SIA ANNOUNCES THE 2008.09 SIA SNOWSPORTS REGIONAL REP OF THE YEAR WINNERS

Nearly 1000 Votes Cast

McLean, VA (Sept. 3, 2008) -- SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is proud to announce the winners of the 2008.09 SIA SnowSports Regional Rep of the Year Award. In its third year, this award recognizes those sales reps in the snow sports industry that have successfully fostered relationships with retail storefronts to help move winter sports products. SIA received nearly 1000 nominations for this accolade from snow sports retailers nationwide. Nine regions were identified for retailers to vote for the snow sports rep they felt most deserving. This year's SnowSports Regional Rep of the Year winners will be recognized at the SIA Fall Education Seminars held in three locations throughout the U.S. Each winner will receive a commemorative plaque recognizing their commitment to the industry, and they are (by region):

Atlantic (NY/ PA/ NJ/ DE/ MD) - Rob Haggerty

Eastern Lakes (MI/ OH/ IN) - Broc Johnson

Midwest (ND/ MN/ WI/ SD/ IA/ IL/ NE/ MO/ KS/ OK) - Scott Ladwig

Northeast (ME/ VT/ NH/ MA/ RI/ CT) - Brad Sellew

Northern CA - Craig Wingard

Northwest (WA/ OR/ ID/ MT/ AK) - Dustin Anderson

Rockies (WY/ UT/ CO/ NM/ TX) - Rob Howland

South (WV/ VA/ KY/ TN/ NC/ SC/ GA/ AL/ MS/ FL/ AR/ LA) - Mitch Chilton

West (Southern CA/ NV/ AZ/ HI) - Bob Stanislaus

Voting for the regional rep award began in late July with surveys sent out to nearly 10,000 retail storefronts. Nomination criteria focused on five main components including: relationships with retail shops; communication with retailers; proactively helping stores manage inventory; conducting shop clinics; and timely response to retail shops' calls and emails.

The SIA SnowSports Regional Rep of the Year award is part of the overall awards program that SIA has continued to build over the past several years. Other awards currently included in the program include: the Canadian SnowSports Rep of the Year, US SnowSports Retailer of the Year, Canadian Retailer of the Year and Supplier of the Year awards. All of these awards will be announced during SIA's Annual Trade Show in Las Vegas, NV (January 27-30, 2009).

For more information about the award and bios on this year's winners, visit snowsports.org.

SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is a not-for-profit trade association whereby competing on-snow product suppliers magnify their power, by working together, for the development of the on-snow sports industry. For more information, check out snowsports.org. SnowSports Industries America, 8377-B Greensboro Drive, McLean, VA 22102-3587. Phone: (703) 556-9020, Fax: (703) 821-8276, E-mail: SIAmail@snowsports.org.