McLean, VA - SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is pleased to announce the recent hiring of its new Director of Marketing and Communications, Leslie Groves. No stranger to the wide world of sports, she has been tapped to implement several of the associations’ new marketing programs geared towards moving snow sports product in addition to overseeing all trade marketing and public relations efforts.
Groves officially came on board the association during the SIA.07 SnowSports Trade Show and became a full time resident of Virginia this month. She most recently served as the Chief Marketing and Communications Director for the Women’s Sports Foundation and prior to that served long term stints at Galyans, Score Results Marketing, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Nike and Fox Television in various marketing and communication positions.
“Leslie brings an extensive level of expertise to SIA and will play a vital role in positioning the association for long term growth,” said SIA President David Ingemie. “Her background in marketing, communications and strategic development are key assets as we continue to establish SIA as the Intelligent Partner in the snow sports industry.”
“I’m thrilled to join SIA and work with such a well-established team and forward-thinking industry,” commented Groves. “I’m eager to utilize my experience to further the Association and member companies.”
Groves graduated from Oregon State University and is an avid sports and fitness enthusiast. She will reside in Northern Virginia.
Sia.08 Snowsports Trade Show Commences On Tuesday, January 29
Mclean, Va. - In a unique turn of events, SnowSports Industries America announces that the SIA.08 SnowSports Trade Show will begin on a Tuesday, January 29 and end on Friday, February 1. In addition, the SIA.08 Show will be the final stop on the proverbial January trade show circuit which includes national/International shows such as Action Sports Retailer Show (ASR), ISPO, Surf Expo and Outdoor Retailer Winter Market.
Show producers for each of these major trade shows are aware of the reshuffling of dates for the upcoming trade show season and in one situation a complete date overlap. ISPO winter dates are set for January 27-30, 2008. Dates for ISPO winter must avoid the European holiday of Fasching; while the SIA.08 dates must factor in the Dr. Martin Luther King holiday weekend. At a meeting at ISPO winter in Munich this past February, executives from both SIA and ISPO looked at all possibilities to try to alleviate the date conflict for next year.
SIA and ISPO commented jointly that, “we regret the hardship the 2008 date overlap will present for some exhibitors and retailers, but acknowledge that we looked at all possibilities and the holiday schedule would not permit a date change.” Since 2002, SIA has scheduled the opening of its show for the Monday following the Dr. Martin Luther King holiday.
In an effort to avoid additional date overlaps and help companies and individuals that participate in both shows, SIA has allowed for extra days between the 2008 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, January 23-26, 2008. SIA.08 will begin on a Tuesday to address this situation and accommodate the SMC/SSL Winter Market that precedes the SIA Show every year.
SIA.07 delivered the hottest trends, hippest events, cutting edge technology and style to over 17,332 attendees from the snow sports community. Exhibitors displaying new product lines for the 2007-08 season represented over 95% of the market share for the ski and snowboard sectors and 80% of the Nordic, telemark and snowshoe market. Over 353,000 net exhibit square feet and 447 exhibitors representing nearly 900 brands exhibiting in over 3500 booths was reported. The buying power index topped out at 89% for the U.S. retail buying power with overall buyer attendance up 3% recording 4870 buyers from 1555 shops and representing 23,770 storefronts worldwide.
Click HERE and HERE to read Snowboard-Revolution's SIA.07 Reports and HERE to watch the video