By: Minna Casser

SnowSports Industries America

May 8, 2013

In October, Hurricane Sandy devastated the East Coast – taking lives, homes, businesses and belongings from thousands of families. With the snow sports industry looking for ways to help, SIA partnered with K.I.D.S. (Kids In Distressed Situations) to create the New Year, New Start Sand Relief program. More than 5,000 lbs. of donations were collected through the program from SIA members, industry retailers, and sales reps.

K.I.D.S. will be distributing winter apparel and sneakers at two separate events in New York this month. The first event, “Winter in May” will take place this Friday, May 10, 2013 at The Far Rockaway Community Library where K.I.D.S. will be distributing winter apparel.

Next Tuesday, May 14, 2013 K.I.D.S. will be holding an “All In” Skateboard Event with refreshments, music, dancing, and a sneaker giveaway at Queens Library for Teens.

Thanks to everyone for their help with the New Year, New Start Sandy Relief Program!

By Suzy Chaffee on Sun, 21 Apr 2013

Photo Credit: SAKHI ZACK

ARTICLE: The National Ski Areas Association’s NRDC study said that Colorado and Utah would be losing its snow by the end of the century unless there is an intervention – the East likely earlier. Fortunately, a consensus of the UN’s 192 countries in 2012 identified the key to regenerating Earth: a combination of science/green energy and Ancient Wisdom, especially through the tribes.

Since the Ancient Wisdom part of the intervention is affordable for any ski area, (family or community) our Native American Olympic Team Foundation (NAOTF) helped launch a series of Gratitude Snowdances across America with a handful of trendsetters who wanted to join the bandwagon to help ensure their grandchildren can still enjoy our beloved snow sports.

Thanks to those U.N. countries recognizing in 2009 that Mother Earth is a phenomenally wise, compassionate, sensitive being, and thanks to tribal Elders leading these ceremonies, a lot more people understand that She responds even more generously than people when we give Her appreciation. The intervention tour is lighting the way of how everyone can make a difference in turning around 2012’s worst U.S. drought and warmest temperatures in history by simply saying “Thank you Mother Earth when it snows or rains.”  The tribes remind us that we all have earth-honoring ancestors and how we can extend snow for the kids.

Photo Credit: Deanne Kessler

Read more HERE.

Article is Copr. © by Suzy Chaffee, and originally published on eNewsChannels.com – all commercial and reprint rights reserved. Contact Suzy at: Suzynativevoices@aol.com, or http://naotf.org/ .

By: SIA’s Communications & PR Manager, Elizabeth Hurst
April 22, 2013

As sad as I am to put my skis in storage at the season’s end, I feel refreshed by spring. Sprigs of green appearing practically out of thin air make me appreciate how resilient our planet is and how dependent we are on it for life. Anything we can do to protect the environment is a step in the right direction no matter how big or small.

I learned a lot about effective green initiatives over the past month preparing for Earth Day and the green issue of the SIA newsletter. I was particularly impressed by the Colorado Convention Center, home of the SIA Snow Show. Did you know that the CCC is the first EVER environmentally sustainable meetings facility? On top of that, the CCC’s solar panels offset 280 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year and the venue recycles 250 tons of meetings materials.

I also didn’t realize that Centerplate, the CCC catering service, has a more than 5,000 square foot Blue Bear garden supplying thousands of pounds of produce annually. Honey from the beehive and produce from 150 plant varieties infuses a lot of locally sourced dishes into menus around the CCC. SIA’s winter crowd misses out on much of the Blue Bear’s bounty, but attendees can cash in on the Colorado Green Chili, pickled peppers, salsas and pesto made from the garden’s summer abundance of basil.

Use this Earth Day to celebrate every major and minor environmental victory that impacts our lives- we’re surrounded by them. Keeping the green spirit of Earth Day all year will safeguard the environment we love and our keep our winters white.

The SportsOneSource Group  2013 SGB 40 Under 40 Class  has been released, recognizing persons from the sporting goods industry for making a difference in their businesses and the market. For more information please see the SGB announcement HERE.

We are excited to congratulate a number of our members (listed in blue), including SIA Board Member Eric Tung, on being 2013 honorees!

