INDUSTRY EVENTS  EVENTS WRAPUP
SIA TRADE SHOW HIGHLIGHTS FASHION, WEARABLE TECH, SYSTEMS
The 35th Annual SnowSports Industries America (SIA) SnowSports Trade Show Jan. 23-26 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, drew more than 18,000 attendees, including suppliers and buyers.
Fashion was the big theme. The 2006-07 season will have plenty of urban appeal and technical features. Bold prints, plaids, and faux fur have spread beyond last year’s lines. Style and fashion have infiltrated every niche of the business. Hard goods, accessories—every supplier has an eye on fashion. Prints are everywhere—men’s and womens tops and bottoms, goggle straps, socks, gloves, backpacks. Street looks, such as herringbone prints and businesslike check patterns, are common.
Women-specific gear options continue to multiply, while “systems” are becoming more and more prominent for both snowboarding and skiing. K2 snowboards has a new line developed by its Snowboarding Women’s Alliance. Dynastar is launching a new line of women’s-specific rental gear. Priced just a bit more than fleet rentals, it offers a whole lot more image and performance.
Wearable technology has expanded to include helmets and gloves as well as parkas. Reusch’s new Sonic Control glove integrates a wireless control panel: the glove has rubber buttons to let you control volume, pause, play and move back and forth between tracks. Giro and Burton helmets offer a wireless Bluetooth setup, among other audio options. Backpacks incorporate compartments with outlets for hydration tubes and earphones. And with all the luscious gear that’s available, skiers and riders will need one of the clever backpacks on display at the show—pockets alone will hardly suffice anymore.
|  | John Rice from Northstar and his rental and retail buying team checking out products in Rental World. |
|  | This glove won for most innovative new product...we think it has great potential for resort employees who need protection and functionality. |
|  | First annual Rental Roundtable discussion in Rental World. |
|  | Always a party in the Snowboard aisles... |
|  | Crocs were seen everywhere in every color. |
|  | Burton's English Countryside patterns were on everything from jackets to board bags. |
|  | Winners of Rental World's "Perfect 10" contest from Okemo/Crested Butte/Sunapee. |
|  | SAM's Sharon Walsh standing next to rail protection gear with a girlie flare. |
|  | Jeff Boliba showing SAM their new line called, AUDEX "Audio External Communication Systems." |
|  | Familiar faces at Rental World cocktail reception: Jerri Tranquilli, JP Martin, Brian Derouin, Tom Cottrill, Sharon Walsh and Conrad Kleifos. |
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