SIA News 4.4
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REGISTER FOR THE SNOW SHOW & ON-SNOW DEMO FREE RIDE FEST TODAY
Now it is time to get into gear for the SIA Snow Show. Pre-register for the 2010 SIA Snow Show and On-Snow Demo/Free Ride Fest and receive your badges via FedEx before you get to Denver. Click here to register. Questions? Contact Pat Grenke, PGrenke@snowsports.org or Mary DeOrnellas, MDeornellas@snowsports.org. The pre-registration deadline is December 17, 2009. Don’t miss out on the chance to see your accounts face to face in your brand’s most authentic setting, network and strengthen relationships with everyone in snow and ski/ride with your retailers. REGISTER NOW. Rooms are booking up fast, click here to book your rooms today!
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CONGRATS TO THE WINNERS OF THE SIA U.S. AND CANADIAN SNOWSPORTS RETAILER OF THE YEAR AWARD
SnowSports Industries America (SIA) announces the winners of the 2009 SIA U.S. and Canadian SnowSports Retailer of the Year Award. This award recognizes those retailers in the snow sports industry that have successfully cultivated and furthered relationships with suppliers and reps to further sales of snow sports products.
The U.S. Retailer of the Year Award is presented to one retailer in each of the following seven regions. Nominations for this accolade will came from U.S. suppliers and reps in the snow sports industry.
| Region: |
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Winner: |
| U.S. |
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| North Central (IL/IN/MI/OH/WI/IA/KS/MN/MO/NE/ND/SD) |
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Viking Ski Shop – Mt. Prospect, IL* |
| Mountain (AZ/CO/ID/MT/NV/NM/UT/WY) |
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Outpost Sunsport -- Ft. Collins, CO |
| South Central (AL/KY/MS/TN/AR/LA/OK/TX) |
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Massey's Outfitters -- New Orleans, LA |
| New England (CT/ME/MA/NH/RI/VT) |
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Inverness Ski Shop -- Waitsfield, NH |
| Mid Atlantic (NJ/NY/PA/DE) |
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Pedigree Ski Shop – White Plains, NY |
| Southeast (FL/GA/MD/NC/SC/VA/WV/DC) |
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Ski Country Sports -- Banner Elk, NC |
| Pacific (CA/OR/WA/AK) |
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Berg's Ski & Snowboard Shop -- Eugene, OR |
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*also won in 2005 and 2006
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The Canadian Retailer of the Year Award is presented to one retailer in each of the following six regions. Nominations for this accolade will come from Canadian suppliers and reps in the snow sports industry.
| Region: |
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Winner: |
| CANADIAN |
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| Alberta |
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Out of Bounds Ski and Snowboard – Edmonton, AB |
| Atlantic |
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Aerobics First – Halifax, NS |
| BC |
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McCOOS – Whistler, BC |
| Manitoba/Saskatchewan |
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Sunshine & Ski – Saskatchewan |
| Ontario |
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Squire John's – Collingwood, ON |
| Quebec |
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Oberson – Laval, QC* |
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*also won in 2008
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This year awards will be presented during the 2010 SIA Snow Show in Denver, CO, January 28-31, 2009. Along with the award, each rep will receive a 1 year SIA Retailer Membership and a gift certificate to a Denver area restaurant valid during the Show.
Congratulations again to all our winners!
STRONG RELATIONSHIPS VITAL TO DO BETTER BUSINESS; ADVICE FROM JEFF BRAUN, ROCKIES REP OF THE YEAR WINNER
SnowSports Industries America (SIA) was proud to award Jeff Braun as the Rockies 2009 SIA U.S. SnowSports Regional Rep of the Year Award winner. Jeff took some time to discuss winning the award and gives his view on the industry and SIA.
After growing up in the Colorado and completing college at Montana State University in Bozeman, Jeff decided to move to Vail with two very important goals: skiing as much as possible and finding a career that would allow him to live in the mountains and enjoy the mountain lifestyle. Jeff was offered a job with Rossignol running their on-mountain test center facility and after a few years he was offered a position with Nordica as a Promotion/Tech Representative. The rest is history. Jeff now reps for Nordica and The Soze Group
SIA: Why are you in this industry?
Jeff: From a very young age, I have LOVED the sport of skiing and my winters have always revolved around skiing. When it came time to find a career, I figured it was best to find work doing something I really enjoyed. Do what you love, right?
SIA: What does winning the SIA Rep of the Year Award mean to you?
Jeff: To be acknowledged by my customers through this award is an incredible honor. To receive this award after the toughest season the ski industry has ever seen makes this award that much more meaningful to me.
SIA: What can retailers, suppliers and reps do to do better business?
