WWSRA Cuts Show Schedule
Western Winter Sports Reps Association supports new buy/sell cycle.
Edited by John Stouffer
(7-20-98)

(Press Release, July 20)—In response to SIA's call for industry-wide cooperation to improve the buy/sell cycle, the Western Winter Sports Reps Association (WWSRA) has taken the first few steps. SIA has called for a 60-day buy/sell cycle with introduction shows beginning no earlier than February 1 and with the buying (order writing) concluded no later than March 31. Subsequently, WWSRA has decided to reduce its 1999 show schedule by three shows-one in the Northwest and two in Southern California-which will bring all but one show within the proposed 60-day buy/sell season.

"Given the late announcement by SIA, it was difficult to make more changes to our 1999 show schedule," says Sandra Butterfield, WWSRA association director. "We had firm dates and facility locations before SIA began its review of the buy/sell process and announced its industry-wide call to action. As we go forward and plan our future dates, we can work further to support SIA's concept. We will do all that we can to cooperate and help make the buy/sell cycle more efficient for everyone involved. This is a step-by-step process."

The WWSRA Board of Directors, with the support of the Northwest regional reps, decided to reduce the number of shows in the Northwest territory. The Northwest schedule will now include only one trade show and one on-snow demo, both scheduled in the month of February.

"One of the reasons that the Northwest reps decided to cancel their Winter Market, previously scheduled in mid-March after the Vegas SIA show, was to encourage the buyers to write their orders earlier," says Larry Asay, WWSRA treasurer and Northwest rep for Lange/Dynastar.

In Southern California, two previous shows, both held in February, have been consolidated into one by combining the efforts of WWSRA and the Southwest Snowboard Reps Association.

"Both the reps and the retailers in the Southern California territory will benefit by bringing these two shows under one roof," says Steve Brock, WWSRA board member from Southern California. The WWSRA Board also elected to cancel the 1999 Southern California Winter Market, a regional wrap-up show also held after the Vegas SIA show.

"At this time, there isn't much need for a regional wrap-up show in Southern California," says Brock. "Due to the proximity of Vegas, most of our dealers attend the SIA show, so most of our business can be done there."

Founded in 1949, WWSRA is a non-profit trade association made up of sales reps in the winter-sports industry who live and travel a territory in the western United States. The mission of WWSRA is to produce timely, cost-effective regional shows for the sales reps who make up the association. WWSRA is committed to continually increasing the effectiveness of regional rep shows while keeping the cost to reps as low as possible. For more information about WWSRA or for a detailed show schedule, please call: (206) 284-0751.

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