California: July 13, 2001
The Action Sports Retailer (ASR) BACK2SKOOL Trade Show is the latest event unveiled by ASR Trade Expo this past week; held by invitation only to exhibitors and retailers, the show will take place March 20 and 21, 2002 at the Waterfront Hilton in Huntington Beach; according to Court Overin, show director, the event is more than half-sold on the exhibitor side; about 120 booths have been allocated to around 50 companies, and to date, 70 have sold; manufacturer attendees include Hurley, Volcom, Reef, Element, Paul Frank and Stussy...Beverly Hills-based private-label manufacturer Retrospettiva Inc. announced it is ceasing operations and liquidating assets; the company, which produced its apparel in Eastern Europe—primarily in Macedonia—cited the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia and the civil war in Macedonia as factors in the decision to close; the company said in a statement that production had been disrupted by interrupted electrical power, water shortages and fighting within the cities that prevented employees from coming to work...Santa Fe Springs-based shoe and apparel manufacturer Vans Inc. has acquired a majority stake in the Vans Warped Tour as part of a transaction with Launch Media Inc., founders of the annual alternative music show; Launch will continue to operate the concert tour this year and will retain exclusive rights to sell sponsorship of the 2002 and 2003 tours.