Jeff: It is crucial that everybody works together to maintain strong business relationships. Retailers need to make sure they support the brands and reps that they trust and with whom they have forged strong partnerships with over the years. The role of the rep/vendor is changing, and now, it is about way more than simply selling. It is about doing all the little things to make sure that the products they are selling are successful in their stores.
SIA: What are your thoughts on the current state of the industry?
Jeff: The industry took a hit this past season, but I see a rebound. While it was pretty bad, I think it really could have been much worse. All early indicators are strong for a rebound. Customers have been coming back into the stores. The one positive I see is that most shops seem very clean with their inventory position.
SIA: What value do you see in SIA?
Jeff: I have always loved going to SIA. It is the one chance that we have as an industry to get together. I feel it is important for the retailer to see the corporate identity of their vendors. It is a completely different perspective than what a rep can do at a regional show. For me, SIA 2010 will be a blast. Having it in my home state will attract many of my retailers that could not make it to Vegas. I'm definitely looking forward to it!
SIA: How do you feel about the upcoming season? Predictions?
Jeff: It is going to snow A LOT and people are going to have a great time skiing and snowboarding.
Jeff lives in Eagle, Colorado (fully enjoying the mountain lifestyle!) with his wife, Christine and their two daughters, Zoe and Cleo.
Again, congratulations to all of the 2009 SIA U.S. SnowSports. Regional Reps of the Year award winners. This award recognizes those sales reps in the snow sports industry that have successfully cultivated and furthered relationships with the retailer to further sales of snow sports products. Click here to learn more about the recipients.
86 NEW EXHIBITORS FLOCK TO THE SIA SNOW SHOW
We are very excited to welcome our 86 new exhibitors! Some will be making their debut at the Snow Show and others will be returning exhibitors. The SIA Snow Show is all about seeing new products, trends and innovations and finding out what’s hot. It is also a time to celebrate and welcome new companies to the industry and see the growth and evolution of past companies.
“Besides loving the snow sport industry and wanting to be a part of it. The SIA show represents an exceptional group of dealers and exhibitors. I think being a part of the SIA group is a fantastic way to launch a new niche brand. My experience with SIA is that everyone is long time friends and acquaintances and if they get behind a new brand they are really helpful and instrumental in creating a great buzz around that brand. What more could a new company ask for?” Rhonda Swenson, President — With a Twist
Click here to check-out our new and returning exhibitors.
FIVE STATE GOVERNORS ISSUED PROCLAMATIONS DECLARING JANUARY LEARN A SNOW SPORT MONTH
Governors representing five states have issued proclamations citing their state’s involvement in Learn a Snow Sport Month and more are expected. Thirty-two states, five national associations (including SIA) and 15 state and regional resort associations are posting information about their learning programs during January 2010. Details are posted at LearnaSnowSport.org.
Governors who have already issued proclamations are David Patterson of New York, Gary Herbert of Utah, Bill Ritter of Colorado, Christine Gregoire of Washington and Ted Kulongoski of Oregon. Utah and New York’s governors offered proclamations last year which was the first year for the national effort.
Learn a Snow Sport Month encourages children and adults to try a snow sport if they never have done so and also encourage those already involved to try a new snow sport. Glen Plake is the national spokesperson for the initiative. Plake is known primarily as an extreme skier but he and his wife Kimberly spend a lot of time each winter visiting smaller resorts promoting the fun of snow sports and encouraging children and adults to take lessons.
The snow sports trade media including Ski, Skiing, Powder, Mountain Sports and Living, Snowboarder, Ski Area Management, OnTheSnow.com, nxt Concepts and liftopia are supporting Learn a Snow Sport Month with ads and announcements about the initiative. Questions, contact Mary Jo at MJTarallo@snowsports.org.
MORE THAN 50 WINTER TRAILS LOCATIONS ON BOARD FOR JANUARY 9, 2010 EVENT More than 50 locations in 20 states are on board for Winter Trails. The official date is January 9, 2010. Vermont leads the count with six events posted at WinterTrails.org. Updates are posted regularly. Currently, Colorado and New York have the second highest number with five. New Hampshire, Michigan and Montana each have four locations posted. Winter Trails hosts offer free snowshoeing or cross country skiing to those new to snow sports or current alpine skiers and snowboarders, who want to try a different snow sport. Winter Trails is part of the second annual Learn a Snow Sport Month promotion, an industry-wide effort to generate participation for snow sports.
Winter Trails events take place at Nordic Centers and on public lands operated by the National Park Service or the U.S. Forest Service. Nearly all are scheduled for January 9, 2010. The date for one of the largest Winter Trails events at Estes Park, Colorado, is January 16, 2010, to take advantage of the Winter Festival being held at Estes Park over Martin Luther King weekend.
