SnowSports Industries America (SIA), the snow sports industry’s member-owned trade association, recently announced plans to host its first-ever INDUSTRY + INTELLIGENCE gathering. The daylong industry-only event, scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 28th, will prep Snow Show attendees with educational offerings, market intelligence, networking opportunities, keynote speakers and social gatherings all before the doors open to the 2015 SIA Snow Show (Jan. 29 – Feb. 1, 2015).

“Having a Snow Show kick-off day dedicated to communicating the state of the snow sports market, identifying opportunities to grow our businesses and collectively work together to grow participation makes this an event not to be missed,” commented Jared Bevens, trade show committee member and VP Global Footwear Merchandising for VANS.

The day will begin with the very popular Product Category Research Seminars presented by SIA’s Director of Research, Kelly Davis. SIA will also share the initial results of the Downhill Consumer Intelligence Project (DCIP) in collaboration with more than 20 research and non-profit organizations. DCIP is the first research effort in over a decade focused on developing a comprehensive and current understanding of alpine and snowboard consumers that will guide strategies and tactics to grow snow sports participation.

“Show attendees are often booked solid from morning to night with appointments during the Snow Show.  The INDUSTRY + INTELLIGENCE will give everyone one more chance to sit-in on popular seminars and meet-up with industry friends on the front end of Show,” commented SIA’s Director of Trade Show Debbie DesRoches.

Throughout the afternoon, seminars will focus on improving marketing and increasing sales.  A major highlight of the day will include keynote speaker, Amy Purdy, who is currently the top ranked adaptive snowboarder in the U.S., a three-time World Cup Para-Snowboard winner and 2014 Paralympic Bronze Medalist. Three days after winning a bronze medal at the 2014 Sochi Paralympics Amy became a breakout star and runner-up of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.

“Snowboarding has been a part of my life since I was a young girl. My passion for riding carried me out of my darkest days, around the world, and onto the Podium at the Paralympic Games. I’ve been coming to the SIA Snow Show since the very beginning and I know this event is packed with people who share my passion for snow sports. I’m honored to be invited to share my story and am looking forward to an amazing few days in Denver,” commented Amy Purdy, Motivational Speaker, 2014 Paralympic Medalist, Actress, Author. Twitter account: @AmyPurdyGURL

The ASSEMBLY will also convene for its annual forum for mountain tourism industry’s stakeholders.

“Bringing The ASSEMBLY to SIA’s Snow Show has proven its value to the Resort/Travel side of the industry and is now being enhanced and expanded to create an agenda and social events that are broader, deeper, and more exciting to better meet the needs of participants,” said Ralf Garrison, whose research company, DestiMetrics, produces The ASSEMBLY.

Job seekers will flock to the annual Shmooz industry job fair, hosted by SIA and Malakye.com, connecting the unemployed with potential snow sports-focused employers. To wrap it all up, the All-Industry Nite will feature several industry-only parties, concerts and events throughout downtown Denver.

Daytime/evening events and seminar planning will continue and additional information and updates can be found at the INDUSTRY + INTELLIGENCE (#SIA15intel) section of the Snow Show website. Registration and hotel blocks are open at SIAsnowshow.com.

Image courtesy SnowSports Industries America