New Rep Show For Swim, Surf Market
Taking a cue from rep shows such as the Cal Rep Show in Santa Cruz, Calif., show producer Shannon Leggett has announced plans for a SoCal Rep Show. Not affiliated with the 24-year-old Cal Rep Show, the SoCal Rep Show will feature 50 exhibitors during its Jan. 13–14 run at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach, Calif. The dates fall one week after the Agenda surf/skate/street show in Anaheim, Calif., and the Surf Expo show in Orlando, Fla.
Leggett, who from 2002 to 2008 produced Surf Expo’s on-site swim fashion shows, said the sudden demise of the Action Sports Retailer Trade Expo left brands looking for ways to connect with buyers. “There is still the need to bring buyers and swim and surf manufacturers together to do business—not necessarily in a traditional trade show setting but in a more scaled-down, back-to-basics rep show. It’s a sign of the times,” Leggett said.
Surf brands that have signed on to show apparel at the invitation-only show include Volcom menswear, RVCA womenswear, Rip Curl and Ezekiel. The majority of exhibitors are swim brands such as L*Space, Vix, Hobie, Tavik Swimwear, Made by Dawn, Trina Turk, Miss Me Swimwear, Reef, Hurley and Cia.Mariacute;tima. Leggett said he expects approximately 150 buyers from across Southern California to attend the show.
For more information, visit www.socalrepshow.com or call (213) 226-6924.—Erin Barajas
