Celebrating 20 Years of Uniting the Tribe
The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association's Twentieth Anniversary
In 2009 SIMA celebrated twenty years of service to the surf industry. Since SIMA's founding in 1989, there have been many highlights and triumphs. Through programs such as Surf Summit, Boot Camp, Board Builder pavilions and SIMA's two charitable funds – continually works to unite the tribe.
SIMA's Influence
Taking a look back over the past 20 years, here is what some of the industry's key players had to say:
Fernando Aguerre // International Surfing Association President & Co-Founder of Reef : "20 years of gathering the tribe through lows and highs…From an informal quarterly chat, to the current industry hub, SIMA is as special as the brands and individuals that built them. SIMA is all of us in the surfing industry, even if you are not a member of SIMA, SIMA works for you too."
Joel Cooper // ...lost, CEO: "SIMA was the brainchild of both Bob McKnight and Michael Tomson. SIMA was born to be the voice of the industry and to serve the best interests of its members. There are many people who have donated their time to serving SIMA over the last 20 years but there is one person I feel should be credited for the standing SIMA has today and he is Dick Baker."
Jesse Faen // Insight, President: "Insight has benefited greatly from SIMA's presence and industry services, and very much so from the Image Awards we have been fortunate to receive in the past couple years. These have really elevated the awareness of our brand within the US and beyond, and have encouraged more retailers to give us a chance to shine. Times are tough out there, but the shared knowledge and experience SIMA and its board have to offer really do offer support and a sense of community."
Dave Gilovich // Surfline, Executive Vice President: “SIMA has been an effective, influential and eloquent voice for the surf industry during two decades of unprecedented growth and prosperity. Thank you, SIMA, for your positive impact on our sport, our business and our ocean environment."
Candy Harris // Billabong / Tigerlily, Brand Director: “It’s an amazing honor to be a part of the SIMA Board and play a role in the future of our Industry. I think as a group SIMA has made a concentrated effort to bring in new blood with a fresh perspective, as well as acknowledge and support the women’s business. “
Tom Holbrook // Quiksilver, Executive Vice President: "It does not seem that long ago when Bob McKnight asked a bunch of us at ASR to meet in the lobby bar of the San Diego Marriott. We were all asking what is SIMA? What is this all about? From this interesting “introduction” of a small, concerned group of small surf manufacturers 20 years ago, it has been great to see the productive evolution of this organization. Dick Baker, the Waterman’s Ball, Laker play-offs during Surf Summit in Cabo, stop the toll road, and Fernando’s great event all come to mind when I think about SIMA and the key developments and great memories. Congratulations SIMA!”
Bob Hurley // Hurley, Founder & Chairman: "Twenty years ago, the founders of SIMA had a fantastic vision of what we could become. For the past ten years, Dick Baker and team have diligently inspired us to become not only "real" but sustainable global businesses. Action Sports has become a leading global industry...it is increasingly important, especially at times like this that retailers and manufacturers get together. Our mission should be to discuss innovative ways to inspire, to serve, and be vital to the kids for the future. Let's get together at Surf Summit. Let's celebrate our achievements, give out some awards, as well as explore moving the ball forward."
Bob McKnight // Quiksilver, CEO: “Many years ago, SIMA began out of a need to work more effectively with our tradeshow partners. We started in this industry because of our passion for surfing and the beach lifestyle. SIMA has done a tremendous job in sharing the real message of surf culture. I also thank Dick Baker and SIMA on their efforts with “stop the toll road”, the SIMA Environmental Fund, and helping us all “grow the pond.’’ Congratulations SIMA on 20 years!"
Bob Mignogna // Surfing Publishing Veteran: "I remember speaking with Bob McKnight in 1989 as he described the mainstream apparel industry’s trade association, which was working on issues related to denim manufacturing abroad, and how this association was providing a valuable service for its members, Quiksilver included. McKnight agreed with my thinking that if we wanted the surf industry to expand and provide greater opportunity than ever before, launching SIMA was a necessary and smart move, so he accepted the offer from Steve Pezman and I (SIMA’s Board Nominating Committee Chairmen) to serve as SIMA’s first President. Michael Tomson, Gotcha’s co-founder and SIMA’s first Vice-President and second President, created a much needed revenue stream with SIMA’s contractual endorsement of the regional trade shows. MT also created the Waterman’s Ball, which began SIMA’s charitable fundraising efforts. Over the years and now under the guiding hand of Dick Baker, SIMA has evolved from launching as a trade show centric group, to building the industry’s marketing platforms through public relations, industry research and competition surfing, to making a serious commitment to supporting the health of our ocean environment."
Tom Ruiz // Volcom, Vice President of Sales: "SIMA has been a valuable asset as the voice of the surf industry for the past 20 years. Members of SIMA have benefited since the inception. From the start they have been negotiating with the tradeshows and looking for ways to enhance the members' businesses. SIMA has also been the center stone for bringing “the tribes” together by creating a fun and educational venue each year at Surf Summit, and to most recently providing training Boot Camps for the brands and their employees. I admire the great effort SIMA has placed on giving back to the environment and to humanitarian causes through the Waterman’s Ball and the Liquid Nation Ball. Most importantly, SIMA has never deviated from their true main focus of achieving a broader awareness of the sport surfing. Surfing after all is what has brought us all to this dance."
Andy Tompkins // ASR Group Show Director: "SIMA has become an integral part of the action sports marketplace and serves a very important function of connecting manufacturers to advance the industry. Without SIMA’s numerous outreach, humanitarian, and environmental efforts I think it’s fair to say the industry would not be as large and influential as it is today. ASR looks forward to another 20 years of SIMA’s contribution to the surf industry."
Peter "PT" Townend // Former surfing world champion & former SIMA president: "The past decade under Dick Baker's leadership has seen the organization flourish since its humble beginnings in a Surf Expo meeting room at the end of the '80s."
Jonno Wells // Surfline, CEO: "Over the last few years Dick Baker, Paul Naude, and the entire staff of SIMA have shown epic leadership representing the member companies. SIMA has grown its contribution to members by enhancing the education, research, and events that raise everyone’s game. SIMA connects with the essence of what it means to be a surfer by honoring individuals and companies that make a difference. For Surfline, SIMA inspires us to give back to the sport, the ocean, and humanitarian causes that help us appreciate how lucky we are to live the dream."
John Wilson // Reef, former President: "SIMA's actions over the past 20 years have been instrumental in elevating our industry and uniting it! Through its proprietary educational, humanitarian and environmental programs, SIMA has been able to harness the collective wisdom of the industry in order to make it better. Thanks to all who have made SIMA what it is today and Happy 20th Anniversary!!!"
Monica Wise // L*Space, President & Founder: “SIMA offers so much to grass root brands such as L*Space providing information at the retail level, and true business facts in the surf market. The biggest impact we have felt was the push to shift trade shows according to the vendors' needs. I have stressed to many other fellow surf brands that aren’t current members the importance of being a SIMA member. Winning the SIMA Image Awards has opened many new doors for L*Space."
Richard Woolcott // Volcom, CEO & Founder: “SIMA has been the glue that has kept our industry together for many years. It has also helped create a special camaraderie between competitors that makes this industry so much fun to be a part of. Good work SIMA…thank you”