The Industry Alliance 2.0

STRAIGHT FROM THE SOURCE
WHAT DOES YOUR SIA MEMBERSHIP MEAN FOR YOU?
June 1 marks the beginning of a new year for all of our Premium, Standard, Supporting and Retail members.   The 08-09 year promises to be an exciting one as SIA plans for and executes its last Show in Las Vegas, NV, January 27-30, 2009.  As an Association, SIA takes pride in knowing that, as Your Association, we offer unique benefits and services to the industry.

What does Your SIA membership mean to you?  (click here for membership renewal)
Access to the SIA.09 SnowSports Trade Show, the most exciting, comprehensive industry show – a place to showcase your brands, meet your associates and plan for the future.  

Our Sales and Marketing Managers offer an array of tools to help you track and promote your business.  From brand share reports to blast emails, this group works with our members individually to customize the most beneficial packages.  The Sales and Marketing Managers map out sponsorship opportunities and work directly with the Trade Show department to provide advertising/marketing exposure for your brands through our lobby showcase and signage programs.  Along with our sales force, the research arm of SIA compiles the Intelligence Report and exclusive, useful survey information available only to current SIA members.

As a current member, you also receive the annual SIA Industry Planner that highlights critical dates specific to the SIA.09 Trade Show, competition, industry events, etc. and is recognized as a useful tool when planning out your year.  The monthly Industry Alliance provides accurate and timely information relating to the SIA Trade Show and other critical business news.

Another important publication is the SIA Snow Directory. The Directory, which includes all members in good standing, is a comprehensive resource for the buying community.  With a distribution of over 20,000, the Directory provides logistical and descriptive information that is valuable for the retailer looking for products and also to the manufacturer looking for supporting services.

The Association website, snowsports.org, is comprehensive, offering a glimpse of the SIA.09 SnowSports Trade Show and the Exhibitor Services Manual which contains critical dates and information needed to run a successful booth.  We are launching a new interactive floor plan (more to come on this!), and as always you can register for your show badge(s) on this website.   Members can post press releases within our media and public relations area on the web.

In addition to the outlined services, SIA offers a rich package of benefits.  Are you taking advantage of the shipping and logistical benefits offered through our member rewards programs?  Participating with the FedEX, FedEX/Kinkos and Yellow programs can save your company money throughout the year.  Additionally, as a member of SIA, you have access to legal counsel through DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP, and human resource management advice from SESCO. 

The SIA membership year runs from June 1, 2008 through May 31, 2009.  In order to participate in the programs and services offered, your membership must be up-to-date.  If you have not yet renewed, please do so today.  Don’t take a chance on losing your booth space or having your benefits dropped.  Your participation with us is important.  As always, if you have any membership questions or concerns, contact Patricia Grenke at E: pgrenke@snowsports.org or P: 703.556.9020, ext: 222.  SIA. Your Intelligent Partner

MEMBER SERVICES: YOUR ASSOCIATION
BLAST E-MAILS
There are only a few dates remaining and available for blast e-mails in January 2009. Plan ahead to make the most of your membership. Contact your Sales & Marketing Managers (Ed Wray at EWray@snowsports.org; Reddy Kennedy at RKennedy@snowsports.org; Dave Wray at DWray@snowsports.org).

THE RESULTS ARE IN
PRODUCT REVIEWS MAKE A DIFFERENCE.  READ ON.
SnowSports Industries America (SIA) recently released its End of the Season Survey from the SnowSports Consumer Panel.  An online survey was sent to over 3,300 panel members to find out consumers’ knowledge of online product reviews as it relates to winter sports products. The data was projected to the winter sports population using the SIA Participation Study.

The majority of snow sports participants (86.4%) take the time to read online product reviews that other consumers have written before purchasing new products. And, consumers find them even more important when they are purchasing big ticket items like winter sports products (88.6%).

Snow sports participants claim to be directly impacted by these consumer reviews. Almost 7 out of 10 consumers have decided not to purchase a product because of a review another consumer has written. On the other hand, the impact of a bad review only goes so far, 61.6% have purchased a product even after it received bad consumer reviews.

And finally, the report explains that a colder longer season, with lots of snow, made 2007/08 a great one for consumer participation. Slightly more than 3 out of 10 snow sports consumers participated more this season as compared to last. In addition, 37.8% participated about the same and 19.9% of consumers participated less. Only 10.8% did not participate at all.

The SnowSports Consumer Panel is an online consumer research survey system devoted to understanding the consumer of winter sports products. It is a unique tool which enables SIA to examine, through market research, changing consumer behaviors, attitudes and perceptions. Panel members are pre-recruited US residents, 16 years or older, that participate in snow sports (alpine skiing, Nordic, telemark, snowboarding or snowshoeing).

The report can be read in its entirety by visiting the SIA website, snowsports.org.

SHOW BUSINESS
For the next several newsletters, look here to find answers for frequently asked questions as related to the SIA SnowSports Trade Show move to Denver in 2010.   This week’s featured question: 
Are there enough restaurants?
Denver has close to 100 restaurants within walking distance of the Colorado Convention Center or accessible via the 16th Street free shuttle or free light rail. There are over 30 shuttles alone for 16th Street Pedestrian Mall where over 90 restaurants (zones 1 and 3) are located. The 16th Street shuttle runs every 70-90 seconds from 6:00-1:00 AM, Monday thru Saturday and 7:00-1:00 AM on Sunday. It is also interesting to note that the 16th Street Mall is approximately two blocks from the Colorado Convention Center, which is less distance from the Mandalay Bay Convention Center to the Luxor. Denver offers diverse menu options.

