SIA HOSTS LARGEST “FAMILY” REUNION IN THE SNOW SPORTS INDUSTRY

Sustainable Efforts, 70 New Exhibitors, Product Trends, Events Galore and Business Took the Stage at SIA.08 SnowSports Trade Show

McLean, VA (February 20, 2008) -- Hosted at Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the sixth straight year, the SIA.08 SnowSports Trade Show served as the ultimate “family” gathering for the snow sports industry. Opening on January 29, the SIA Show delivered the hottest trends, hippest events, cutting edge technology and style to over 17,350 attendees from the snow sports community. Over the four days, the 37th annual SIA Show hosted manufacturers, retailers, reps, resorts, industry associates, alumni, elite athletes, media personalities and more.

Exhibitors displaying new product lines for the 2008.09 season represented over 95% of the market share for the ski and snowboard sectors and 80% of the Nordic, telemark and snowshoe market. With over 357,000 net exhibit square feet and 421 exhibitors representing nearly 1000 brands exhibiting in over 3570 booths – the SIA.08 SnowSports Trade show was THE show for the snow sports industry.

The buying power index, measured by an independent outside firm – Leisure Trends Group, for this year’s show topped out at 87.7 for the U.S. retail buying power represented at the SIA.08 SnowSports Trade Show. Accordingly, SIA reported that buyer attendance was strong with 4800 buyers from 1532 buying company managements representing 29301 storefronts, resorts and buying companies worldwide. “The show is great for us because it allows us to see all our lines and products side by side in one location,” said Linda Leichtweis of Modern Skate and Surf in Royal Oak, MI.

Expanding on last year’s efforts to be more “green”, SIA developed several new initiatives to help reduce the snow sports industry’s carbon footprint this year. New at this year’s SIA Show was the introduction of a Digital Press Room, which allowed NO paper press kits from exhibitors; a Market Segment exhibit, ECOsource, focused solely on snow sports products and initiatives that are recyclable, sustainable or made from recycled materials from over 70 exhibitors; FREE water bottle and refill stations, provided by Sessions and SIA; recycled carpet adorning all the aisles on the Show Floor; 2,000 messenger bags made from post-consumer recycled PET plastic distributed to registered buyers; and the opportunity to even be educated on the subject as Alison Gannett, President of Save Our Snow Foundation and a global cooling consultant, presented a seminar on how to “green” your snow sports business.

Once again, SIA purchased renewable energy certificates from Renewable Choice Energy of Boulder, Colo., in the amount of 225,000kWH for 100% of the electric power used during the SIA.08 SnowSports Trade Show; and partnered with GES and Mandalay Bay Services to implement an extensive recycling program.

For a snow sports specialty retailer, one of the biggest payoffs for attending a tradeshow is discovering new products, trends and new-to-the-industry companies, and this year marked 70+ companies’ debut at the SIA.08 SnowSports Trade Show. First time exhibiting company Yellowman reported, “This is our first time at SIA and I could never have imagined how successful this show would be for our brand. SIA helped us develop a good marketing plan to communicate with the retailers, thru blast emails and participating in the fashion show we had buyers coming to us all day.”

Ten Market Segment Exhibits were featured at the SIA.08 SnowSports Trade Show with products exclusive to key market segments within the snow sports buying environment: rental, uniform, kids, cross country, AT | telemark | backcountry, backshop, women’s hardgoods, twin tip and new this year, helmets and ecologically/green manufactured products. A record number 396 participants showcased their products with KIDZone notching an all-time high with 85 brands. “The opportunity to showcase the Capix brand in SIA's special Helmet Zone exhibit helped us reach a broader audience than what we could have done from our own booth where we have a lot of different products. It allowed us to target an audience that was looking specifically for helmets,” stated Jody Carlson, Sales Manager for Capix.

With over 100 events on tap, attendees were provided plenty of opportunities to reconnect with old friends of the “family” and make new acquaintances as well. On the eve of the SIA Show was the third annual SIA Snow Fashion Show, sponsored by Volvo. Over 1500 attendees were introduced to the latest and greatest in winter sports apparel for the Winter 08.09 season. The Opening Night Party at the House of Blues capped off a successful first day while attendees enjoyed a performance by legendary DJ Z-Trip. The SnowSports Institute debut, product giveaways, the DNA Rail Jam, cocktail parties, alumni breakfast, awards presentations, The Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Induction ceremony including the first-ever snowboard honorees Donna and Jake Burton Carpenter, athlete appearances and even a wedding hosted by Helly Hansen were just footnotes in the long list of events that capped off the four day Show.

Resort Sports Network (RSN) and Ski Press Media, Inc., provided daily coverage of the Show visually and editorially, respectively. RSN produced a daily 25-minute show, entitled “The Goods” broadcast on the host hotels in-house channels and provided in depth coverage with on air talent Doug Lewis and roaming reporters Beth Lahr York and Kelley Lewis. Meanwhile, Ski Press World, producers of the SnowPress Show Daily, provided their wrap up on 240 glossy pages over the four days.

“Our 2008 Show really emanated the excitement and energy of the snow sports industry,” said David Ingemie, President, SIA. “Even with a recession looming, our industry is thriving and SIA as Your Intelligent Partner.365, is ensuring through our well-attended SnowSports Trade Show that our attendees have a place to see, touch, feel and BUY for the future of snow sports. We look forward to serving our members and the industry in the years ahead.”

For additional news and highlights from SIA.08 SnowSports Trade Show, use the following link to view and/or download all four days of the show’s official show daily – SnowPress Show Daily at: http://www.skipressworld.com/snowpress or visit the SIA trade site, snowsports.org, for post show videos, pictures and more.

Join us for the SIA.09 SnowSports Trade Show and our last year in Vegas, January 27-30, 2009.

– SIA –

SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is Your Intelligent Partner.365 of the snow sports industry. SIA annually produces the SIA SnowSports Trade Show, the largest industry trade show and networking environment, and delivers invaluable data, support and marketing products. SIA serves as the national, not-for-profit, member-owned trade association representing snow and winter sports companies. For more information, check out www.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