With many resorts closing this past weekend and winter slowly coming to an end, we are keenly focused on the job ahead. Throughout the spring and summer, we will be working to develop more tools to help strengthen our value to SIA’s members. Focus groups, new research and data projects, educational programs, and a look at consumer facing initiatives are all on our radar.
Also on the priority list is an investigation into what a consolidated trade show landscape could look like. As I have said a number of times, I welcome the opportunity to engage in consolidation conversations, especially those that result in a positive net outcome for our industry. SIA’s mandate is the “help the industry thrive.” Therefore, we are looking at all possible ways to assist members in saving money, reducing stresses on the industry and best supporting the business ecosystem. We will do everything in our power to explore all the options and help chart a positive path forward.
In an effort to help develop a comprehensive future vision for the industry, SIA held our first full-day Think Tank session here in Park City on Tuesday. 16 thought leaders representing different segments of the industry came together to discuss what the industry could look like in 2030. Focusing our sights even shorter, we also spent a good portion of the time together discussing what SIA can do to help the industry by 2020. A lively conversation generated lots of great discussion points, innovative ideas and a general sense of the importance of coming together as an industry. We will be conducting other Think Tanks in different parts of the US as we move into summer. So, stay tuned on that front.
In the meantime, some important notes to keep in mind.
- Committees: In my last letter, I mentioned the opportunity to join SIA’s committees. We’ve had a great response and will be reaching back out with final committee assignments around mid May. We look forward to kicking these off and utilizing all of the good feedback that these committees will generate!
- Lock in your booth space…and 2017 pricing! It may only be April, but it’s time to get your booth space request and membership forms in! And this is why – on June 1, square footage pricing will go up! In order to take advantage of 2017 pricing, you must complete your membership form as well. Reach out to your Member Services Rep for more information: Colin Edwards at [email protected](Rockies); or Kyle Kennedy at [email protected] (East and West Regions).
Research, research, research: When was the last time you looked at an SIA research report? Did you know that we produce a wide variety of research reports (available to members and non-members) including: State of the Market reports, Wholesale Sales and Orders Surveys, Industry Trend Reports covering 30 years of participation and sales, Fashion and Social Trends reports and presentations, detailed Consumer Journey Studies, Consumer Profiles for snowboard, downhill ski and Nordic ski and retail market data down to the product level through the 2015/2016 season. And this is in addition to all of the custom research that we can design around your specific needs. Did you know that we have a proprietary consumer panel available to our members? The “Snow Sports Insiders” is a panel made up of more than 10,000 snow sports consumers who are ready and willing to tell you what they think about specific brands and products. SIA makes great efforts to generate research that is relevant to your business, provides a detailed view of the market, and help you make the most effective business decisions…and many of these are available free to members! We know that whoever has the best information wins every time. Check out http://snowsports.org/research-surveys to see what’s available or reach out to SIA’s Research Director, Kelly Davis at [email protected] for more information.
What else would you like to hear or learn more about? I’m available and would love to catch up.
Here’s to a prosperous off-season ahead.
Nick Sargent