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Welcome to the new and improved AWSI!
The board of the AWSI has been busy since
Surf Expo in September. In an effort to promote growth in the Wind Sports
Industry, the board has elected not one, but two executive directors to
help build solidarity between the sports, the distributors, the
manufactures and the retailers.
The board is happy to announce that Darren Rogers and Charlie
Gioielli have accepted the Co-Executive Director Positions for the AWSI.
Darren has been a staple in the industry
having worked on the distribution side with Gaastra, Sailworks, and
Fanatic. You also know his efforts running the Gorge Cup, Calema Mid
Winters, US Open, Gorge Games and US Windsurfing Nationals. Darren
resides in the Gorge and owns High Gear, a custom manufacturer of
outerwear in the uniform business. Darren is an avid windsurfer.
Charlie Gioielli has 26 years experience
in distribution, retail sales, as as well as being a
manufacturer's rep. He resides in Houston
Texas, owns WSP Sports and has been
teaching windsurfing and kiteboarding since 1990. Charlie is an avid
surfer, kiteboarder and windsurfer.
The board's decision to have "co-directors" was based on the experience of the
directors. Darren has roots in the windsurfing and manufacturing/distribution side of our business, while Charlie's
experience is more
toward the retail and kiteboarding side of the business. The Co-Directors
will allow all the concerns and needs of our members to be addressed with
different points of view and provide immediate access.
Please expect contact
from Darren and Charlie thought the year, and feel free to contact them at
anytime. Their numbers and emails are listed below.
The goals of the AWSI are as follows:
- Build industry solidarity and get all the
manufactures, representatives and dealers to ONE TRADE SHOW in 2007.
- Compile and provide industry statistics to all
AWSI members
- Provide value to our members via discounts on
services, insurance and freight
- Communication with the members on a monthly
basis
Your association
dues are paid on an annual basis from March 1 to February 28.
Join
Today!
Industry Statistics
We have attached the 2006 and 2007
Kiteboard and Windsurf industry surveys for the Manufactures and
Distributors to complete and return. This is a preview of what will
be sent to you via a third party compiler. You can be assured that
your specific information will be kept confidential. Industry
Statistics is the number 2 goal of the AWSI members and we
appreciate your time and attention to this important request.
Compiled data will be made available to our Distributor -
Manufacturer members who participate in the study at no charge.
Accurate data and full participation is critical to the success of
this program. This will be an invaluable tool to determine what is
selling, whether the industry is growing (and in what categories),
help with forecasting from year to year and improve profitability
and margins over time.
We have the 2003 and 2004
industry survey statistics. Some interesting statistics from the
surveys include:
- Kite sales in 2003 represented 58% of participants surveyed, but
only 52% in 2004.
- Entry level windsurf boards represented 36%
boards sold in 2004, but only 22% in 2003.
- Wave Sails represent
between 26% and 30%, while Wave boards represent 8% to 14%
- There
was a 102% increase in skinny mast sales from 2003 to 2004
- Kite
unit sales increased 7% from 2003 to 2004
These statistics are available
to the participants of the survey at no charge. Please contact the AWSI
at
info@awsiwindsports.org with
requests.
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Whether
you’re shipping inbound to your store or business, or outbound
to your customers, the AWSI Freight Savings Plan can help you
save on shipping expenses. The program offers substantial
savings on select services with FedEx. You can save up to 26
percent on select FedEx Express® shipping and up to
25 percent on select FedEx Ground® shipping. In
addition, up to a 62 percent discount is available on select LTL
(less-than-truckload) services with FedEx Freight, backed by a
no-fee money-back guarantee.*
Substantial discounts on LTL shipping are available with
Roadway, New Penn and Central Freight Lines. If you’re headed
to Surf Expo, don’t forget that Roadway discounts also apply
to tradeshow shipping costs.
AWSI
Freight Savings Plan is a free benefit for AWSI members and
there are no minimum shipping quotas. For more information
please contact Siriani & Associates at 800 554-0005 or email
info@siriani.com.
* For eligible FedEx
services and rates, contact your freight savings program
provider, Siriani & Associates. See the applicable FedEx
Service Guide or FXF 100 Series Rules Tariff for terms and
conditions of service offerings and money-back guarantee
programs. FedEx service marks used by permission.