Offers at venues vary because they all are hosted by individual organizations, groups or business operations. Locations typically waive any trail fee and provide basic equipment free. Some instruction is available. Winter Trails is managed by SIA in a partnership with the Cross Country Ski Areas Associations and the American Hiking Society.
Information about Winter Trails is available at WinterTrails.org or by contacting Reese@rdbevents.com or MJTarallo@snowsports.org.
ARE YOU IN TOUCH WITH YOUR SIA REGIONAL REPS? NEW CONTACT INFO
Keep in touch with your SIA Regional Sales and Marketing Managers. SIA is a member-owned association and we strive to work together with you to promote your company and the growth and development of snow sports. Your Regional Sales and Marketing Managers work for you and want to provide the best service possible. Contact them anytime with questions regarding SIA, SIA Research, the Snow Show, etc.
Eastern US + Canada
Ed Wray – 401.743.8089* (new phone number)
EWray@snowsports.org
Central US + Canada
Reddy Kennedy – 303.554.9154
RKennedy@snowsports.org
Western US + Canada
Dave Wray – 503.708.1947* (new phone number)
DWray@snowsports.org
*Note this is the only phone number. There are no longer two separate office and cell numbers.
THE WORD ON THE SLOPES
Keep SIA in the loop. Let us know about parties, events, new products, innovations, etc. Official News: After just one (very successful) year in business, Briko Srl of Romentino (NO) Italy has made a substantial commitment to the North American snow and bike markets by opening subsidiaries in both the US and Canada. Click here to read more…. DROP MFG® is proud to announce the addition of four new snowboarders to its global team including Heikki Sorsa, Romain de Marchi, Forest Bailey and Adam Dowell. Click here to learn more…. The Killy brand takes on the US market with renewed excitement under the direction of the Lafuma Group. Click here to read more.… Aspen-based Sport Obermeyer (Obermeyer) is pleased to announce the appointment of industry veteran Dan Tiegs as vice president of merchandising. Click here to read more… Spokane to Seattle - skiers and snowboarders had an early start to the 2009/10 season. Click here to learn more… Three adaptive skiers head up the largest class of inductees to enter the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame since 1984. Jack Benedick, Chris Waddell and Sarah Will are the first adaptive skiers to enter the Hall of Fame since the late Diana Golden was honored in 1997. Click here to read more…Spyder plans to debut a completely re-engineered speed suit for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics to be worn by the U.S. and Canadian teams. Click here to read more…Jeremy Bloom, one of the most decorated freestyle skiers in United States history and a two-sport athlete who also played in the National Football League, announced his official retirement from competitive skiing. Click here to read more….Skiinfo.com is reporting a dream start to the 2009-10 ski season for virtually every major ski region in the northern hemisphere, and although ski industry businesses are wary of tempting fate by even daring to hope of last year’s great snowfalls, especially in Europe, it’s hard not to be happy about all the new snow. Click here to read more…Steve Bellamy, Chairman and CEO of The Ski Channel announced today a long-term VOD distribution agreement with DISH Network, as well as numerous programming elements of the channel’s upcoming winter schedule. Click here to learn more….A Paralympic gold medalist, World Champion and World Cup overall titlist, Stephani Victor (sit-ski; Park City, UT) is the perfect example of what it means to overcome and achieve. It is her experience in the field that made her the perfect role model for Spirit Awakening, a charitable cause she actively participates in. Click here to read more….Nordic enthusiasts are invited to participate in some post-Thanksgiving workouts in Crested Butte, Colo. Click here to learn more…To help get the snowsports fanatics stoked, there will be a special showing of the film "The B", A Movie of EPIC Proportions. Burton at Vail will roll the film at their Arrabelle shop with the big screen set up just outside. Click here to read more….White Pass Ski Resort’s had the earliest opening in 15 years. Click here to read more…. Venture Snowboards and Ska Brewing are once again teaming up to welcome winter in style with their Fifth Annual Season Kickoff Party scheduled for Saturday, December 5th. Click here to read more…. Have you ever wanted to get up and belt it out in front of the entire snow industry? DJ for a crowd of snow enthusiasts? This may be your chance. Nikita is looking for three acts to fill three nights of entertainment during the 2010 SnowSports Industries of America (SIA) tradeshow in Denver, Colorado. Click here to learn more… Nordica USA announced that it has consolidated the sales team in California under the direction of long-time Southern California and Southern Nevada Nordica sales representative Keith Potter. Potter will assume responsibility for the territory from Roff Carter, who had previously been representing Nordica in Northern California. Click here to read more.
Send us your news, press releases and stories to PR@snowsports.org, SnowSports Industries America.
Please feel free to forward this message to anyone who is interested in the growth and further development of the snow sports industry, and continue to do your part. Let it Snow!
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