Board & Waves Expo Founder Dave Seehafer. Photo: Steindler
Dave Seehafer has been hard at work developing a consumer surfboard expo on the East Coast called Board & Waves Expo. Last spring he hosted his first event in Daytona Beach, Florida and based on initial feedback decided to do it again this year, but moved the venue to Cocoa Beach and moved the dates to April 17–18. Seehafer says he’s expecting the event to be very well-attended, and hopes that by hosting these types of expos he’ll be able to help board builders in the area connect with their customers face-to-face. TransWorld Business caught up with Seehafer to see how things are going in the final stages of preparation. Here’s what he had to say:
When and why did you decide to launch Board & Waves Expo?
After attending the first Sacred Craft, I moved to Florida. Ricky Carroll and I were sitting in his shaping room talking about the success of the show, and decided that the East Coast needed its own version to support surfboard shapers.
How was the first show received, and what did you learn from that experience?
The first Boards & Waves Expo was held in Daytona Beach on the same weekend as an amazing hurricane swell. Over 60 exhibitors and 1500+ consumers attended the Expo, proving that the East Coast has plenty of demand and support for a consumer surfboard show.
What new features and plans are in store for the show coming up in a couple of weeks?
The Expo has a new home in Brevard County—the East Coast surfing capital and birthplace of Kelly Slater. In addition to local, regional, and national surfboard shapers, we’re adding Stand-Up Paddle, expanded the beach and surf-inspired art section (Drew Brophy, Damien Share, Hunter Glass & Design, & more), added fin and surf/skate accessory manufacturers as well as educational seminars, and plenty of product giveaways and raffle prizes. This year, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Surfrider Foundation and the Cocoa Beach High Surf Team.
How many exhibitors are you expecting?
This year, we’ve grown to over 70 expected exhibitors.
From an attendance standpoint, how many visitors do you expect to host?
Based on last year’s response, along with significantly increased marketing efforts, we’re expecting over 2,000 stoked consumers for the weekend.
Why do you feel these types of consumer surfboards expos are valuable to both board builders and the public?
Today’s surf consumer is in desperate need for information. There are so many board designs, shapes, and performance features that many are totally baffled and confused. These Expos hopefully give the consumer the unique opportunity to talk directly with the shapers and craftsmen on everything about a surfboard. Hopefully, this knowledge gives the surfer increased confidence to walk into a surf shop, buy a new board, and catch a lot of great waves!
Are you allowing exhibitors to sell product and if so, how have local retailers responded?
The goal of the Expo is education first and foremost, while supporting product sales to the local retailers. Retail buyers from all over the state have been invited to the Expo. Some of the young shapers and new brands don’t have any distribution in the local shops. In these cases, product sales (at full retail pricing) may happen on a case-by-case basis.
What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced hosting these shows?
Dealing with a tough economy and a confused market have been the biggest challenges. Without surfboards, there’s no lifestyle and no industry so I’m trying to support the shapers any way that I can.
What’s been the greatest success so far?
The biggest success has been the overwhelming support from the local communities, Chamber of Commerce, tourism board, Space Coast Sports, and more. The sport of surfing, the local shops and shapers, and the impact on a tourism economy are very important in this area of Florida. The continued growth of the Boards & Waves Expo will help all of these elements.
