SIA Nordic Committee Members Gather to Discuss State of the Industry, Determine 2014 Nordic Demo Location
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Earlier this week, SnowSports Industries America (SIA), the snow sports industry’s member-owned trade association, gathered members of the Nordic community for their annual Nordic Committee Meeting in Manchester, New Hampshire. During the daylong meeting, Committee members reviewed and discussed the current state of the industry including Nordic participation, relevant research, demographics, product sales through various channels and determined the 2014 Nordic Demo location following the 2014 SIA Snow Show (Jan. 30- Feb. 2, 2014).
After reviewing the pros and cons of several facilities, the Committee voted unanimously to return the Nordic Demo to a two-day format in-conjunction with the SIA On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest being held at Copper Mountain Resort from February 3-4.
“Copper has the right combination of convenience, proximity and service to provide the best Nordic outdoor product testing experience for dealers and attendees. I am confident this venue will offer our customers both easy access and a great environment for testing Nordic product,” commented committee member Isaac Wilson, Nordic Product Category Manager for Amer Sports.
The Committee also made a point to acknowledge and thank Devil’s Thumb Ranch for hosting the past four years of the Nordic Demo and their exceptional terrain and facilities.
Nordic Committee Members include Gary Flemming of Alpina, Isaac Wilson of Amer Sports, Peter Ashley and Rick Halling of Fischer, Van Brinkerhoff of Madshus, Steve Poulin and Andy Caniff of Swix, Ryan Green of Rossignol, Eric Schenker of Craft/Karhu,Chris Frado of CCSAA and David Ingemie, Reese Brown and Ed Wray from SnowSports Industries America (SIA).
“This meeting is our chance to gather as a group and take some time to consider the year ahead and what we’d like to promote for our industry – events, programs, growing participation, we really cover it all in this meeting,” commented Reese Brown, SIA’s Nordic Director.
The group spent a significant amount of time discussing growing Nordic participation and expanding current research efforts. Other topics included the Winter Trails program, which offers children/adults free Nordic demos at venues throughout North America as well as the upcoming Winter Olympics and opportunities to promote Nordic activities to consumers in an Olympic year.
– SIA –
Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2014, SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is a non-profit member-owned trade association with a long history of working to support the snow sports industry. SIA works year-round with North American snow sports suppliers, retailers, reports, reps and service providers to develop products and programs for their individual and collective business needs. With member support and industry participation, SIA annually hosts the industry’s largest core winter sports trade show, the SIA Snow Show, along with the On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest and the Sourcing Snow supplier show. SIA also helps retailers and resorts connect with snow sports participants around the country through Snowlink.com and Wintertrails.org.
