branding program called the Berrics Unified (www.berricsunified.com), which caters specifically to regional independent and “mom and pop” core skate shops. By having a profile in The Berrics Unified and through geo-targeted banner advertising on their highly trafficked website (www.theberrics.com), independent skate shops can now advertise specifically to customers in their region. In an attempt to level the retail playing field, the Berrics Unified program provides the “little guy” a unique relationship with theberrics.com and it’s loyal web following.

In an extension of the program, THE BERRICS AGENDA will host representatives from 61 Berrics Unified retailers, providing travel and accommodations to The Agenda Tradeshow. This opportunity is especially valuable in this strained economy as smaller retailers may not be able to justify the expense of traveling to tradeshows. With the Agenda/Berrics partnership, the Unified retailers are now afforded the opportunity to focus their advertising on the most influential website in skateboarding and interact with their industry partners twice a year at the most exciting and progressive tradeshow in the United States.

“We’re extremely happy to provide The Berrics Unified Shops the opportunity to come out to The Berrics Agenda show and give many of them not only a break from the cold weather, but cap it off with a night of food, fun and skateboarding at the Berrics. We believe this further demonstrates both The Berrics and Agenda’s commitment to the success of skate shops all over the country.” says Berrics Co-Founder Steve Berra.

The Berrics Agenda will debut in Huntington Beach California January 8-9.

About the Agenda Tradeshow:

The Agenda Trade Show is a forum for the most inspired in the street wear and action sports industries to unite. Lines speak for themselves and buyers are not intimidated by the usual overwhelming tradeshow experience. From the garage-run lines on the verge of explosion, to the well-established elite, Agenda caters to the needs of buyers and brands that exist on a higher level of design and aesthetic. With a strong emphasis in style, art, music and culture, the Agenda experience is as much a lesson as it is a tool.

www.agendashow.com

About The Berrics:

The Berrics is the brainchild of Steve Berra and close friend and fellow pro skater Eric Koston. Together, they created The Berrics, a private skatepark named after the duo (Berra + Eric = Berrics.) This “training facility,” located in Los Angeles, gained notoriety as being the skateboarder’s “Studio 54”. The Berrics website documents the activities of both top professionals and amateurs who visit the facility, turning those visits into daily content and giving skateboarders worldwide a peek behind the curtain. The Berrics generates the highest traffic levels of any skateboarding related website in the world.

www.theberrics.com and www.berricsunified.com

_________________________________________________________________

February 3rd and 4th, 2010, San Diego, CA
Crossroads Retail Show

With the goal to better service exhibitors and retailers, Crossroads has teamed up with ASR to present the ultimate skate focused retail show.
The February 2010 show will be held on February 3rd and 4th in the PETCO parking lot adjacent from the San Diego convention center in downtown San Diego.

The layout and style of the event will be the same as previous shows yet the accessibility and convenience of the location and dates will guarantee higher attendance from retailers and distributors.

With the support of ASR, Crossroads is committed to making sure that 100 of the nation’s key retailers will be in attendance at the event.

As Crossroads remains a parking lot show, booth fees and set up regulations will be the same as previous shows and as always there will be free food, skateboarding and a best trick contest for all to enjoy.

Please contact Jeff Dickson to reserve your booth space.
jeff@crossroads-show.com
760-585-6409

{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

Carl December 7, 2009 at 9:23 am

re: your last question. No. Girl hasn’t gone to a tradeshow in 10 years.

Jack December 7, 2009 at 12:13 pm

Skateboarding’s “Studio 54”? That explains a lot.

JamRoc December 7, 2009 at 2:16 pm

Seems like trade shows will be relevant if they constantly adapt to the demands of the retailers, which is exactly what both shows are doing. why is everyone trying to turn this out to be such a “war of the trade shows?”
Seems like people that have been saying, “trade shows are irrelevant” are still being proven wrong and they’re bummed about it. I’m personally excited for both, what’s the problem?

misquote December 11, 2009 at 11:25 am

It didn’t say that Thomas’ quote was an all-encompassing statement. That was in a note explaining that news covering all three events at ASR Access was to come. We all enjoy the critical eye Boardistan offers, but not when it’s a misquote.

The Editors December 11, 2009 at 11:34 am

Miss Quote is absolutely correct. We misread the intro to the ASR/Crossroads press release. The post has been corrected to eliminate that error.

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