California Apparel News

Court Overin, show director for Action Sports Retailer Trade Expo (ASR) and vice president of VNU Expositions’ sports group, died Nov. 11 surrounded by his family at San Clemente Hospital in San Clemente, Calif., according to Carson Stanwood of Stanwood and Partners Public Relations. The cause of death was respiratory failure due to pulmonary fibrosis. Overin was 43.

Overin’s six-year term at Laguna Beach, Calif.-based ASR, a premier bicoastal trade show for buyers and sellers of youth lifestyle apparel, began in 1995 when he was hired to manage national sales for the sports division of VNU Business Media, which organizes five trade shows, including the Outdoor Retailer and Interbike shows, and operates a variety of trade publications. Overin was promoted to ASR show director in February 1998 and accepted the position of VNU Sports Group vice president two years later.

VNU Expositions announced that ASR Group vice president David Loechner, who served as ASR show director prior to Overin’s arrival, will temporarily fill that position.

Overin was well-respected and well-liked within the action sports industry, and many said they were shocked by the unexpected news.

“No one can ever be prepared for the unexpected tragedy of losing a colleague and a friend,” said Loechner. “Court was a very important member of our ASR family. He earned the respect of everyone here in this office and in the action sports market, without exception. He inspired me and brought out the best in everyone. He was driven to exceed every customer’s expectationhellip;. He will be greatly missed.”

During his tenure at ASR, Overin contributed to the show’s diverse mix of surf, snow and skate brands by bringing together board-sports manufacturers and clothing retailers, which led to the late 1990s boom in action sportswear. Taking his cue from the latest youth trends, Overin helped incorporate the skateboard industry into his show by working closely with the International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC) to recruit skate companies and accommodate the then-burgeoning streetwear market. He also made new additions to the show in recent years, including the skateboard “neighborhood.”

Overin was considered by many to be a visionary who was responsible for branding youth culture and lifestyle. He combined many aspects of both, taking youth culture to a higher level in the trade-show arena.

“We had the most successful show in the company’s history through his leadership and guidance,” said Lori Jenks, ASR’s director of operations and senior show manager.

“He was very instrumental in helping ASR find an identity.”

According to longtime friend and business associate Bob Hurley, chief executive officer of Hurley International, Overin was well-respected in the industry because he understood the differences between skate, snow and surf labels. “Overin knew the market needed to change in order to accommodate those interests,” Hurley said. “He saw the future of our industry—he was leading us there.”

Perhaps Overin understood where the industry was going because he understood where it had been. In the late ’80s, Overin worked as a national sales manager at Ocean Pacific until he left the Irvine, Calif.-based company to become the publisher of Surfer magazine in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., directing the business side of the publication from 1990 to 1995. Overin’s former co-workers there said he didn’t have any prior journalism experience, only a love of the sport and a commitment to the team of employees.

“The good thing about Overin was he never lost sight of the surfing lifestyle,” said Surfer editor Sam George, who worked briefly with Overin and later became his surf partner at favorite locales, including Trussels in San Clemente and exotic locations in Fiji and Hawaii. “Being dedicated to something you’re passionate about is important, especially as you get older. Aside from his family, he dedicated a lot of his life to the sport and still managed to balance his business endeavors—which, to me, shows a lot about his dedication to the sport.”

Overin remained an avid surfer until he became ill, according to Hurley, who said Overin chose not to tell many people about the extent of his illness.

“Court was certainly a born leader who had roots in the sport of surf,” said Lunada Bay CEO Susan Crank, who first worked with Overin at Ocean Pacific when she served as executive vice president of women’s divisions, and then again later on when both were involved in Surf Industry Manufacturers Association’s (SIMA) Environmental Fund to raise money for ocean preservation.

“He was very active with the organization, putting in the long hours and being selfless for the greater good,” Crank said.Hurley called Overin “a rare find in life,” adding, “He was my very good friend and I will miss him tremendously.” Overin is survived by his wife, Michelle, and three children: Natasha, 7; Colton, 5; and Luke, 2. Funeral services will be held Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 200 E. Avenida San Pablo, San Clemente. For information on the services, please call (949) 492-6164. To make a donation to the Overin Family Trust, write to Overin Family Trust c/o ASR Trade Expo, 310 Broadway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 or call (949) 376-6210. —Claudia Figueroa