Sports Trade Expo Attendees Show Organizers What’s Hot

The Action Sports Retailer Trade Expo was in high gear over the weekend, as manufacturers displayed the latest in surf, skate and snow-related products at the Long Beach Convention Center.

The show, which ran Saturday through Monday, caters to the companies that target 11- to 34-year-olds who surf, skate, swim, ski or snowboard (or at least want to look like they do).

On opening day, the convention floor was lively, with many participants serving as unintentional models for the coolest looks. Loose jeans--but not as baggy as last year--were still plentiful, as were retro looks, such as capris and hip-huggers (not to mention capri hip-huggers) and polyesters and stretch fabrics. ASR could easily have snagged the Most Cargo Pockets Under One Roof award, had anyone cared to give one.

Show director Court Overin said Monday he was amazed at how attendees used accessories--from henna tattoos and body piercings to purple toenail polish and leopard skin sandals--to create unique looks. “And you know what? It looks good,” Overin said. “It would be a great runway show to be able to take these people and walk them.”

The show was swamped from the first day, with crowds of people waiting in line Saturday morning as organizers struggled with some minor mishaps.

At one point, lights went out in a section of Long Beach that included the convention center. Quickly, fluorescent backup lights switched on. And then the exhibitor booth lights brightened as the music came back on.

“It kind of created a concert effect,” Overin said. “Hands went up in the air and people started clapping.”

The mood continued into the evening when an industry party drew about 3,500 attendees to the upstairs ballroom.