Attendance Flat at Surf Expo
Attendance was flat at the Jan. 11–13 run of Surf Expo, the biannual swimwear trade show in Orlando, Fla., according to organizers.
Traffic was equal to that of the January 2001 show, according to show spokesperson Lori Kisner, who added that organizers and exhibitors were pleased with the show turnout in light of the current recession.
“Some people would call it flat, but considering the economic climate since Sept. 11, we call that a miracle,” she said.
Buyers were placing last-minute orders for Spring, as well as orders for some Summer goods, Kisner noted. “The climate for buying was strong because a lot of retailers are currently low on inventory due to conservative forecasting last year,” she said.
Kisner also said buyers were committing to orders now because there was speculation that manufacturers’ lower-than-normal production levels would cause inventory shortages in months to come.
About 824 swimwear manufacturers and companies attended the show, an increase of 53 exhibitors over the figure for last January’s edition.
New offerings at the show included “The Beach,” a separate area devoted to beach lifestyle accessories, and an increased men’s and women’s action sportswear–inspired swim area. —Claudia Figueroa
