Hola. It’s SIMA Surf Summit time again. This year the dates are May 11-14, 2011 at the Hola Grand Faro Resort (formerly the Crowne Plaza Resort & Spa) in San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico. All SIMA and BRA members are invited to the 14th running of this industry surf fest (hard to believe). If you don’t know what any of this means, just skip the rest. If you do, follow the jump for all the details.Greetings from Cabo! Registration Now Open for Surf Summit 14
– Deadline for Package 1 (including airfare) is March 15 –
ALISO VIEJO, CALIF. & WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. (March 7, 2011) – The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) and Board Retailers Association (BRA) are proud to announce that registration for Surf Summit 14 is now open to SIMA and BRA members. The surf industry’s most influential manufacturers and retailers will be gathering May 11 – 14, 2011, in San José del Cabo, Mexico at the Hola Grand Faro Resort, formerly known as the Crowne Plaza Resort and Spa.
“Following up on the initial success of unifying the annual SIMA and BRA conferences into one event last year, we look forward to partnering with BRA again for Surf Summit 14,” said Doug Palladini, SIMA President and Vans’ VP of Marketing. “One new component we are specifically excited about is the round-table experience. Attendees will connect on a higher level as they are divided into groups to sit together and discuss with their peers nine industry hot topics ranging from social media to retail consolidation. As the surf industry’s annual leadership conference, top retailers and manufacturers alike will beinspired and unified as one tribe during Surf Summit 14.”
Each year, Surf Summit attendees address important issues facing the surf industry, share ideas, network and help shape the future of the industry. The format for Surf Summit 14 will include surf sessions in the morning, educational seminars and roundtables in the afternoon, and attendee dinners and events at night. The conference will conclude the final night with dinner and the Closing Ceremonies on the beach.
Former world champ, and one of the most aggressive free-surfers ever, Martin “Pottz” Potter will emcee this special night. Pottz will sit and talk story with some of the world’s best surfers offering an intimate look into what makes these amazing athletes tick. Participating athletes will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Surf Summit is the most important event for our industry each year,” said D Nachnani of Coastal Edge and BRA Co-Chair. “It is the only format where the best of the industry executives can gather in a platform that allows for collaboration and education to flourish.”
As of press time, the scheduled Surf Summit 14 seminars and speakers will include:
Bill Walton // Executive Chairman, SDSI
Basketball legend Bill Walton will take the stage to talk about his experiences at UCLA and in the NBA and how he applies them to his new venture, SD Sport Innovators (SDSI). SDSI is a non-profit, business accelerating, trade organization that connects and drives the growth of Southern California’s vibrant sports economy by offering innovative programs and services for start ups, mature companies and service providers.
Jeff Yokoyama // Founder, Generic Youth
Maui & Sons, Pirate Surf and Modern Amusement are just a few of the brands Jeff has started. He’s an innovative designer and entrepreneur who has never approached business in a cookie-cutter way. Jeff will share his insights on creativity, apparel repurposing/recycling, emerging brands and the importance of entrepreneurship.
2010 Retail Distribution Study // Results Presented
Industry Roundtable Discussions // Attendees will be divided into multiple groups to
discuss nine different industry hot topics, such as emerging brands, brand and retail consolidation, product innovation and social media. Each roundtable discussion will be moderated by top industry pros and executives.
A full schedule of speakers will be available at www.sima.com and www.boardretailers <http://www.boardretailers> .org in the coming weeks.
“Retailers should take advantage of the BRA member discounted package rates in order to attend an unforgettable event that will bring long-term value to your business,” said Duke Edukas of Surfside Sports and BRA Co-Chair.
The deadline to register for Package 1 (includes airfare) is March 15, 2011. The registration deadline for Package 2 and 3 (does not include airfare) is April 1, 2011. Space is limited and on a first-come-first-served basis, with priority given to SIMA and BRA members.
For more event information, please visit www.sima.com/surfsummit.aspx <http://www.sima.com/surfsummit.aspx> or SIMA members can contact Shannon Park at Shannon@sima.com <mailto:Shannon@sima.com> and BRA members can contact Elizabeth Peavy at Elizabeth@boardretailers.org.
ABOUT SIMA
The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is the official working trade association of more than 300 surf industry suppliers. Founded in 1989, SIMA is a non-profit organization that serves to promote awareness of the surf industry and participation in the sport of surfing through public relationsefforts and a variety of services, educational programs and research. In addition, SIMA actively supports oceanic environmental efforts through its 501(c)(3) charitable environmental foundation, the SIMA Environmental Fund. In the past 21 years, SIMA’s Environmental Fund has raised more than $5.4 million for environmental groups seeking to protect the world’s oceans, beaches andwaves. The SIMA Humanitarian Fund, also a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, was established to award grants to various surf or boardsport related social and humanitarian non-profit organizations whose efforts are focused on improving the quality of life, health and/or welfare of people. Liquid Nation Ball serves as the annual fundraising event for the SIMA Humanitarian Fund, and since 2004 has raised and donated more than $1.45 million to surf-related non-profit humanitarian organizations. For more information regarding SIMA, please visit www.sima.com. Follow SIMA at Twitter.com/SIMA_SURF.
ABOUT BRA
The Board Retailers Association (BRA) is a non-profit trade association representing more than 600 action sport retailers in the surf, skate, snow,wake, kite and wind industry with almost 3,000 storefronts across the country. Under the direction of BRA’s east coast and west coast co-chairs and a board of directors, the association serves as the preeminent voice for independent retailers on a grassroots level with manufacturers, trade show representatives, and other associations. The Board Retailers Association works to provide educational resources and exclusive discounts to help lower the day-to-day costs of business. BRA Retail Members receive industry research and statistics, financial forms and worksheets, legal advice, and sourcing solutions. For more information on BRA and for a complete description of Retail Membership benefits, visit www.boardretailers.org.
