Surf Expo September 2023 expecting 775-plus exhibiting brands

By Edited by Caroline Risi

The Sept. 7-9 event expands with a new Shoreline area watersports and coastal retailers.

Surf Expo returns to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando on Sept. 7-9 in the South Concourse with a bigger selection of brands and resources for its retail buyer base.

More than 775 exhibiting companies are expected to participate this September with a 20% increase in square footage compared to last year. Surf Expo is also forecasting its buyer attendance to climb by 30% with more than 5,000 qualified retailers expected at the show.

“Surf Expo’s strength lies in its culture, commerce and camaraderie,” says Emerald SVP and Surf Expo Show Director Roy Turner. “Three days in Orlando creates a valuable opportunity for our watersports, resorts and beach businesses to preview the spring summer ‘24 collections, discover new emerging products and trends and place orders for immediate product for those needing to fill in for the balance of Q4.”

Surf Expo also expands its footprint with watersports and coastal retailers with its new Shoreline offering. This new floor area complements neighboring product categories on the show floor — Surf, Skate, Paddle, and Bluewater — by targeting the business associated with recreation found along rivers and lakes. Shoreline will feature products related to day camping, portable power, inflatables, overland, wakeboard, SUP, and performance related clothing and footwear.

“From the trails to the lakes and beyond, Shoreline at Surf Expo supports the natural evolution of the waterman’s lifestyle with gear, apparel and accessories that will take them from coastal shoreline activities into camping, hiking, climbing and other recreational activities found along the rivers and lakes,” adds Turner.

A wide range of exhibitors have signed up for the September 2023 show, including: Hurley, Rip Curl, RVCA, O’Neill, Volcom, VISSLA, Skechers, Birkenstock, Jetty, Katin, Body Glove, Dark Seas, Psycho Tuna, Salty Crew, Slant Six, 4ocean, AVID, Aloe Up, Blowfish Malibu, Bimini Bay Outfitters, BN3TH, Boat House Apparel, Bogg Bag, Columbia OCS, DIFF, DCK Boardshorts, ELAN, Eidon, EXIST, Fahlo, Fish Hippie, Former, GLOBE, Guy Fox, Havaianas, HEST, Impala, Local Boy Outfitters, Lokal, Lost, Lotus & Luna, MANG, POP Board Company, Pukka, Pura Vida, QuintSoul, Rhythm, Rivvia, Ronix Wake, Rusty, Sand Cloud, Sisstr, Skye Swimwear, Sun Bum, Thread, Tori Richard, True Ocean, and many more.

“This will be True Ocean’s fourth year exhibiting at Surf Expo and it is one of our favorite shows,” says Darin Trimble, principal, True Ocean, LLC. “At Surf, we’ve built relationships with some of the world’s best retailers, including large resorts, cool surf shops, and higher end boutiques. Not to mention it’s a fun atmosphere with great brands and people.”

Psycho Tuna’s Vice President Patricia Thornton adds, “Since the launch of our brand in 2019, Surf Expo has always proven to be the best show as far as energy, attendance, new accounts, and orders taken at the show.”

Registration is open for Surf Expo September. Visit www.surfexpo.com for further show information.