Pictured above: Ricky Carroll. The 2023 Florida Shape Off at the January edition of Surf Expo will be in honor of Bill “Holmesy” Holmes.
Orlando, Fla. (November 23, 2022) – Surf Expo, the world’s premier watersports and beach lifestyle tradeshow, is preparing to host another blockbuster gathering at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on January 4-6, 2023.
The January event is known for its hardgoods offering, and the upcoming show does not disappoint. Surf Expo is hosting a plentiful roster of established and up-and-coming surf hardgoods, wetsuits and accessories brands including:
Lost, Firewire, Sharp Eye Surfboards, Misfit Shapes M/SF/T, Rusty Surfboards, Hayden Shapes, Slater Designs, WRV, Ricky Carroll Surfboards, Savage Surfboards, Tahe, Vissla Wetsuits, Xcel Wetsuits, Leashlok Hawaii, and many more.
Retailers who specialize in surf hardgoods say they are excited to take advantage of the wide selection.
“We’re super stoked that hardgoods companies are supporting the winter show,” said Kim Ball, owner of Hi-Tech Surf Sports in Hawaii. “Hardgoods have been the cornerstone of our business since we opened in 1982. The winter Surf Expo show is the only tradeshow our surfboard buyer ever attends. It’s a great chance for him to touch product and talk story with the companies.”
Surfboard maker WRV is returning to the show this January, and is looking forward to meeting new customers and re-connecting with existing ones.
“Our team is stoked – we are hearing Surf Expo continues to pick up lots of energy after the pandemic,” WRV Partner LG Shaw said. “We’re excited to get back to Orlando with everyone.”
Keeping with the surf hardgoods theme, The Florida Shape Off at Surf Expo this January will be in honor of Bill “Holmesy” Holmes. The shape off is an annual surfboard shaping contest and exhibition that promotes the craft of by-hand surfboard shaping.
Holmes was a well-known shaper in South Florida with a top-notch surf team at a time when that area did not boast a lot of influential shapers.
The total prize purse for this year’s Florida Shape Off is $3,500, with the overall winner netting $2,000 in addition to a Surf Expo booth at an upcoming show.
“We at Surf Expo understand that surf hardgoods are the bedrock of the surf business, and always look for ways to support surf brands anyway we can,” said Roy Turner, Surf Expo SVP and Show Director. “We are excited to host such a wide range of up-and-coming and established surf brands at the January show.”
About Surf Expo
Surf Expo is the largest and longest running watersports, beach and resort lifestyle tradeshow in the world. Produced twice annually in January and September, Surf Expo draws buyers from stores across the United States, the Caribbean, Central and South America and around the world. The show historically features hundreds of apparel and hardgoods brands and a full line-up of special events, education opportunities and awards ceremonies. Surf Expo is a trade-only event. Visit www.surfexpo.com for more information about the upcoming show January 4-6, 2023, in Orlando, Fla.
About Emerald
Emerald’s talented and experienced team grows our customers’ businesses 365 days a year through connections, content, and commerce. We expand connections that drive new business opportunities, product discovery, and relationships with over 140 annual events, matchmaking, and lead-gen services. We create content to ensure that our customers are on the cutting edge of their industries and are continually developing their skills. And we power commerce through efficient year-round buying and selling. We do all this by seamlessly integrating in-person and digital platforms and channels. Emerald is immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. As true partners, we create experiences that inspire, amaze, and deliver breakthrough results. For more information, please visit emeraldx.com.
Media Contact
Amy Dufour
Marketing Manager, Surf Expo
[email protected]
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