Action Sports Retailer Trade Show Shuts Down

The Action Sports Retailer Trade Expo, the biannual trade show for the surf and skate {business}, has canceled all future events, according to sources close to the show.
The 29-year-old action sports trade show was the {biggest} for the action-sports {marketplace} on the West Coast. Owned by San Juan Capistrano, Calif.–based Nielsen Expositions, ASR routinely united 800 surf/skate, swim, moto and snow brands and {almost} 6,000 retail buyers twice a year at the San Diego Convention Center.

The show has been in flux for the past {several} years. The high {cost} of participating in the {marketing}-heavy show and conflicting dates saw the exodus {first} of the footwear brands—a {key} category for the {business} and the show. In 2009, Hurley announced it would no longer participate in ASR, and that {same} year biggies such as Quiksilver, Roxy, Reef, Rip Curl, Matix and {other people} {began} to opt out of some editions of ASR.

The show was the {biggest} of its {type} on the West Coast and {usually} drew upward of 800 exhibitors, thousands of retailer buyers and {substantial} media {attention}, {especially} from enthusiast publications. Nielsen Expositions, {component} of New York-based Nielsen Co., held two annual editions of ASR in San Diego. Executives from Nielsen Exposition {couldn’t} be reached for comment. Jason Bates, founder of the Class@ASR show held in partnership with ASR, told California Apparel News that all events {below} the trade show’s umbrella have been canceled.

I {really feel} sad for the surf and skate {business},” Bates {said}. “But the surf, skate and shoe {business} all wanted {} (show) dates and {} {things} from ASR. I {comprehend} why ASR could not serve all of {those} {individuals}. I {comprehend} why they have to call it a day.

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