Surf Expo is a can’t-miss destination for 9,500-plus retail storefronts and 1,000+ manufacturers from around the world. Surf Expo is where trends from the industry’s top and newest brands debut, all in the same place, all at the same time. They understand Surf Expo gathers newsworthy decision makers, from the CEOs of the largest publicly traded companies to the owners of the most important stores and upstart brands.

Working Media registration will open in October 2023.

After this date, you must register on site at the show during media registration hours at the Orange County Convention Center, during published registration hours.

A media representative will be on-site to review and qualify registering media. While the show is convenient and interesting to the residents of the surrounding communities, Working Media badges will only be granted to those providing the above defined credentials. Additionally, travel to the show does not guarantee admittance.

Types of Press/Media Badges

Working Media

Surf Expo is open to qualified trade and consumer-focused media outlets including print, TV, radio and online outlets that cover industries that Surf Expo serves (boardsports, fashion, swim and resort markets). To ensure a business environment on the show floor, only representatives of these media outlets such as writers, photographers and editors with an editorial assignment to cover the show for a qualified media outlet will be granted Working Media badges.

Please Note: YouTube, Facebook, Twitter sites, personal blogs, forums, crowd sourcing sites and users groups will not be considered for Working Media accreditation.

Media Sales

Advertising sales representatives selling advertising, publishers, producers, marketing staff of qualified media outlets will not be admitted to the show as Working Media but can apply to purchase a Media Sales badge for $300 per badge. Promotion companies, Social Media agencies, Marketing or PR agencies and Advertising/Branding agencies also will not be admitted to the show under any circumstances without exhibiting.

Registration Criteria

Working Media- Magazine and Newspaper Editorial Staff
(Please provide at least 2 of the credentials listed below).

To apply to attend Surf Expo as Working Media, you must upload two (2) of the following acceptable credentials by September 1, 2023. Beginning September 2, 2023, all documentation must be presented on-site. If proper credentials are not presented on-site, you risk being denied access.

A scanned copy of the publication masthead including your name and title
A scanned copy of original bylined editorial work, showing coverage within the boardsports/resort space, from the last three months
An email or scan of original letter on assigning publication’s letterhead from assigning editor or news director with a writing assignment detailing a specific coverage assignment at the show

Publishers and Producers

Publishers and Producers are welcome to attend, but will need to do so with a Media Sales badge which is available for $300. To apply to attend Surf Expo as Media Sales, you must upload two (2) of the following acceptable credentials by September 1, 2023. Beginning September 2, 2023, all documentation must be presented on-site. If proper credentials are not presented on-site, you risk being denied access.

TV Crews, Reporters, Cameras / Photo Editors / Technicians
(Please provide at least 2 of the credentials listed below)

A station issued, current Press photo I.D.
A business card from a major TV network reflecting your editorial role.
Business card from your media outlet reflecting your editorial role
A letter from the news director or assignment editor on station/network letterhead saying that you have been assigned to represent the organization in an editorial capacity at Surf Expo. Coverage must be done independently and not solicited by exhibiting companies.

Photo Editors

Photo Editors are required to provide a letter from the news director or assignment editor on station/network letterhead saying that you have been assigned to represent the organization in an editorial capacity at Surf Expo. Coverage must be done independently and not solicited by exhibiting companies. Without an assignment, you will not be approved for a Working Media badge.

Freelance and Contributing Writers and Photographers (Please provide both of the following)

A scanned or linked examples of your published, editorial work in assigning publication with bylined coverage within the outdoor space, in the last three months.
An email or scan of original letter on assigning publication’s letterhead from assigning editor or news director with a writing assignment detailing a specific coverage assignment at the show.

Photographers are required to provide a letter from the news director or assignment editor on station/outlet/publication letterhead saying that you have been assigned to represent the organization in an editorial capacity at Surf Expo. Coverage must be done independently and not solicited by exhibiting companies. Without an assignment, you will not be approved for a Working Media badge.

Websites/Blogs (Please provide both of the following)

A scanned copy or link to original bylined editorial work showing coverage within the boardsports/resort space from the last three months
A monthly traffic report from an external demographic tool, like Google Analytics, verifying the site or blog gets a minimum of 5,000 or more unique monthly visitors (UMVs).

The web publication must be a previously established, independent site that is updated at least biweekly with original and industry-related news. The site must have a proven track record showing coverage of the boardsports/resort space for at least 1 year.

For questions or more information contact: marketing@surfexpo.com

Working Media Registration