• Aimee Arana, Category Sales Director – Action Sports, Nike Inc
• Tim Bantle, Director of Apparel, Black Diamond Equipment
• Simon Bonham, CEO, Hi-Tec Sports USA
• Jackie Brown, Active Lifestyle Category Business Director, Merrell
• TJ Ciaravino, VP Sales and Marketing, Worldwide Sport Supply
• Kris Dahlgren, President, Dahlgren Footwear Company
• Scott Daley, Head Of Classics, Reebok International
• Matt DiLorenzo, CEO, TYR Sport Inc.
• Mike Etienne, Merchandise Manager, Turners Outdoorsman
• Louise Formby, President, Tiedman & Formby Vintage Athletic Co.
• Antonio Gray, Apparel Buyer, DTLR
• Greg Greenberg, President/GMM    ESCO Ltd., Shoe City
• Damien Huang, SVP Design and Merchandising, Eddie Bauer
• Salym Hunter, VP Footwear Development, DC Shoes
• Mark Ish, SVP Sales & Marketing, Trigger Point Performance
• Vanessa Walton Keefe, VP Marketing, Charles River Apparel
• Paul Labarbera, Teva Design Director, Deckers Outdoors
• Jules Lambert, President, Probar, LLC
• Janica Lane, Partner, Partnership Capital Growth
• Bridgit Lombard, EVP, Penguin Brands, Inc.
• Marc Misiewicz, Senior Key Account Manager, Brooks Sports
• David Mosse, Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel, Dick’s Sporting Goods
• Charles Murray, Footwear Buyer, Hibbett Sports
• Daniel Near, Director of Consumer Products Licensing, National Hockey League
• Marisa Nicholson, Sales Manager, Nielsen/Outdoor Retailer
• Kyle Orme, DMM Sporting Goods, Meijer, Inc.
• Brian Phillips, VP Business Development, Big Rock Sports, LLC
• Carey Platto, Director Outdoor Footwear, The North Face
• Joey Pointer, CFO, Fleet Feet Sports, LLC
• Ian Pund, Associate, W.L. Gore & Associates
• Dani Reiss, President & CEO, Canada Goose, Inc.
• Doug Smiley, Business Unit Manager – Running Footwear, Mizuno
• Laura St. George, VP Sales, Gared
• Joe Suboticki, Kids Footwear Buyer, Champs Sports
• I Ling Thompson, VP Marketing and Communications, Outdoor Industry Association
• Colin True, Account Manager, Polartec
• Eric Tung, President, Fera International Corp.
• Melissa Valentine, Manager Business Development, Franklin Retail Solutions
• Katie Wagner, Wholesale Channel Director – Americas, Crocs Footwear
• Ze’ev Feig, CEO & Founder, Zensah

The 2013 honorees will be featured in the May issue of SGB magazine.

Minna Casser

March 7, 2013

While the rest of the DC Beltway hunkered down for Wednesday’s Snowquester, SIA’s Elizabeth Hurst and I were enjoying a beautiful powder day at Seven Springs Mountain Resort with Winter Divas, a snow sports industry focus group that brings real women together to test product and write reviews. The day kicked off with a flurry of snow,  chatting with the local Divas over coffee and doughnuts and learning about the women’s skis we were about to demo from the K2 Skis rep, Dave Crosswaite and the Nordica USA, rep Austin Randall. It was the last Winter Diva demo of the season and a warm welcome for SIA.

Once everyone was full of coffee and specs we buckled our boots and jumped on the chair. Jessica, a Winter Diva from Willi’s Ski and Snowboard Shop, took Elizabeth and me on a few of her favorite runs. Between 10a and 2p we demoed every ski available, from K2 Skis’ Superstitious to Nordica’s Hells Belles.

K2 Skis Rep Dave Gets Elizabeth Hurst and Minna Casser Ready to Hit the Slopes on their Women's Superglide Skis

At the end of the day, the Winter Divas met at the K2 tent for a “tailgate” with snacks and libations before an energized product raffle where the most coveted prize was the chance to test K2 skis.

The group was sad that this would be the last on-snow Winter Divas of the season and were already excited about their warm-weather gatherings. Many boasted a perfect Winter Divas attendance, having made it every Wednesday since the first week of January.

This season, the Divas gave useful feedback to Kjerstin of Willi’s Ski and Snowboard Shop about the lack of women’s helmets in large sizes. Kjerstin put their feedback into action and added a couple  larger models to their stores and plan to buy the large in all colors for next season. Brands that have hosted Winter Diva demos can use reviews written by the Divas on their websites and to help assess how they can to improve future products.

Thanks again to all the Winter Divas, Willi’s Ski and Snowboard Shop, K2 Skis, Nordica USA, and Seven Springs for including SIA in such a great day!

SIA's Elizabeth Hurst and Minna Casser with the Winter Divas at Seven Springs

By: SIA
December 21, 2012

In light of Canada’s National Snow Industries Association (NSIA) recent announcement of ceasing operations and closing down its Montreal-based trade show, SnowSports Industries America (SIA) announced today they will be using the consulting services of Jean-Marc Blais as the organization’s “ambassador” to the Canadian snow sports community.

