by Board Retailers Association | Jan 14, 2022 | Community, Industry, News, Resources, Snowboard, Trade Shows
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, California – Outdoor Retailer Snow Show returns to Denver this month with a full schedule of in-person education and a redesigned floor plan structured around The Resource Center, a new information hub to access industry insight directly from experts. Snow Show runs from January 26-28, 2022, at the Colorado Convention Center, and the education lineup and floor plan are now available to help attendees start planning their schedules. “A wealth of resources and learning opportunities are available at Snow Show,” said Marisa Nicholson, Outdoor Retailer Senior Vice President and Show Director. “The new Resource Center will give attendees direct access to critical data, and every education session and new connection can provide the right insight or inspiration to help elevate business. This time together to learn and build relationships is invaluable, and it paves the way to discover more of what the industry has to offer.” Education at Outdoor Retailer brings together industry leaders and subject matter experts to provide attendees with knowledge that can help their business and the industry thrive. The schedule begins with the Snowsports Industries America (SIA) Industry + Intelligence sessions on Tuesday, January 25, the day prior to the opening of Snow Show. The Industry Breakfast kicks off Day 1 with a keynote on “The Art of Impossible” from bestselling author and peak performance expert Steven Kotler. Outdoor Industry Association’s (OIA) daily lunch sessions will feature important community conversations. And programming throughout Snow Show at The Camp and Trend + Design Center will offer retailers, designers, brands, and all attendees an opportunity to learn more on a variety of topics, including design trends, sustainability and climate...
by Board Retailers Association | Jan 11, 2022 | Manufacturing, Retail History, Surf, Trade Shows
If your surfboard doesn’t dent up a little bit, it’s not a good thing. Photo: Rusty Surfboards/Instagram Editor’s Note: This feature was made possible by our friends at Rusty Surfboards. Like a fine pair of shoes, new boards need to dent up a bit. They need to get broken in. If a board doesn’t, chances are it doesn’t flex. And that would not be good. In the early 1970s, companies offered up composite boards. Aqua Jet, Hansen, W.A.V.E. and more. They leaked and had other issues. Founded in Santa Cruz in the mid-nineties by shaper Randy French, Surftech made a very strong, light board. Composite construction. At first it was long boards. Then in the early 2000s, they started getting a few shortboards from various shapers. Several major builders jumped in around 2003. I felt it was a viable construction. Excellent for beginners and weekend warriors. I did have some issues with the boards because they were made overseas in Thailand, but I signed up. Several of our best sellers. Early 2005. The lead time was approximately nine months. Blank Monday. December 5, 2005. Clark Foam shut its doors. No warning; just a fax coming through at about 11 a.m. Less than a month later we were at the Orlando Surf Expo. Arguably the biggest. We agreed to let Surftech show our models in its booth. Conspiracy theories ran amuck. It was just timing and good luck? Polyurethane foam was next to impossible to get. I had built EPS boards in the mid eighties, primarily for a wave pool contest put on by the then-ASP. It was in 1985 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It was...
by Board Retailers Association | Jan 7, 2022 | Awards, Community, Industry, Surf, Trade Shows
Photo: Mez/ESM The East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame inducted its esteemed class of 2021 yesterday in a ceremony at Surf Expo in Florida. A star-studded class featuring world champs, matriarchs, shapers and media moguls. Congratulations to all those who’s names are now etched in history. East Coast Surfing Hall Of Fame class of 2021: Jeannie Chesser, Bill Hixon, CJ Hobood, Chris Lundy, Danny Melhado, Kristy Murphy, John Parton, Eric Penny, Kathy Philips (Cecil Lear President’s Award), Matt Walker (Media), Spyder Wright (Legends). Learn more Coast Surfing Hall of Fame by clicking this link: https://eastcoastsurfinghalloffame.org We, at Board Retailers Association, love the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center (SHACC). We absolutely appreciate the entire staff for everything that they do to preserve the remarkable culture and history of Surfing and to promote surf shops. BRA would like to sincerely thank Glenn (former SHACC Executive Director) and the epic staff at Surfing Heritage and Culture Center for hosting the BRA Retailer Roundtable Event in November 2019 as well as each of the Supporting Event Partners including Solite Boots, Exchange Collective, Locally, Action Watch and Sambazon. Board specialty retailers from throughout Southern California and beyond as well as board sport related manufacturers and trade organizations participated in this open forum solutions-oriented discussion about the issues and opportunities facing our industry today and in the future. – Doug Works, BRA Executive Director If you are a board specialty retailer interested in either Regular or Distinguished BRA Retail Membership, please complete this super simple join...