THE WORD ON THE SLOPES
On May 7 in San Francisco, Mike Carey, CEO, Seirus Innovation and SIA Board Chair, was inducted into the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Hall of Fame. He joins other alum such as Denzel Washington, Shaquille O’Neal, Jennifer Lopez and Steve Largent…Katie Jackson, Marketing Manager for Powder-Horn World, had a daughter on April 30, Kiera Jane Jackson. Mom, Dad, Chad, and Kiera are doing great. (click here for photo)…Spyder Active Sports named Gary De Bay, EVP of Global Strategy and Marketing, on May 14Exel Plc sold their EXEL Sports Outdoor sport division, which includes cross-country, downhill, Nordic walking and blading, to KARHU, Finland, one of the leading Finnish Sports equipment manufacturers…Solstice Outdoor, Inc. has partnered with The Conservation Alliance, a non-profit organization. The partnership will allow Solstice to participate in the contribution and distribution of grants that protect and conserve wild habitat…Spyder Active Sports has weaved its web into NYC’S Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute’s latest exhibit: “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy.” Spyder was one of few sports and technical apparel brands chosen to be featured in the exhibit…On a sad note, Trudy Woolner, wife of Jim Woolner, owner of Beconta Sports, very active in SIA and formerly Chair of the Board, passed away on May 6…To read all of these releases and more, visit Media Center at snowsports.org.                        

SIA SEASON PASS
GIVE A BUMP TO YOUR BUDGET, SHIP WITH SIA’S DISCOUNT PROGRAMS SAVING UP TO 70%.
SIA offers a complete shipping and printing package giving members discount savings up to 70%. Are you making the most out of your SIA Membership?

Ship with FedEx® and save up to 45% on select FedEx Express® shipments with and up to 22% on select FedEx Ground® shipments. Use the SIA | FedEx Kinko’s Program and save up to 20% on printing and copies.  Looking to ship large loads? The new Yellow Transportation and YRC Regional Transportation Programs save you 70% on shipments.

If you’re not enrolled, Enroll Now!  Contact Patricia Grenke in Membership for questions and enrollment, pgrenke@snowsports.org. Visit the Member Services section to learn more about SIA’s member programs.

BUSINESS OF SNOW
WHAT’S SIA GOT PLANNED FOR THE SUMMER?
As Your Association, SIA will be working on presenting a new digital face to the industry. Snowsports.org is in the development phase of a complete renovation. Look to late Fall 2008 for the latest snowsports.org.

The SIA Industry Planner will be in your hands by the end of July. Continue to track the snow sports industry trade through this wall calendar that will be distributed to over 40,000.

Along with your membership renewal, don’t forget to keep your company information up to date and current. Your membership information not only helps us communicate effectively, but it also confirms a correct listing for your company and brand in the SIA Directory. The SIA Directory.09 will be published Winter 2009.

Have a safe, sunny and warm summer. For questions, please feel free to contact SIA at 703.556.9020 or siamail@snowsports.org.

SNOW SMARTS
SIA FALL EDUCATION WORKSHOPS RETURN WITH THE FOCUS ON WOMEN, YOUTH AND THE INTERNET
Youth, Women and the Internet: Are you Connecting?
For a fourth year, the SIA Fall Education Workshops return to several regional locations mid-September. Sessions critical to the growth and future of the snow sports industry will be the focus: women, youth and the internet. Through marketing, merchandising and internet behavior/development learn how these targets are shaping the industry and your business. 

In response to your feedback, we have reduced the workshop presentations to two while adding break-out discussions and networking sessions. Keep an eye out for exact dates, locations and workshop details. Registration will open in June. The SIA Fall Education Workshops.08 are a SIA SnowSports Institute Program, a year-round initiative to further educate the snow sports industry through workshops, online education, research and trade show presentations.

POWDER TO THE PEOPLE
14TH ANNUAL WINTER TRAILS SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 10, 2009
The organizers of Winter Trails have announced that the 14th annual event will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2009 at nearly 100 venues throughout North America. One large event, at Estes Park, CO, is scheduled for Saturday, February 14.

Winter Trails is a day when children and adults can try snowshoeing and/or cross country skiing free at participating host sites. With over 11,000 participants in 2008, Winter Trails is one of the largest demo programs in the snow sports industry and is geared to those NEW to snow sports. Winter Trails is an event coordinated by SnowSports Industries America (SIA) in partnership with the Cross Country Ski Areas Association (CCSAA) and the American Hiking Society (AHS).

Locations for Winter Trails events include Nordic Centers, Alpine ski resorts, U.S. Forest Service land, National Park Service land and local recreation and parks facilities. Each location is run by a local organizing group. Activities and times vary depending on the venue but all include free equipment and basic instruction. Many locations include nature walks, clinics and demonstrations on winter sports clothing and equipment. Official and up-to-date information can be found on wintertrails.org.

Presenters of Winter Trails include Alpina, Atlas Snow-Shoes, Atomic, Columbia, Exel, Fischer, Grabber, Kahtoola, Karhu, Mountain Safety Research (MSR), Nature Valley, PEPSICO, Redfeather, Rossignol, Salomon, Sorel, SWIX, Tubbs, Turtle Fur, Whitewoods, W.L. Gore and Associates, and Yukon Charlie’s with media partners Cross Country Skier magazine, OnTheSnow.com, Snowshoemagazine.com, Trax and XCSkiresorts.com.