News & Information

SIMA Green Boot Camp Registration Is Now Open

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. (March 24, 2010) – Registration is now open for SIMA Green Boot Camp, presented by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA). The event will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, Calif. The half-day event, with support from Coast Law Group, will consist of two seminars and a panel discussion. Green Boot Camp will begin with a group breakfast at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at noon.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and the SIMA Educational Committee, we are proud to present the third annual SIMA Green Boot Camp,” said Doug Palladini, SIMA President and VP of Marketing for Vans.  “As members of the surf industry, it is our obligation to learn and practice sustainability strategies that will preserve not only our oceans, but the livelihood of our businesses. SIMA Green Boot Camp will help answer how we as the surf industry can deliver effective sustainability solutions both internally at our companies, and externally with other organizations around us.”

The first seminar of the morning, “‘Greenwashing:’ Avoiding the Pitfalls and Finding the Real Path to an Earth-Friendlier Business,” will be presented by presented by Adam Mott/Corporate Sustainability Manager, The North Face. Mott will discuss a variety of tips for what really moves the dial in terms of making a difference environmentally. He will also emphasize the reality of what it means to truly run a sustainable business across the board, including your carbon footprint, product development, production, marketing and more.

Switching topics from a company’s internal sustainability efforts to their external environmental outreach efforts, the second seminar of the day will be “What Really Matters: How to Develop Effective Outreach Strategies.” With a variety of opportunities available to companies, it strikes us that we often wonder what types of involvement really makes an impact on the environment and to the organizations on the front lines of sustainability. In a world of “every little bit counts” sometimes you wonder, really, does this little bit actually count? As a part of one of the surf industry’s largest environmental organizations, Matt McClain/Director of Marketing and Communications for the Surfrider Foundation will share tips and examples on developing the most effective outreach strategies.

Green Boot Camp will conclude with a panel discussion titled “Surf Industry Innovators.” Several brand representatives will present brief case studies that take a look at innovative and successful environmental initiatives in our industry. From product design, to marketing and sales, to internal efforts, a variety of current best practices among surf industry brands will be highlighted in this panel discussion. Moderated by Palladini, the panelists will include: Roian Atwood/Manager of Environmental Affairs, Sole Technology; Mike Gass/Senior Product Line Manager, Ocean Minded; Derek Sabori/General Manager, V.Co-Logical Society Environmental Affairs Division, Volcom; Jeff Wilson/Vice President Sustainability Programs, Quiksilver; and Hurley.

Registration for Green Boot Camp is now open and the deadline to register is April 2, 2010.  Registration materials can be found at www.sima.com/bootcamp.aspx.  Pricing includes breakfast, two seminars and a panel discussion, and is $175 for SIMA members and $275 for non-SIMA members.  Space is limited and on a first-come-first-served basis, with first priority given to SIMA members. There will be no refunds after April 2, 2010.  For questions please contact Shannon Park, SIMA Event Manager, at shannon@sima.com or 949.366.1164 x2. 

In its third year, SIMA Boot Camps are educational and intimate seminars that aim to provide valuable business tips and tools to help SIMA member companies improve a variety of daily business operations. The Boot Camp seminar topics change from Boot Camp to Boot Camp with the goal of reaching a variety of employees and departments within SIMA member companies.  All levels of employees from any department who would benefit from the educational seminars and industry networking time are encouraged to attend. Visit www.sima.com for more information on upcoming 2010 Boot Camps and registration materials as they become available.

The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is the official working trade association of more than 300 surf industry suppliers. Founded in 1989, SIMA is a non-profit organization that serves to promote awareness of the surf industry and participation in the sport of surfing through public relations efforts and a variety of services, educational programs and research. In addition, SIMA actively supports oceanic environmental efforts through its 501(c)(3) charitable environmental foundation, the SIMA Environmental Fund. In the past 21 years, SIMA's Environmental Fund has raised more than $4.9 million for environmental groups seeking to protect the world's oceans, beaches and waves. The SIMA Humanitarian Fund, also a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, was established in 2006 to award grants to various surf or boardsport related social and humanitarian non-profit organizations whose efforts are focused on improving the quality of life, health and/or welfare of people.  For more information on SIMA, please visit www.sima.com. Follow us at Twitter.com/SIMA_SURF.

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