March 18, 2011 (Mclean, VA) – The Board of Directors for SnowSports Industries America (SIA) today announced a shift in SIA Snow Show dates to an earlier mid-January time slot beginning in 2013. The Snow Show will begin on Saturday, January 12th and run through Tuesday, January 15th at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado. The On-Snow Demo will follow the Show at Winter Park Resort and Devil’s Thumb Ranch on January 16th and 17th.

In 2014, the SIA Snow Show will follow the same mid-January pattern and begin on Saturday January 11th through Tuesday, January 14th followed by the On-Snow Demo on January 15th and 16th. This mid-January/Saturday start will be used for all future Snow Show dates. SIA will be working closely with buying groups, regional rep associations and retailer associations to make this transition as smooth as possible.

The Board’s decision came after analysis of the industry’s current buy/sell cycle, changing production lead times, as well as date conflicts with major holidays and trade events including an overlap with ISPO beginning in 2012. Given all of the factors and constituencies SIA’s Board had to consider, the goal was to provide Show dates that would benefit the majority of the industry.

“In 2002, the SIA Snow Show was moved from March to January with the goal of creating a national show to kick off the buy/sell cycle where retailers could truly ‘See it, Try it, Buy It’. With the increase in private line previews, regional and national trade shows, the Board of Directors felt the Show needed to adjust to changes in the marketplace,” commented David Ingemie, SIA’s president.

Beyond making the SIA Snow Show the national trade event, the Board is optimistic the earlier Show dates will also:
– Recognize the globalization of product manufacturing, which requires earlier production and delivery times ensuring on-time delivery to retailers and ultimately consumers
– Avoid schedule conflicts with international, national and regional shows
– Ensure the success of members with U.S. headquarters attending both SIA and ISPO shows — both essential to the growth of their business
– For 2012, the SIA Snow Show dates will continue with the Show’s previous end-of-January timing on January 26-29 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado followed by the On-Snow Demo at Winter Park and Devil’s Thumb Ranch on January 30-31.

www.siasnowshow.com