Outdoor Retailer and Surf Expo, tradeshows within the Emerald Exposition’s portfolio of business-to-business events, announced a partnership with the StandUp Paddle Industry Association (SUPIA), a trade organization of stand up paddle businesses. As a result of this partnership, SUPIA will exclusively endorse and participate in Surf Expo’s two annual shows and Outdoor Retailer’s Summer Market “and will work to foster participation and growth in SUP at the shows,” say show organizers.
Surf Expo and Outdoor Retailer also have agreed to continue their support of SUPIA’s Summit, held in October in Dana Point, Calif. The SUPIA Summit welcomes the SUP industry for two days of roundtables, speakers, education sessions, networking, food and fun. SUPIA will participate in upcoming Outdoor Retailer and Surf Expo shows to network with existing member brands and meet with new and up-and-coming companies at the heart of the outdoor and surf /watersports industries’ marketplace.
“Given that SUPIA started after a meeting of industry leaders at Surf Expo just a few years ago, it only makes sense to formally partner with the association to assist them in their growth,” ,” notes SVP and Surf Expo Show Director, Roy Turner.
“The paddling segment has been an important community to Outdoor Retailer Summer Market,” commented Marisa Nicholson, VP and Show Director for Outdoor Retailer. “This relationship will give us the opportunity to strengthen our relationships with the paddling community, bring more attention to this category and create a platform to support the specialty retailers already carrying SUP products, or interested in bringing SUP into their lineup.”
“Outdoor Retailer and Surf Expo have been invaluable in connecting SUP manufacturers with key retailers throughout the US as well as internationally. We are very excited to work closely with the OR and Surf Expo teams to continue to grow SUP at the shows and events as well as in the retail marketplace.” said Kristin Thomas, Executive Director of SUPIA.
