Surf Summit

Each year, questions and other important issues facing the surf industry are addressed at the surf industry’s annual conference, Surf Summit, held in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The goal of the four-day, three-night Surf Summit is to learn, share ideas, network and help shape the future of the surf industry.

This year, SIMA is joining forces with the Board Retailers Association (BRA) to co-present Surf Summit 13, which will result in one event that will truly encompass and showcase the entire surf industry. With a larger manufacturer and retailer presence and a stronger representation of the industry’s top leaders, Surf Summit 13 will be a more complete union of the tribe. Read more about the union here. 

Surf Summit attracts more than 400 attendees consisting of the key players from the main surf brands and retail shops each year. Attendees include CEOs, presidents, VPs of marketing and sales, surf retailers and more from a broad spectrum of SIMA member, BRA members and surf industry companies.

At past Surf Summits, attendees pack the seminar rooms each day, and there is never a shortage of social surfing and networking time! 

SURF SUMMIT 13
Presented by SIMA & BRA

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR SURF SUMMIT 13!
<Click HERE for the Surf Summit 13 registration packet>
To receive the Surf Summit 13 registration form, please contact Shannon Park.

Surf Summit 13 Speakers:

TOM KELLEY / General Manager of IDEO design and development firm – Tom will speak on innovation management in thinking, products, and processes. His presentation will detail how-to foster a culture of creativity and develop processes for continuous innovation. 

BLAKE MYCOSKIE / Founder & Chief Shoe Giver, TOMS Shoes - Blake will share his insight on how giving not only feels good, but is good for business. Learn what it is like to operate a company where for every shoe that is purchased by a customer, another shoe is donated to a child in need. One for One. Gain motivation and insight into how your company can benefit from and contribute to others through cause marketing.

MANUFACTURER PANEL / On day one, a panel of manufacturers will field questions submitted by retailers about the state of the manufacturing business in the surf industry.

RETAILER PANEL / On day two, we’ll examine the state of surf industry retail as our retailer panel will answer questions submitted by manufacturers.

SUSAN ERSHLER / A former fortune 500 company exec who climbed all seven summits including Mount Everest in 2002 - Sue's presentation "Reaching New Heights" is both motivational and sales oriented, appealing to both retail and manufacturer audiences.

STEVE RIZZO / Bestselling author of Becoming a Humor Being - Steve's presentation includes Atti-Tools for Success, understanding the power of choice, the power of your thoughts and the power of your humor being. 

More information coming soon.

Surf Summit 13 Sponsors

Premier Sponsors:  

Event Sponsors:  

Supporting Sponsor:

Surf Summit Photo Gallery

Click here to see photos from past Surf Summits!

Previous Speakers

SIMA has gone to great lengths each year to deliver even stronger seminars and presentations that will help you strengthen your business. Topics have ranged from youth trends specific to surf brands to leadership development to surf-specific analysis of emerging markets, all thoroughly examined and addressed by an impressive lineup of experts from both within and outside of the industry.

Previous speakers have included:    

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. // Environmentalist   
Guy Kawasaki // former Apple Computers brand evangelist  
Yvon Chouinard // Environmentalist and founder of Patagonia, Inc.    
Ken Schmidt // former communications director, Harley-Davidson  
Tony Hawk // Skate Legend and Entrepreneur   
Tom Campion // Zumiez   
Kathleen Gasperini // Label Networks, youth market research expert   
Chris Stiepock // General Manager, ESPN X-Games    
Eddie Brown // Nike Sports Marketing   
Gonzalo Perez // MTV, youth market reseach expert
John Moore // former marketing guru for Starbucks Coffee
Tony Hsieh // CEO, Zappos.com
Kevin Carroll // one of the masterminds behind the Livestrong bracelet
Kevin Kelley // Shook Kelley, brand identity specialist
Rob Cohen // Hollywood Director, youth-oriented action films 
Shaun Tomson // Surf Legend
Michael Tomson // Industry Legend
Steve Pezman // Publisher and Industry Legend