Surf Expo’s January 2021 moves forward with safety-focused in-person event

The Jan. 6-8, 2021 event in Orlando moves to the West Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center.

Surf Expo, the premier watersports and beach lifestyle tradeshow has announced its upcoming Jan. 6-8, 2021 show will take place in the West Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center, a shift from the North/South Hall where the show has been held previously.

Roy Turner, Surf Expo Show Director and senior vice president says, “Our top priority is to reunite the industry together safely. Our team is committed to creating an experience where we can safely and effectively conduct business.”

The West Concourse will provide space for social distancing plus multiple entry and exit points to the show floor, a more favorable floorplan, and easier move in and move out for exhibitors, according to Surf Expo.

At around 120,000 net square feet, the reduced footprint will allow for approximately 420 exhibitors with increased aisle space for distancing. While attendance is expected to decrease somewhat due to travel restrictions and store closures, the overwhelming response from retailers is that they need inventory, and want an in-person show, organizers say.

Retailers from all across the U.S. and Caribbean are registered to attend including Hi Tech Surf Sports, Maui, Hawaii; Sun Diego, Carlsbad California; K-Coast Surf Shop, Ocean City, Maryland; Archie’s Surf Shop, Grand Bend, Ontario; Coastal Edge, Virginia Beach; and Red Sail Sports, Aruba and Grand Cayman.

Allyson Catanzaro, buyer and boutique manager, La Playa Beach and Golf Resort in Naples, Florida, says she’s looking forward to attending Surf Expo to see vendors in person and to be able to touch and feel product. “Zoom calls have worked, but it doesn't replace the in-person contact.”

Jim Archibald, owner of Archie’s Surf Shop in Grand Bend, Ontario, says, “Surf Expo has been hugely instrumental in our success. Archies wouldn’t be the same without it.  We haven’t missed a winter show in 30 years. I don’t want to break the stretch.”

The January 2021 show will include the annual Florida Shape Off board shaping competition, live seminars, fashion shows, the Surf Expo Industry Party and happy hours.

“Our focus will be to conduct the show with safety at the forefront,” says Turner.

Surf Expo has a comprehensive preparedness, prevention and response plan in place, based on guidance issued by the by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and federal, state, and local governments.

“This plan is our commitment to providing assurance and confidence that our events have health and safety as our number one priority,” he adds.

Information about the show, including health and safety protocols are available at www.surfexpo.com.