Just look at all those sweaty balls and stinking trade show feet!
The SIA Snow Show kicked off in Denver, Colorado yesterday with snowy streets, a warm convention center, and the omnipresent smells of weed (Okay, we’re guessing on that last part. We thought we’d be able to smell it from here, but we can’t.) The Western states may not know it, but according to the SIA’s RetailTrak report for the August through December 2013 period, the industry set a new sales record of $2.2 billion at retail. So we’ve got that going for us. We’re also guessing that local marijuana merchants will experience similar sales spikes this weekend. What other news did you miss if you weren’t there? A little Olympic fever, it seems:
The Show kicked off with a special “Sendoff to Sochi” Opening Ceremony led by Doug Lewis, 1984 &1988 Olympian and Alpine Analyst for Universal Sports. Lewis named team members and revealed the official uniforms for the U.S. Alpine, Freestyle, Freeski and Snowboarding teams developed by Spyder, Columbia, The North Face and Burton. . . “The relationship between SIA and USSA is really pivotal to the success of our athletes,” said Tom Kelly, Vice President Communications, USSA. “USSA athletes could not accomplishment their goals without the support we get from the industry and the companies that supply us with ski, snowboards, outerwear and uniforms,” . . The Opening Ceremony also included video messages from athletes to the industry, thanking them for their support and encouragement. Officials from the city of Denver, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association (USSA), SIA Board Members and industry leaders took to the stage to officially ring in the Snow Show with cowbells. To wrap things up, Klaus Obermeyer added his signature yodel, which he’s done at the end of the Snow Show for over 30 years.
Sounds to inviting. Doesn’t it? While we continue to man the controls, click the links below for up-to-the minute coverage from all the poor saps who had to make the dreary trudge to Denver from one more year from the SIA fun zone:
Yobeat’s Justin Leveille Buys Weed And Hits The Show
Snowboard Magazine’s Day 1
Transworld Snowboarding’s Day 1
Snowboarder’s Day 1
Transworld Business’s Day 1
And, you’re correct. GrindMedia is paying not one, not two, but three separate editorial crews to follow each other around talking to the same people, shooting the same photos, and drinking the same beer in Denver. Occasionally we do pine for the days of big media redundancy! For the official word from the SIA, follow the jump.Industry in High Spirits at 2014 SIA Snow Show Thanks to Record Sales, Wintery Conditions and Approaching Olympics
DENVER, COLO. (Jan. 30, 2014) – As the industry gathers in Denver this week for the annual 2014 SIA Snow Show (Jan. 30 – Feb 2), many have recounted the severe cold and snow they left behind in their respective parts of the country. Though severe drought in the Sierra and Cascade mountain ranges tempered the celebration, the recent SIA RetailTrak™ report for August-December indicated a new record of $2.2 billion in snow sports retail sales.
“The snow in Breckenridge has been good-20 inches this morning! We got in last night so luckily we didn’t have to blow through it,” said Greta Schoonover, researching for a new store she’s opening in Breckenridge, CO.
“It’s been fabulous this year – we’ve had a lot of cold weather, a lot of snow. We’re considerably up from last year. As long as we keep the cold weather coming we’ll be in good shape,” said Bob Thomas, Skier’s Peak, Bloomfield Hills, MI.
Winter weather, strong retail sales, SIA’s 60th Anniversary and the upcoming Winter Games were all reasons to celebrate on Day One of the Show.
The Show kicked off with a special “Sendoff to Sochi” Opening Ceremony led by Doug Lewis, 1984 &1988 Olympian and Alpine Analyst for Universal Sports. Lewis named team members and revealed the official uniforms for the U.S. Alpine, Freestyle, Freeski and Snowboarding teams developed by Spyder, Columbia, The North Face and Burton.
“The relationship between SIA and USSA is really pivotal to the success of our athletes,” said Tom Kelly, Vice President Communications, USSA. “USSA athletes could not accomplishment their goals without the support we get from the industry and the companies that supply us with ski, snowboards, outerwear and uniforms,”
The Opening Ceremony also included video messages from athletes to the industry, thanking them for their support and encouragement. Officials from the city of Denver, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association (USSA), SIA Board Members and industry leaders took to the stage to officially ring in the Snow Show with cowbells. To wrap things up, Klaus Obermeyer added his signature yodel, which he’s done at the end of the Snow Show for over 30 years.
“After twenty-five years of involvement with the U. S. Alpine Ski Team, we never take for granted the opportunity to share with the world our unique perspective on technical apparel and design. And the race suit – directly inspired by the Star Spangled Banner – exemplifies our heritage, technical expertise and love of country,” J.J. Collier, SVP of Product and Design, Spyder Active Sports.
Attendees will see camera crews from Universal Sports Network roaming the aisles today as they tape interviews for their one-hour TV show 2014 SIA Snow Show. Set to air on Saturday, February 8, at 7PM (EST) and hosted by Craig Hummer and Doug and Kelley Lewis, 2014 SIA Snow Show will feature the latest trends, innovations, product lines and fashion from the Show floor.
This evening, Show attendees will have plenty of entertainment options throughout Denver. At 6PM, SIA is hosting a special screening of the critically acclaimed documentary THE CRASH REEL. Kevin Pearce and his brother Adam will both be on hand to take questions from the audience following the movie.
SIA/SOS Hockey Shootout will also go down tonight at the Pepsi Center following the Colorado Avalanche/Minnesota Wild game. The ultra competitive Shootout game benefiting SOS Outreach, will feature snowboard/ski industry heads from U.S. and Canada, plus NHL alumni ready to square off before the Show.
For 24/7 updates on all things 2014 Snow Show, check back on SIAsnowshow.com and SIA’s Latest and follow SIA on Twitter and Facebook. We’ll be sending highlights before and during the Show to keep you in the know. Use #SIA14 and #SIA14Demo to join the conversation.
Member-owned, industry-inspired and dedicated exclusively to snow sports, the 2014 SIA Snow Show is scheduled for January 30-February 2, 2014 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver followed by the On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest at Colorado’s Copper Mountain Resort from February 3-4, 2014. For more information, updates, registration for the 2014 SIA Snow Show, visit SIAsnowshow.com. Exhibiting companies’ top 14/15 products are available to review in the Sneak Peak + New Product Directory at SIAsnowshow.com/sneakpeak.
Comments on this entry are closed.