Why Attend

Target Your Market

ASR understands the importance of strategic long term planning for your business. In today’s retail environment, buyers need to see all product options available to them before making purchasing decisions. Having confidence in the products you carry can make the difference toward a positive bottom line or excess inventory that strains cash flow. ASR provides you with a focused setting to see the entire landscape of action sports product and a glimpse into future trends of the marketplace. This insight will translate into higher margins and profitability in the years to come. ASR serves as the ultimate action sports buying platform and gives you tools to maximize your business potential.

Trend Spotting

As a specialty retailer, understanding your core consumers wants, needs and buying behaviors holds the keys to your success. ASR offers you the chance to witness brand launches and the unveiling of the latest product innovations. Identify the brands that are creating a buzz on the show floor, getting the attention of consumer media, industry leaders and other buyers. In 2008, over 200 launch brands exhibited on the show floor at ASR January making ASR a proven resource for previewing and buying the hottest new lines from breakout brands.

While at ASR spend time at the skate ramp to see what are the athletes rooted in the sport wearing? Attend a movie premier, what boards are the surfers riding? Stop by the ASEC green room and understand the latest environmental campaign and what brands are advocating for it. These tangible experiences of interacting with the action sports community while at ASR can be of immeasurable value to your business.

Brand to Brand Comparisons and your Bottom Line

The unique format of a tradeshow affords you the opportunity to make brand to brand product comparisons. It provides you visibility to the variety of brands, looks and styles available for your shelf space to ensure you are providing the best product mix for your core and emerging customer groups. This also allows you to compare product margins, discounts and marketing support to ensure the products you stock are yielding the best possible bottom line. Having this vital product information available to you during product selection will simplify your inventory decision process.

Heard From the Show Floor - Check out what some of the industries top retailers have to say about ASR:

"ASR has always been important for fostering relationships and continuing camaraderie in our industry. In tough economic times ASR had managed to bring together legacy brands, emerging brands and the world of skate through the arrangement of ASR, Class and Crossroads. As a retailer it is essential to continue the connection to brands and their leaders."
Danny Keith CEO/Founder SKATEBOARDS.COM, SURFBOARDS.COM, SNOWBOARDS.COM Santa Cruz Skate and Surf Shop

“For me ASR is a “Must Attend” tradeshow where I have been able to find fresh new product from start up brands that may not have an opportunity to debut their lines in the Southeast. Additionally ASR allows me to preview my core volume brands early enough to get a jump start on pre-book deadlines and take advantage of any margin building show specials.”
Chris Turck, Owner - XLR8, Orlando, FL

“We attend ASR January to add fall and winter lines and expand on our brands of outerwear and accessories. ASR has been really useful to see so much footwear, accessories and soft goods. We’re writing a bunch of eyewear orders at ASR (January 2008).”
Sidney Jensen, Head Buyer -Mountain High Resort’s, Victorville, CA

“This is my first time at ASR January. ASR gives me the chance to speak to my manufacturers directly. I always pick up something new at ASR – always get something from the vibe.”
Marc D’Emilia, Owner - Coast-to-Coast, White Plains & Long Island