Surf Expo Breaks Records in Orlando
January 16, 2013
Riding the waves just seems to be getting more and more popular every year as evidenced by George Little Management’s biannual Surf Expo event, which was held Jan. 10-12 in Orlando and grew to record-breaking levels.
More than 26,000 attendees flocked to a packed to a 250,000 square foot showfloor at the Orange County Convention Center, where 2,500 brands showed off their wares to buyers from 47 states and 49 countries.
“We are thrilled by the feedback we've received from the show," said Surf Expo Show Director Roy Turner.
He added, "The market was vibrant, optimistic and ready to stock their shelves for 2013."
Cumulative buyer traffic topped 12,500, an increase of 23 percent, compared with the January 2012 show.
"Buyers from more than 3,300 different retail businesses found the largest Surf Expo in history and definitely had reason to stay more days," said Senior Buyer Relations Manager Steven Fisher.
Exhibiting companies were prepared for the busy showfloor, with exhibitor attendance spiking 35 percent to nearly 7,300, compared with last year. Media attendance also was sharply up, showing gains of 35 percent.
"The increase in traffic Surf Expo enjoyed at our January show - whether you're talking about buyers, exhibitors or media - says volumes about the trust the industry places in Surf Expo to deliver the best buyers, best exhibitors, and the best shopping experience," Turner said.
According to Brooke Brockner, buyer at Ocean Key Resort in Florida, "Surf Expo was great. I found a lot of vendors that I was looking for and new ones I was not."
Exhibitors also gave the show positive reviews. "Once again, we had a successful show," said Holly Anderson, senior sales manager of NHS.
She added, "We met with at least 75 customers and collected more than 30 new leads. The bosses really liked all the orders we got too."
The next Surf Expo will be held Sept. 6-8 and feature several changes, including a collocation with consumer event The Boardroom International Surfboard Show.
"One of the most exciting opportunities offered by our GLM partnership is the ability to take The Boardroom to a variety of different regions with a strong surf culture, and Florida fits that bill perfectly," said Scott Bass, founder of The Boardroom.
The announcement marks the first time in Surf Expo's 37-year history where consumers will be permitted to attend part of the Surf Expo show.
"For years we've had to turn away dedicated surfers and boardsports enthusiasts who are dying to attend Surf Expo and experience the companies it serves," Turner said.
He added, "Now, there's finally an event for them - and an easy, effective way for Surf Expo exhibitors to interact with thousands of passionate and knowledgeable end users celebrating the sport we love."
The September show also will feature a first-time collocation with GLM’s newly acquired Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition.
"Internet Retailer @ Surf Expo" will present Surf Expo retailers and exhibitors with onsite access to top-level e-commerce vendors, as well as hands-on information on how e-commerce can help to grow their businesses.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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