Surf Expo Orlando Sept 2012

[jdmotes]

 After a very busy Outdoor Retailer in Utah, looking forward to next months Surf Expo in Orlando... Just curious as to who plans to attend from The Stand-Up Zone?
I'll be working booth 1069 (Aerotech/Exocet/Epic Gear) and also at the Orlando Watersports Complex for the open-air demo-day the Wednesday before the show... Hoping to see some of you guys (and girls) there too.              Paddle on;     JD

[Caribsurf]

hey JD I will be there Kipling booth #2139  my wife will be with Havaianas flip flops .  I am  also helping Coreban with the demo day so I will see you there.  Let's take the time for a cold beer and some story telling this show.

****Anyone who is on the fence about attending, I recommend you stay home and score some waves... seems there is ALWAYS decent surf during Surf Expo and I am stuck in a convention center.

[jdmotes]

 You are ON, Don... See you there.              Paddle on;      JD

[finsider]

Question for you guys... is there a reason that the Surf Expo is not open to the public? Is there a benefit to that? I for one would love to go see all these great products and demo many brands all in one spot, so is there any event like this that is open to the public?

[jdmotes]

Question for you guys... is there a reason that the Surf Expo is not open to the public? Is there a benefit to that? I for one would love to go see all these great products and demo many brands all in one spot, so is there any event like this that is open to the public?

I've often questioned that myself, finsider... I've been going since it was held at the Tupperware Center back in the 70's or early 80's; But it's not even close to being the same show then as now. I can't (for the life of me) remember the name of that guy that started it. He was from Miami; I believe his name was Ross Houston but that might be wrong...
It was setup (originally) as an easy way for manufacturers to show their products to prospective RETAIL buyers and the 'buyers only' intent was to keep it from becoming a giant flea market. It works pretty well, too, but there's so many non-business people at Surf Expo it's kinda become a joke...
The OR show in Utah (just completed) is way more business oriented (IMHO) and the 'outdoor demo' idea is relatively new and gives the hard-goods buyers a chance for hands-on testing of the different products available to them...        Paddle on;   JD

[Acrane7]

Going with a few people from Kite Surf Jax. Will most definitely come by your booths to say hello. I think we will be there Saturday and maybe even Friday. My Bday weekend so we might make a full weekend and have a good time. See ya guys there.

Andrew

[finsider]

Question for you guys... is there a reason that the Surf Expo is not open to the public? Is there a benefit to that? I for one would love to go see all these great products and demo many brands all in one spot, so is there any event like this that is open to the public?

I've often questioned that myself, finsider... I've been going since it was held at the Tupperware Center back in the 70's or early 80's; But it's not even close to being the same show then as now. I can't (for the life of me) remember the name of that guy that started it. He was from Miami; I believe his name was Ross Houston but that might be wrong...
It was setup (originally) as an easy way for manufacturers to show their products to prospective RETAIL buyers and the 'buyers only' intent was to keep it from becoming a giant flea market. It works pretty well, too, but there's so many non-business people at Surf Expo it's kinda become a joke...
The OR show in Utah (just completed) is way more business oriented (IMHO) and the 'outdoor demo' idea is relatively new and gives the hard-goods buyers a chance for hands-on testing of the different products available to them...        Paddle on;   JD

Thanks for the info as always JD. Anyone need a volunteer that weekend ?  

[airSUP]

the show sounds like of fun, plz post some photos if you get time 

[newton333]

ya i wanna see pics of starboard both.

[Old School]

I taqged along with a local dealer here in Vero last year.  Don't know if I'll have time to go this year.  Even though there are plenty of people (like me) without a legitimate reason to be there, I think if you opened it up to the public it would be a complete zoo.  A lot of dealers do a good chunk of their buying at these shows, so they want to be sure they have the time and ability to get things done. 

[Dave J]

I may be there one day at the Surfrider booth. Will be sure to stop by and say high.

[Dave J]

I might even say hello as well. Stupid auto correct on the iPad.

[blueplanetsurf]

I'll be at Surf Expo and hope to meet some more Zoner's there.  Blue Planet is sharing a booth with Everpaddle.  My friend Kevin Seid and I will be sharing a tiny 10x10 booth, we will be right by the demo pool.  Please come by and check us out.  We will have some demo boards at the demo day on Sept. 5th, and are planning to enter the Bic one design race, too.

If anyone in Florida is interested in buying a Blue Planet board, let me know which model you are interested in.  We will ship it to Orlando at our expense and can turn it over after showing it at the Expo.

Here is a spreadsheet of available boards:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Au9qxAnW7ZMddGhUZ0hiel9tblRhYmM1RU5Pa092QlE#gid=0

[supguy35]

I'll be down there again this year doing the demo and the show. if anyone wants to look at some new Naish and Hyperflex wetsuits let me know I work the NY, NJ,PA,DE,MD and DC area

[Caribsurf]

It nev fails, Just like I predicted TP/hurricane Leslie is forecast to stall and send waves to the east coast all week.   

Damn why can't they have this show in July?!