ASR Blog

Camping scholarships for newbies in ME

This is a pretty fresh idea.  As kids and families across the country retrench into their homes and neighborhoods (and gas prices are doing the usual pre-summer rise), the progressive state of Maine has hit on a program partnership that is a great example of tough times bringing creative solutions.  Are there other programs like this out there?  My state (CA) seems to be blinded by a massive budget disaster and is likely to close or further limit access to our public open spaces. 

This summer we happen to be starting a pilot program at OR to scholarship twenty Eastern Paddlesports dealers into the show who have never been (at least in this millenium).  We think that by hosting them, and matching them up for a few hours over dinner with dealers who attend OR regularly, they will see how the show can improve their bottom line as well as their retailing acumen going into the crucial holiday and spring of 2010.  We're building networking events within the big event for each of several market groups during the show; climbing, endurance sports, design and sourcing, and the aforementioned paddle group. 

What new partnerships or outreach programs are you considering that is 'out of the box'?  Any successes to share?  One of the most critical roles the show plays is to set the stage for the flowing of new ideas and new ways to use new tools in the market. 

KH

Design innovation taking center stage at OR Summer

Doing deals, meeting friends and colleagues, developing key relationships among the hundreds of brands you do (and will do) business with, and sharpening your business acumen are some of the reasons you come to OR.  But tapping into the future of Design?  That is a relatively new development at the show, and one that will prove to drive the business into the future.... both by understanding the design sentiment of today's young designers, and by inspiring each other across categories and market segments.  All this is, of course, targeted at attracting the gen Y, millenial and next generation customers to pack their closets and garages with all of the good stuff the industry will produce as we round the corner on the first decade of the millenium. 

The design component of OR has been quietly building for decades, really, which is why over 90 brands at the show are displaying and selling not to retail, but to sourcing and design pros working in the industry for products that will hit retail in 2011-12.  No other show has this combination working, where finished goods meet suppliers in the same venue, at the same time.  This glimpse into the future can inform your business as you constantly evolve your selection to match the customer needs, which are changing as fast as technology can feed them.  Which is very fast, these days.

Paddlesports is a place where innovation in the past decade has spurred development on many fronts, from rudder systems to hull designs to paddle materials and even entire category development, like SUP (Stand-Up Paddle).  Wave Sport is using the design contest platform to unveil winning designs at the show, offering a sweet package to the creator of the top graphic treatment on one of their newest play boat designs.  Check it out Here.

KH