LAS VEGAS (January 28, 2003) – Opening Night Party, Cyber Cafe, New Show Daily Highlight First Day; Show pauses to remember fallen snowboarder Craig Kelly.

The Mandalay Bay Convention Center, site of the 2003 SnowSports Industries America (SIA) trade show, earned positive reviews from show attendees experiencing the venue for the first time.

Buyers, manufacturers and winter sports enthusiasts were introduced to the hottest products which will be available in retail shops nationwide next season. The energy on the show floor was evident as attendees found it easier to purchase food and beverages, retrieve their email at the Cyber Cafe or grab a beer at the Alpine Beer Garden.

“This is a whole new ball game,” said Bob Hall, president of Panoptx Eyewear. “Traffic for us has been great and people are enthusiastic about being here. There is definitely a good buzz. This show is a keeper.”

“There's a lot more excitement at this show than there has been in a few years,” added Dave Schmidt, vice president – director of global sales of Burton Snowboards. “I believe the next one will be even stronger.”

Capturing the new spirit of the show, the Snow Press Show Daily features timely articles on the industry in addition to all the gossip in the aisles and the latest trends. Attendees and non-attendees alike will receive daily email versions of the latest news from the Show Daily in order to stay plugged in to all the happenings at the show.

The excitement on the show floor carried right into the House of Blues at the end of the day with a top-notch Opening Night Party, sponsored by SIA, Hooked on the Outdoors, Salomon and W.L. Gore, which featured the band Pennywise. Over 2,000 attendees crowded into the renowned venue to enjoy plenty of food, beer and giveaways.

“The location for the SIA Show is great. It's really centralized, like one-stop shopping,” said Eric Friedman, president and CEO of Stick-It. “It gives people a chance to mix and mingle.”

In memory of the fallen snowboarders Craig Kelly and Tristan Picot, who recently lost their lives in an avalanche, show attendees paused for a moment of silence at 3:00PM.

***SIA***

SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is the national, not-for-profit, member-owned trade association that represents snow and winter sports outdoor companies. SIA produces the SIA SnowSports Show, the largest trade show and gathering place for the snow sports industry. Proceeds from the SnowSports Show fund market development programs for all snow sport disciplines. SIA also annually produces more than a dozen industry research studies. For more information, check out www.snowlink.com. SnowSports Industries America, 8377-B Greensboro Drive, McLean, VA 22102-3587. Phone: (703) 556-9020, Fax: (703) 821-8276, Email: siamail@snowsports.org