Industry News

Surf Shop to move from September to August for 2009..

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 18 November, 2008 : - - Brintex, organiser of UK trade boardsports event Surf Shop, has announced that Surf Shop 2009 will take place Tuesday 18th – Wednesday 19th August 2009, at Westpoint, Exeter, moving earlier in the season, and to a two day rather than three day event.

The decision to move earlier in the season is the result of extensive research amongst brands and buyers, and will make it possible for more exhibitors to take part in the show, and for the organisers to deliver a wider choice of established and new brands for buyers to choose from.  

The new dateline will also remove the problems created by the traditional clash with ASR dates and back to school, and as many suppliers are increasingly required to work to tighter and earlier deadlines, will maintain Surf Shop’s well deserved reputation as a strong buying show.

Late night opening: Evidence from attendance records and visitor research from the past two years shows that buyers in the boardsports sector would prefer not to leave their stores at the weekend, and that Tuesday and Wednesday are overwhelmingly the preferred days to attend Surf Shop.

The 2009 show will therefore be held over two days, with a late night opening on the first day of the show to make it easier for local retailers to visit the show after the day’s trading, and prior to the first night show party in central Exeter, where they can join other buyers and exhibitors for a laid back night of networking.

Building on features for the future: The 2008 show saw new features at Surf Shop, including an indoor skate ramp and street-skate zone, and artworks around the show. These will be developed further for 2009 (the skate ramp moves outside the hall), and the organisers are looking at new ideas to showcase new product.

Longer build time: The new dateline also makes it possible to extend the build days of the show – exhibition build days are now extended to two days, which will make preparing for the event substantially easier for exhibitors with large own-build stands.

VIP Buyer packages: The traditional VIP buyer packages for nominated retailers, including accommodation and tickets to the first night party will remain, as a central part of the extensive marketing campaign for the event.

Commenting on the new developments Show Director Lucy McPhail said: “These changes are designed to help both brands and buyers get what they need. Suppliers are obliged to secure orders increasingly early, and buyers need to see both their regular suppliers and exciting new product in one place.

“Conventional wisdom had it that boardsports buyers wouldn’t leave their stores during the holiday period, but the research found that Surf Shop is too important to them to miss this key buying date in the diary, particularly for buyers coming from some distance, such as those from London, the North, and Channel Island and Irish-based retailers.”

Peter Caldwell of The Watersports Company (Reef) said: “ Surf Shop is the main event for summer boardsports in the UK, and has always been a great order-writing show for us. The new format and dateline are a definite improvement in terms of our selling timelines”

Brian Stark, Boardwise says of Surf Shop: “It’s always a great show, to come down and visit key suppliers in a mellow yet business-orientated environment. It’s a place where you can write orders without rushing around or clock watching”

www.surfshopexpo.com

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Catherine Warren

Industry - Surfersvillage