California Apparel News

The Aliso Viejo, Calif.–based Surf Industry Manufacturers Association is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2009. The trade association has a membership of more than 300 surf-industry suppliers, including apparel and hardgoods brands, and works to promote awareness of the surf industry. The group also sponsors the most comprehensive research on the surf/skate retail community, with its third “Retail Distribution Study” set to be released later this year.

Currently, SIMA is gearing up for Surf Summit 12, the association’s annual south-of-the-border symposium. Set for May 6–9, 2009, in San Joseacute; del Cabo, Mexico, the summit will feature Volcom chief Richard Woolcott and Steve Murray, president of Vans and VF Corp.’s Action Sports Americas Coalition.

“This year, we will be taking a hard look at some of the economic, technological and current topics that have shaken our industry,” said Dick Baker, SIMA’s chairman emeritus. “There has never been a more important time to gather the tribe than in 2009. Surf Summit is the one time a year that the industry’s key business leaders can escape the daily grind and take a couple days to focus on the progression of the core surf industry into the future. I urge everyone to make a commitment to you, your business and the future of the industry by joining us and uniting the tribe at Surf Summit 12.”

During the Summit, SIMA will present the seventh annual Image Awards, which honor surf companies for outstanding contributions to the industry in a variety of categories. This year’s awards cover 15 categories, including Accessory Product of the Year, Environmental Product of the Year, Footwear Product of the Year, Surfboard Model of the Year, Wetsuit of the Year, Men’s Marketing Campaign of the Year, Men’s Apparel Brand of the Year, Men’s Boardshort of the Year, Men’s Retailer of the Year, Women’s Marketing Campaign of the Year, Women’s Apparel Brand of the Year, Women’s Swim Brand of the Year, Women’s Retailer of the Year, Breakthrough Retailer of the Year and Breakthrough Brand of the Year.

Atwater, Firewire Surfboards, Sanuk Footwear, Skullcandy and Von Zipper are nominated for Breakthrough Brand of the Year. Billabong, Hurley, O’Neill, RVCA and Volcom are nominated for Men’s Apparel Brand of the Year. The nominees for Women’s Apparel Brand of the Year are Billabong Girls, Hurley, Roxy, RVCA and Volcom Girls. The Women’s Swim Brand of the Year nominees are Billabong Girls, Hurley, L*Space, Roxy and Volcom.

For a complete list of Image Awards categories and nominees, visit www.sima.com.