Blais will focus his efforts on communicating and collaborating with the Canadian snow sports industry and facilitating next steps with SIA. Jean-Marc will begin by reaching out to Canadian industry members and collecting feedback to help SIA understand their current needs and opinions.  Results from this polling will be presented at the SIA Snow Show in Denver (January 31- February 3, 2013) and used as a guide for future collaborations with SIA.

Jean-Marc began his career in snow sports in 1979 as a ski club operator in Québec and continued on as a ski school director and PSIA Level 4 ski instructor, CEO of Skier International Tour Company, Publisher of Ski Press Media & Ski Press World Daily News, Publisher of the SIA Show Daily and CEO of Mag-e digital magazines.

“This is a wonderful opportunity and I’m looking forward to assisting the Canadian market get the most out of both the Snow Show and all the benefits available through SIA,” commented Blais.

Jean-Marc will begin his work with SIA immediately; reaching out to the Canadian retailers, manufacturers, sales reps, and media regarding events scheduled for the upcoming SIA Snow Show.

For more information on SIA’s Canadian Programs, please contact Jean-Marc Blais at: JMBlais@snowsports.org or 514-993-3121.

We hope you have a beautiful holiday spent with friends, family, and a little snow! Thank you for being part of such a passionate, supportive community that makes the snow sports industry persevere through each winter.

Our office has been full of excitement with our staff bringing in treats and donating to the Salvation Army Angel Tree Toy drive to spread holiday cheer. We are looking forward to seeing you at the 2013 SIA Snow Show.

Wishing you health and happiness this holiday season,

David Ingemie & The SIA Family

By: 686
December 18, 2012

The RECLAIM Design Project is back! Have you always dreamed about being a designer? Do you live for snow and fashion? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then we want you to enter the third annual RECLAIM PROJECT, being held this year in both the US and Europe.

The world famous RECLAIM Design Project gives three talented designers the opportunity to create an original outerwear garment utilizing reclaimed materials, fabrics trims and supplies from the 686® production facility. Two winning designers will be awarded the grand prize of a coveted internship at 686 – helping design innovative, fashionable outerwear and technical apparel, as well as a collection of other great prizes. Is this you, do you have what it takes?

Here’s how the RECLAIM Design Project works:

Submit your entry – Include your best jacket design and a quick bio introducing yourself (be sure to include your current school and/or profession) – to reclaimproject@686.com no later than December 30, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST. You can submit an original sketch, drawing or download a jacket CAD to modify from http://686.com/ftp/reclaim_CAD.zip. Make it innovative, make it street, make it cute, but most of all make it yours. We know you’ve been thinking about it while sitting on the lift or behind your desk, now is your chance to show us what you’ve got!

Winning submissions will be flown to join SIA Snow Show, 686®, and Malakye.com in Denver, CO (US and Canada residents) and given 3 days to create a one of a kind design. We supply the sewing machines and materials – you supply the creativity and design. Please note that contestants selected to participate at the Reclaim Project at SIA must supply their own tools that are needed to create an outerwear jacket. One winner from each location will be chosen on the final day of competition and awarded a once in a lifetime opportunity internship with 686® and other great prizes.

Contest dates as follows: SIA Snow Show (US and Canada residents) Jan 31 – Feb 2, 2013. Finalists will be notified by January 2, 2013. Winners will be announced on final day of competition.

Good luck, now get designing!

For more information about 686® and The RECLAIM Design Project, please log onto www.686.com/reclaim-project.

By Skiing Business
December 13, 2012

In partnership with SnowSports Industries America, Skiing Business is sending shop employee Brandon Bunnewith to the 2013 SIA Snow Show.

Bunnewith, whose shop hasn’t attending the SIA show since 2007, will get a free flight to Denver, transportation to and from the airport, lodging, and a few meals.

Bunnewith, a 21-year-old who has worked at Competitive Edge Ski and Bike in Holyoke, Mass. for three years, has ski industry career goals of working in sales or marketing.

Brandon Bunnewith

“I have dreams of owning my own brand management/sales firm, consulting firm for shops, mountains and travel, or an event management firm,” he says in his contest submission. “I would love the opportunity to travel to SIA in order to get my foot in the door of the ski industry and make new connections inside the industry.”

Read more HERE

Don’t miss out on the 2nd annual Icelantic Winter on the Rocks Concert during the #SIA13 Snow Show! Get your tickets HERE.