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Surf Summit 14
Each year, questions and other important issues facing the surf industry are addressed at the surf industry's annual conference, Surf Summit, held in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The goal of the four-day, three-night Surf Summit is to learn, share ideas, network and help shape the future of the surf industry.
This year, BRA is joining forces with SIMA to co-present Surf Summit 14, which will result in one event that will truly encompass and showcase the entire surf industry. With a larger manufacturer and retailer presence and a stronger representation of the industry's top leaders, Surf Summit 14 will be a more complete union of the tribe.
Surf Summit attracts more than 400 attendees consisting of key players from the main surf brands and retail shops each year. Attendees include CEOs, presidents, VPs of marketing and sales, surf retailers and more from a broad spectrum of SIMA members, BRA members and surf industry companies.
At past Surf Summits, attendees pack the seminar rooms each day, and there is never a shortage of social surfing and networking time!
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 be inspired 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."
The scheduled Surf Summit 14 seminars and speakers will include:
Baratunde Thurston - Digital Director for The Onion (www.theonion.com)
In his talk titled "Winning at Social Media," Thurston will provide several case studies of creative, effective social media campaigns. Whether it involves his personification of the Swine Flu on Twitter, campaigning for a Foursquare mayorship or managing the digital outreach for two Onion television shows, Baratunde will demonstrate how to be effective and creative on these new, high-engagement, interactive platforms. Ample time will be left for Q&A, so please, do the assigned reading ahead of time.
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.
Kit Yarrow - Consumer Psychologist
From involvement through social media, to symbolic messaging that matters, there are new opportunities for marketers - and new rules. And they all start with psychology. Attendees will learn about seven key shifts in the psychology of today's consumers and the five new rules of marketing that capitalize on these shifts. Peppered with case examples and up-to-the minute research, this eye-opening presentation will leave participants with the tools and insights they'll need to understand and adapt to the minds, hearts and motivations of today's dramatically different consumers.
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
After a day of interesting speakers and presentations, the second day of learning will be interactive and allow you to discuss important issues with fellow attendees at roundtables. Surf Summit 14 roundtable topics will include:
Branding In-Store: From POP to fixtures to windows; How to resonate in key accounts
The Changing Value of Independent Wholesale: Remaining competitive in a multi-channel world
What Really Drives Business?: From product innovation to marketing to price, what matters most?
Reinventing the Surf Girl: Where has our juniors business gone astray and how do we win girls back?
The New Era of Discounting: Groupon, BOGO, Web Scan, loyalty programs; The good and bad of promotional sales
Customer Service: Social media platforms have changed everything. How do we stay ahead of consumers?
West Coast Trade Shows: What is their value to our business today and how do we keep them relevant?
Product Innovation:How can brands know what consumers want and how can retailers help in the communication process to consumers?
Upstart Brands: Why should established brands care, how does an upstart gain momentum and how do retailers know who they should make room for?
Sustainability vs. Economy: Will the economy continue to dictate the industry's commitment to sustainability or is it a work in progress?
On the final night of the leadership conference, what better way to close out Surf Summit 14 than an evening on the beach filled with inspiration from the heroes of our sport? Former world champ, and one of the most aggressive free-surfers ever, Martin "Pottz" Potter will again emcee this special night. Pottz will sit and talk story with some of the world's best surfers, including one of the youngest surfers to ever win Pipe Masters and all around charger, Jamie O'Brien; fearless big wave surfer and free-diver Mark Healey; and as the first woman to ever grace the cover of Surfer Magazine, four time world champion and women's surfing legend Lisa Andersen. The night will offer an intimate look into what makes these amazing athletes tick.
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.
"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.
Surf Summit 14 Sponsors
Premier Sponsors:
Supporting Sponsor:
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 3,500 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.
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 relations efforts 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 and waves. 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.