6 Questions With SIMA President Doug Palladini

josh hunter

• May 07 2009
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On April 30 SIMA announced its elected officials for 2009. Among those announcements came news that Doug Palladini, VP of Marketing for Vans was named President of the trade association. Transworld Business caught up with Palladini to congratulate him and see what his first presidential initiatives will be. Here’s what he had to say:

How long have you been involved with SIMA?

I believe I first served as an advisory board member in 1995 when I became the Publisher of Surfer Magazine. It’s amazing to see how much relevance and benefit the organization provides today versus back then. We have truly grown up.

2. Prior to accepting the President’s position, how have you been involved with SIMA?

As a board member, I have been working in the areas  of research and public relations specifically.With research, I have been working on a great team that is dedicated to making SIMA a knowledge base for the surf industry, starting with our biannual distribution study. Our public relations committee is focused on effectively promoting the sport and culture of surfing, both endemically and to the mainstream.

3. As you move into your new role, what responsibilities have you taken on and what are you top priorities in office?

My main responsibility, as I see it, is to lead the board of directors in serving the needs of the surf industry. As I said in the SIMA press release about recent board changes, I see my personal goal as carrying forward Dick Baker’s amazing work and honoring his legacy by doing everything I can to grow and promote surfing. In terms of specific priorities, we are focusing on four as an organization:

1. Delivering and growing member value
2. Trade show rebirth
3. Education/knowledge/learning
4. Philanthropy/giving back

4. It’s no secret that the economy is bad, retailers and manufacturers alike are facing tough times, and the effects have no doubt trickled down to SIMA. You’re taking office at a difficult time; what does SIMA need to do in order to come out of this recession stronger than ever?

SIMA members are the focus, not SIMA itself. In this challenging economic situation, with member companies working harder than ever, SIMA can be supportive as a provider of information and as a provider of a platform for increased communication among retailers, manufacturers and vendors. We are endeavoring to do more in these challenging times, not less. The worst thing SIMA could do would be to scale back, cancel events, and shrink away from our responsibility as the industry’s trade group.

5. Dick Baker touched everyone he met during his ten year term as SIMA President. What were you able to take away from working with Dick over the years, and how will those lessons help you as President?

Dick Baker taught me a lot over the 14-some-odd years we worked together, but there was definitely one thing we shared time and again that I will always hold near and dear. Dick taught me that speaking one’s mind, with the benefit of considered thought, no matter how unpopular, is always the right way to go.

6.  What are the most critical challenges facing SIMA today?

Doing what we can to ensure that, as an industry, we come out on the other side of this recession stronger than when we went in. The quality of our trade shows, the viability of key retailers, and the brand strength of our member companies are all part and parcel.