Highlights from January 2021 Surf Expo

Surf Expo, the largest and longest running watersports and beach lifestyle marketplace, successfully staged its winter event January 6-8, 2021 at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

Our goal was to create a secure, safety-first environment for the exhibitors and retailers who wanted and needed a marketplace to conduct business. In spite of many challenges, this goal was achieved. Based on feedback from both retailers and brands, we feel that the show was a success! While the overall size of Surf Expo January 2021 was less than half the size of the prior year’s edition due to the impact of COVID-19 along with restrictions in national and international travel, buyer to exhibitor ratios increased by 23% which drove significant improvements in overall exhibitor satisfaction. Exhibitor overall satisfaction scores from the January 2021 edition of Surf Expo increased by 63% over 2020.

Exhibitors and buyers echoed this sentiment:

“I was happy to be back at Surf Expo during a challenging year. Surf Expo consistently brings major vendors and new products to market, and it’s a must for our stores to be there!”

- Gabrielle Long, Buyer, Montauk Beach Store

Surf Expo

2021-03-01T18:10:04+00:00

- Gabrielle Long, Buyer, Montauk Beach Store

“I was happy to be back at Surf Expo during a challenging year. Surf Expo consistently brings major vendors and new products to market, and it’s a must for our stores to be there!”

https://surfexpo.com/testimonials/16013/

“Our best Surf Expo ever! The exposure to new domestic and international customers gave us the opportunity to open new accounts and write many orders. We exceeded our goals. The Surf Expo team created a safe environment for both the buyers and exhibitors during this unprecedented time we are all facing.”

- Billy Little, VP of Operations & Design, Le Club Original

Surf Expo

2021-03-01T18:02:28+00:00

- Billy Little, VP of Operations & Design, Le Club Original

“Our best Surf Expo ever! The exposure to new domestic and international customers gave us the opportunity to open new accounts and write many orders. We exceeded our goals. The Surf Expo team created a safe environment for both the buyers and exhibitors during this unprecedented time we are all facing.”

https://surfexpo.com/testimonials/billy-little-vp-of-operations-design-le-club-original/

“Surf Expo is an essential part of our yearly buying process. We are a ‘touch it, feel it’ retailer - nothing replaces that or the face-to-face relationships with our suppliers.”

- Jeremy Serwitz, Owner, PULL Watersports

Surf Expo

2021-03-01T18:10:28+00:00

- Jeremy Serwitz, Owner, PULL Watersports

“Surf Expo is an essential part of our yearly buying process. We are a ‘touch it, feel it’ retailer - nothing replaces that or the face-to-face relationships with our suppliers.”

https://surfexpo.com/testimonials/16014/

“Surf was different, but good. I saw people working right up until the end and heard that people got TONS done. We’ll get it back to bigger and more normal again, but for such a time as this, it was a fantastic (and safe) show.”

- Ryan Hewson, Owner, MOCEAN, Cape Cod, MA

Surf Expo

2021-03-01T18:09:28+00:00

- Ryan Hewson, Owner, MOCEAN, Cape Cod, MA

“Surf was different, but good. I saw people working right up until the end and heard that people got TONS done. We’ll get it back to bigger and more normal again, but for such a time as this, it was a fantastic (and safe) show.”

https://surfexpo.com/testimonials/16012/

“Surf Expo January show was AMAZING! We wrote a ton of business and worked more accounts than ever before! The show did a great job at keeping us all safe. We all felt very comfortable. Once again Surf Expo continues to be the BEST trade show around.”

- Patricia Thornton, VP, PSYCHO TUNA

Surf Expo

2021-03-01T18:09:06+00:00

- Patricia Thornton, VP, PSYCHO TUNA

“Surf Expo January show was AMAZING! We wrote a ton of business and worked more accounts than ever before! The show did a great job at keeping us all safe. We all felt very comfortable. Once again Surf Expo continues to be the BEST trade show around.”

https://surfexpo.com/testimonials/16011/

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Surf Expo

MEETING SAFELY
Building off the momentum of health and safety protocols and guidelines that were strictly implemented In November 2020 at the International Gift Exposition in the Smokies (IGES), Emerald developed a Surf Expo-specific health and safety plan that included safety precautions for exhibitors, attendees and staff. The plan aligned with Emerald’s Preparedness, Prevention & Response Plan.
Download Health & Safety Plan >

Surf Expo’s stringent health and safety measures included temperature screenings, the required use of face masks at all times, a larger registration area footprint, the addition of safety concierges, wider aisles with directional signage, floor stickers, hand sanitizing stations, and enhanced cleaning measures.

To view the January 2021 exhibitor list Click here >

To view the January 2021 floorplan Click Here >

To view show press coverage Click Here >