SIMA Celebrates 20 Years of Uniting the Tribe

Press Release

• February 19 2009
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OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - Aliso Viejo, Calif. (February 18, 2009) – The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA), founded in 1989, is proud to celebrate its 20th anniversary. As the trade association of competing surf product suppliers working together for the development of the surf industry, SIMA has united the surf industry for the past 20 years.

“Many years ago, SIMA began out of a need to work more effectively with our tradeshow partners,” said Bob McKnight, CEO of Quiksilver and SIMA’s first president. “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 and helping us all ‘grow the pond.’”

From issues like the closure of Clark Foam to trade show dates, SIMA has proven its effectiveness in unifying and serving the surf business by gathering the leaders of our industry and acting as their collective voice.

“SIMA has been the glue that has kept our industry together for many years,” said Richard Woolcott, CEO & founder of Volcom. “SIMA has also helped create a special camaraderie between competitors that makes this industry so much fun to be a part of.”

Since its inception, SIMA has also been committed to the advancement of the core surf industry by providing valuable educational programming, industry research and public relations efforts. Education remains a focus as the surf industry heads to Cabo in May for the 12th annual SIMA Surf Summit educational conference. 2009 also marks the second year of the local seminar series, SIMA Boot Camp, as well as the release of SIMA’s third Retail Distribution Study.

“SIMA’s actions over the past 20 years have been instrumental in elevating our industry and uniting it,” said John Wilson, president of Reef.  “Through its proprietary educational programs, SIMA has been able to harness the collective wisdom of the industry in order to make it better.”

SIMA also serves as an avenue for the surf industry to collectively support charitable organizations that work to keep our oceans clean and serve our communities through surfing. SIMA owns and operates two separate charitable organizations: the SIMA Environmental Fund, established in 1989, and the SIMA Humanitarian Fund, founded in 2006. This year will also mark the 20th anniversary the SIMA Environmental Fund’s Waterman’s Weekend, as well as bring the SIMA Humanitarian Fund’s 6th annual Liquid Nation Ball.

“SIMA connects with the essence of what it means to be a surfer by honoring individuals and companies that make a difference,” said Jonno Wells, CEO of Surfline.com and SIMA advisory board member. “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.”

Marking further growth, in 2003, SIMA established the surf industry’s only awards program that gives SIMA members and surf specialty retailers the opportunity to recognize fellow surf industry companies for their outstanding contributions to the surf industry. The SIMA Image Awards aim to identify the surf industry’s most influential companies and recognize them for their efforts to advance and grow the industry over the past year.

“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,” said Jesse Faen, president of Insight. “These have really elevated the awareness of our brand within the U.S. 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.”