STAND UP AND
PADDLE!
By now, everyone has heard of this new sport,
not really new (beach boy surfing), but up and coming non the less. Typically a
Stand up paddle (SUP) surfer
does just that, stands on a surfboard and paddles around with a single
bladed paddle. SUP surfing can be done in 20' Hawaiian juice or 2' Texas
mush, and it a blast. When was the last time a buddy called you and said;
' Hey, it's 2' and going off, YOUR missin' it!". It's also great core
muscle group training, balance training and a fun way to motor around.
That being said, you don't even need a wave!
Many of our Manufacturer - Distributor
members have new products in the pipeline due out early summer of 2007.
Some just SUP boards and some hybrid SUP boards with mast foot attachment
points. Both of the large Epoxy Surfboard manufactures have multiple
models out or coming out in the next few months, and the general public is
scrambling around having boards made locally. The boards are retailing in
the $1500 range, with paddles retailing over $300.
Is this the next big thing? Many manufactures are
counting on it, and we as an industry should be embracing the possibility.
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AWSI Board of Directors
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AWSI Executive Directors
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The Association of Wind Sports Industries
(AWSI) is proud to represent the sports of
windsurfing and kiteboarding, and we are dedicated to the growth of the
wind sport industry.
The AWSI is the trade association
representing the business interests of manufacturers,
distributors, retailers, schools and sports in the wind sport
industries of windsurfing and kiteboarding.
Our primary goal is to provide trade-related information and
services to the members and to promote industry growth.
Association of Wind Sport Industries
Post Office Box 103
Hood River, OR 97031
Darren Rogers @ 541 490-7137
Charlie Gioielli @ 713 851-4405
Fax: 866.220.1530
info@awsiwindsports.org | |
Surf Expo is
the official tradeshow for the AWSI.
The number one goal of the AWSI this year is
bring everyone together at the Surf Expo in Orlando. We are working
hand in hand with the trade show personnel to make your experience a
profitable one.
Surf Expo has reserved 75 booths for the AWSI ,
and we have committed to filling the booths. As an AWSI distributor
member you receive a 13% discount from standard booth pricing. This
purchase is the main revenue stream for the AWSI and allows the
organization to do
things like the after show party, Demo Days, market research and
more .
Both the AWSI and Surf
Expo
have
committed resources to increase awareness and participation at the
on the water demos and industry party Monday night. The show floor
is for the 'business' part of your trade show experience, while the
demo's available to get granular with the design and use of the
products, meeting other association members and socializing at the
Industry's only party.
Retailers know Surf
Expo is the only place they can they shop all the top lines, network with industry peers,
attend business-building seminars and an exclusive product demo day.
Plus, as a Surf Expo exhibitor, you'll benefit from the cross-over
buying among the show's 7,000 registered retailers shopping for
surfboard, waterski and wakeboard and skateboards.
In an effort to be "earth
friendly", Surf Expo has put the entire Booth Space Application kit
on their website. It will be available to download after March 1.
BOOTH SPACE APPLICATION
Surf Expo can be reached at 678 781-7900
Our survey shows.... The retailers have
no need to come to the show if they don't have anything to
look at!
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AWSI
The AWSI board has voted to revise the
dues structure. The distributor - manufacturer members dues have been
reduced to allow for more resources to be spent at the Surf Expo
Tradeshow.
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Member |
Dues |
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Retailers
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$125 |
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MFG -
Distributors |
$500 |
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MFG -
Distributor w/Retail |
$600 |
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Publications |
$500 |
There will be separate benefits for our
Retail and Distributor - manufacturer members.
The AWSI is working hard to bring both our
retail and distributor - manufacturer members more benefits.
All retail members will
also have access to the Board Retailer's Association benefits,
including tradeshow programs, new
PowerPoint presentations from OTB to benchmarking budgets to
increasing website traffic, financial forms and worksheets,
marketing tips, and POS guidance.
We are also negotiating discounts with freight and CC
processors, computer manufactures, QuickBooks, health and liability
insurance and payroll processing..
Please watch for another email in the next
month. The new benefits are so extensive, they deserve a dedicated
enewsletter!
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