The SIA Snow Show is still more than two months away, and winter is still a month off itself, but already the annual industry trade event is poised to sell out. Predictions of a bad winter is good news for the snow sports industry, which expects to draw more than 19,000 attendees including snow sport suppliers, retailers, reps, athletes and professionals from around the world to the Colorado Convention Center in Denver for the January 26-29 event.
The Snow Show, which sold out in booth space last June, will feature over 900 snow sports brands throughout over 330,000 sq. ft. square feet of exhibit space including 96 new exhibitors, which are brand new to the Show or returning after taking a hiatus.
For a third year, following the Show, the industry will pack-up and head out to the On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest (Jan. 30-31) at Winter Park Resort and Devil’s Thumb Ranch. The On-Snow Demo is also showing growth with hotels being nearly sold-out and pre-registration trending ahead of last year with a 36% increase in retail shops that will attend the Demo for the first time.
During the two-day event, snow sports retailers and media test out gear and accessories they just previewed at the Show including ski, snowboard, Nordic, AT, telemark and backcountry products while other attendees get time on snow and hang with industry friends during parties, gatherings and events hosted by SIA. The alpine/snowboard/AT/backcountry portion, held at Winter Park will host the Uphill/Downhill Challenge, Office Booyz & Girlz Competition, 2 Mile High BBQ at the Sunspot and of course après happy hours around the Winter Park Village on Monday.