PR: New Trends Revealed at ASR Trade Expo
(December 10, 1996)

Long Beach, Calif., Feb. 11-13, 1997

The high energy ASR Trade Expo blazes into Long Beach on Feb. 11-13, 1997 with the latest cutting-edge gear and apparel from surf, skate, snow, swim and directional fashion manufacturers. Now in its 44th season, the ASR Trade Expo will attract an estimated 20,000 manufacturers and retail buyers from throughout the U.S., as well as dozens of other countries worldwide.

Established in 1980, the Expo is a sold-out, closed-to-the-public trade convention where more than 750 leading manufacturers will showcase their Fall 1997 product lines in approximately 1,550 booths.

Over 9,000 retail buyers from an estimated 4,080 national and international specialty, chain, sporting goods and department stores will have three full days to preview the latest lines and meet face-to-face with the principals and designers from exhibitors such as Acme, Airwalk, Billabong, Cold As Ice, Echo, Gotcha, Mossimo, Oakley, O'Neill, Point Conception, Quiksilver, Reef Brazil, Rip Curl, Rusty, 8.5 Quake, and 100% Mambo, to name just a few.

The fastest-growing segment of the ASR Trade Expo is directional fashions - manufacturers such as JNCO, Parasuco, and Pepe Jeans - producing apparel not targeted to any specific sport. Juniors and skateboard equipment and apparel will also be important categories in Long Beach this February.

"No other sports- and fashion-related trade show in the country combines this much trend-setting innovation under one roof," says David Loechner, group trade show director.

"While the ASR Trade Expo is aimed at retail buyers, it regularly attracts over 300 journalists who attend to cover what will be hot next season." Among ASR Expo highlights:

ASR Expo and the MFI Retail Institute will present educational business and trend report seminars that provide retailers with valuable new business strategies for store design, sales training, and new technology.

ASR Expo Industry Reception in the ballroom of the Long Beach Convention Center, Feb.11, from 6 to 8 p.m.

ASR Vert Ramp demonstrations on a specially-constructed 12-ft. half-pipe. Spectacular trick riding by some of the sport's top professional and amateur skateboarders. Performances are scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday at 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.; and Thursday at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC) will provide an update on its campaign to create public skateparks nationwide.

The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA), which endorses the ASR Trade Expo, will announce plans for its next Waterman's Ball fund-raiser, May 10, 1997.

The ASR Trade Expo headquarters hotel is the Hyatt Regency Long Beach, located at 200 South Pine Avenue. There are over 2,000 hotel rooms within walking distance of the Convention Center, and there's a convenient free downtown shuttle service called the Long Beach Transit Runabout that stops at every block.

Expo hours are Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Thursday, Feb. 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The ASR Expo returns to San Diego, Sept. 5-7, 1997. The East Coast ASR Expo will take place in New Jersey's new $268 million Atlantic City Convention Center, Sept. 24-26, 1997. The ASR Trade Expo returns to Long Beach in 1998 on Feb. 7-9.

ASR, based in Laguna Beach, Calif., is a division of Miller Freeman, Inc., a subsidiary of United News & Media PLC. The telephone number is (714) 376-8144; fax-on-demand information is available at (714) 497-9035; for retailer pre-registration call (800) 486-6508; the web site address is http://www.asrbiz.com. Lori Jenks is trade show manager.

Contact:

Jeff Blumenfeld
Blumenfeld and Assoc.
203-656-3300
blumassoc.

David Loechner
ASR Trade Expo
714-376-8144

Editor's note: Working Media interested in pre-registering for the ASR Trade Expo should fax or mail their request with a business card to Jeff Blumenfeld, Blumenfeld and Associates, Inc., 397 Post Rd., Suite 202, Darien, CT 06820. Tel. (203) 656-3300; fax (203) 655-7710; e-mail blumassoc.