by Board Retailers Association | Dec 27, 2021 | Educational Opportunity, HR, Industry, Resources, Retail Strategy, Statistics, Trade Shows
Once per Quarter, Board Retailers Association hosts relevant and helpful webinars on a variety of topics in collaboration with BRA Supporting Vendor Partner Management One. You can view all four of these excellent collaborative quarterly webinars below. “5 Things You Need To Know Before Black Friday” (4th Quarter 2021 Collaborative BRA + M1 Webinar) As we begin to plan for 2022, retailers need to focus NOW on key areas in their business to set the stage for success through the holidays and into next year. Without a doubt, the holiday season will be quite different than last year for both retailers and consumers, so how can you prepare for the unknown? From year-end tax strategies to digital marketing and supply chain moves, retailers will have their hands full in Q4 trying to navigate the challenges. It can be easy to lose sight of what is MOST important and impactful before the new year begins. Our live Q&A includes Paul Erickson of Management One and Doug Works of BRA speaking with Jeff Plattman of CohnReznick, one of the nation’s largest accounting, tax and business advisory firms, to get an informed perspective on how successful retailers need to plan their year-end to be set up for 2022. Push play to view this important 4th Quarter collaborative BRA + M1 webinar “BRA Retailer Roundtable Panel Discussion at Surf Expo – Sept. 2021” (3rd Quarter 2021 Collaborative BRA + M1 Webinar) Concerns about the delta variant contributed to store traffic declines in July, combined with some signs that consumer confidence is wavering. The outlook for business in Q4 is nowhere near certain. In this Board...
by Board Retailers Association | Sep 7, 2021 | Educational Opportunity, Industry, Kiteboard, News, Resources, Retail Strategy, Skateboard, SUP, Surf, Trade Shows, Wake Skate, Wake Surf, Wakeboard, Women's Market
Surf Expo is the largest and longest running watersports and beach lifestyle tradeshow in the world. Since 1976, retailers from around the globe have relied on Surf Expo to identify new trends, new brands, and to get business done. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this vibrant, award winning marketplace! Surf Expo is excited to welcome our board specialty retailers back to forge new relationships and celebrate old ones with Vendors and each other. The Surf team is committed to creating an event experience at the Orange County Convention Center’s West Concourse where their customers, partners and employees can safely and effectively conduct business. Show Dates: September 9th through 11th, 2021 (Waterfest Sept. 8th)Location: Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse, Orlando, FL | View Map Show Hours: Thursday & Friday: 9 am to 6 pmSaturday: 9 am to 4 pm Register for the Show: Click HereMake Your Hotel Reservation: Click HereTo view the Exhibitor List: Click Here BRA Specific Events at Surf Expo: BRA Retailer Roundtable Panel Discussion on The Stage (Thursday, Sept. 9th at 2 pm). BRA Retailer Gathering/ Happy Hour in The Neighborhood Lounge (Thursday, Sept. 9th at 4:30 pm). HEALTH + SAFETY GUIDELINES AT SURF EXPO Updated: August 27, 2021 In line with CDC guidelines, everyone is required to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status while at the show and all show functions (this includes the show floor and registration areas). Masks will also be provided at the event if needed. Surf Expo is excited to welcome our buyers and vendors back to forge new relationships and celebrate old ones. Our team is committed to creating an event experience...
by Board Retailers Association | Feb 3, 2021 | Industry, Resources, Trade Shows
Outdoor Retailer Winter Online is just getting started. While Summit Days have passed, the digital marketplace remains active and education is ongoing through March 19. There’s a lot of time to schedule meetings, find new products for your store, and make new connections in the outdoor community. Once you’re registered, everything is accessible in one place. Build your profile and start exploring. It’s not too late to register for free – click HERE to log on. Here’s a few tips to help you make the most of the Winter Online experience. Tips for Attendees Tune in to education live or on demand. If you were in your shop or on a Zoom call during a session, you didn’t miss a thing. Every session and event hosted during Winter Online remains available to watch when and where you want. Click the Education & Events tab to scroll through daily listings or use the search function to filter by topic. Past sessions will auto-play and add upcoming education to your schedule. Take time to listen and learn. The education lineup has featured incredible speakers and impactful conversations that have the ability to help your business, this community, and our planet. Sessions available to watch on demand include the Industry Breakfast, SIA’s Industry + Intelligence day, the OIA education tracks, and discussions with The Conservation Alliance and Camber Outdoors; trend and consumer reports with the NPD Group, WGSN, and InMouv; and gear previews. There’s also yoga, the third annual Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards and the 16th annual Backcountry Film Festival. More education is on the way this month, and all can be...
