360 Adventure Collective Kicks Off Winter Show Season With Successful Southeast Show
360 Adventure Collective, the trusted member association that has brought focused, regional events for sales reps and retailers for over 30 years, kicked off its Winter Show Season with its Southeast Winter Market show in Greenville, South Carolina November 18- 21. The show, which moved from a 3-day event to a 4-day event, surpassed last year’s attendance numbers for exhibitors, retailers and buyers. Buyer attendance increased over 50% validating the show’s successful format, easily accessible central location and timing that is beneficial to vendors and buyers.
“This was our first 4-day show,” notes Debbie Motz, Executive Director of 360 Adventure Collective. “Having a 24% increase in exhibitors, 43% increase in retailers and a 54% increase in buyer attendance reassures we’re making the correct adjustments to meet the needs of retailers and provide them the best format to review and place their preseason orders on time.”
360 Adventure Collective will host its first New England show for the winter season on December 9-12 in Worcester, Massachusetts. The New England Winter Market Show, which is completely sold out, will represent over 320 brands. Formerly hosted in Boxboro, the current venue provides a much larger space, allowing the number of exhibiting brands to double. This show provides a unique opportunity for retailers to conduct comprehensive product line reviews for next season in a local, intimate and professional setting. The New England Winter Market show is timed to support order deadlines for fall and winter soft goods and footwear.
“This is the kick-off to our seasonal retailer sell-in strategy of ‘see it, try it, buy it’, for the Alpine ski and specialty Outdoor shops”, notes Motz. “We’re reinforcing our strategy of providing a structured show schedule that allows for buyers to see and demo different product categories, like soft goods, equipment and accessories at the most appropriate times and venues.”
In January, the Collective will return to the mountains of Pico Mountain in Vermont. Attendees will have the chance to ski/ride on their own private mountain as Pico Mountain will be closed to the public for the first day of the demo. The Collective decided to expand the On Snow Demo’s and will host a second event, Feb 11 at 12 at Waterville Valley in New Hampshire. Because of the convenience and low cost for retail participants, organizers are anticipating an increase in attendance and expect 400+ attendees at each venue.
Interested retailers can still register for these events online. On Snow participants are strongly encouraged to complete an on-line liability release prior to arrival. Liability releases can be completed online here.
EORA (Eastern Outdoor Reps Association) and NESR (New England Sports Reps) united in 2017 to create 360 Adventure Collective, a greater organization boasting a combined 40 years of success in connecting the most comprehensive offerings in outdoor and ski apparel, footwear, accessories and hard goods to the industry’s retailers who matter the most. By hosting smaller, more conveniently located expos and markets than the national alternatives, 360 Adventure Collective is the traveling sales rep’s most trusted support system for maximizing connections with retailers and vendors. 360 Adventure Collective has over 675 members with 14 annual shows, and services over 2,900 retailers.
