SIMA PR And Communications Boot Camp Focuses On Social Media and Crisis Management

California Apparel News Erin Brajas, L*Space's Joni Palmer, Heather Winters and Debby Martin

Features

SIMA PR And Communications Boot Camp Focuses On Social Media and Crisis Management

SIMA helds its PR and Communications Boot Camp at The Camp in Costa Mesa Thursday, drawing close to 100 industry members to discuss social media, crisis management and many other relevant public relations topics. Get a summary and check out photos here.

» Read Full Story

kailee bradstreet

November 06 2009 | 495 views | 3 comments

Press Releases

Surf Industry Recognized for Efforts to Save Trestles

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - Aliso Viejo, Calif. (May 26, 2009) – The Orange County League of Conservation Voters recently awarded their annual environmental leadership awards at the University of California, Irvine University Club. On behalf of the entire surf industry, the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) accepted the Environmental Business of the Year Award for the industry’s efforts to save San Onofre State Park and the world-famous Trestles Beach by helping stop the proposed 241 Toll-Road. The prestigious award was accepted by Paul Naude, SIMA Environmental Fund Chairman and CEO of Billabong USA.

“I am honored to accept this award on behalf of SIMA members, the surf industry, and beyond that - all surfers,” said Naude. “Being a surfer means you automatically assume the role of being a good steward of the ocean. For SIMA, not only does the very livelihood of our businesses thrive off the preservation of the ocean, but our passion for surfing does as well.”

The surf industry was a key component in the fight to stop the 241 Toll-Road through Southern Orange County. SIMA member companies and surfers alike dominated the 241 Toll-Road Coastal Commission and Secretary of Commerce hearings with a strong voice in opposition of the Toll-Road. The industry also demonstrated their support by supplying bus transportation to the hearings and with financial contributions to environmental organizations, such as the Surfrider Foundation and the Sierra Club’s Friends of the Foothills campaign.

The award also celebrated SIMA’s commitment to the environment with the efforts of the SIMA Environmental Fund. Over the past 19 years, SIMA has donated more than $4.4 million in grants to various environmental organizations that are dedicated to preserving and protecting the world’s oceans, beaches and waves.

The award comes at a fitting time as the SIMA Environmental Fund is preparing for the 20th annual SIMA Waterman’s Ball, as well as the 9th annual Waterman’s Classic on August 6 – 7, 2009. Waterman’s Weekend is the official fundraising event for the SIMA Environmental Fund and will raise funds for 18 ocean conservation organizations. Waterman’s Weekend is also a time to honor and celebrate those who have made significant contributions to the surf industry. This year SIMA will honor surfing icon Rob Machado as Waterman of the Year, surfer and enviro-warrior Dave Rastovich as Environmentalist of the Year, and the incomparable late industry leader Dick Baker with the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award.

To join the surf industry in its fight to protect the ocean environment and support Waterman’s Weekend 2009, visit www.sima.com/watermans.aspx. For sponsorship opportunities or more information, please contact Shannon Park, SIMA Event Manager, at Shannon@sima.com.

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 19 years, SIMA’s Environmental Fund has raised more than $4.4 million for environmental groups seeking to protect the world’s oceans, beaches and waves. For more information about SIMA, visit www.sima.com.

Press Release

May 26 2009 | 29 views

Features

EVENTS: SIMA Holds Green Bootcamp

SIMA’s Green Bootcamp sparked a lively discussion Thursday, April 16 amongst 40 industry members in attendance and a panel featuring Vipe Desai, Founder of Project Blue, Billabong’s Senior Design Director Rob McCarty, and Volcom’s General Manager of V. Co-Logical Society Environmental Affairs Derek Sabori.

» Read Full Story

kailee bradstreet

April 17 2009 | 498 views | 6 comments

News

SIMA Pays Tribute to Late Chairman Emeritus Dick Baker

Dick Baker, longtime SIMA president and industry veteran, passed away this morning after a two-year battle with cancer. The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association released this statement in honor of Baker today, expressing their appreciation for all he did for the organization and the industry as a whole, and extending their deepest sympathies:
“The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is deeply saddened by this morning’s passing of its longtime president, leader and guiding light, Dick Baker, after his two-year battle with cancer. The SIMA Board of Directors, Advisory Boards and staff are devastated by the loss.

Baker became involved with SIMA in 2000 after coming to work for the iconic surf brand Ocean Pacific (Op), and served as president of SIMA for nine years. His presidency was instrumental in creating the vibrant trade association of Orange County based surf lifestyle brands, and he provided unfailing leadership and guidance throughout a time that has marked the association’s largest growth and expansion.

“Words cannot express our grief or how greatly Dick will be missed,” said Sean Smith, SIMA executive director. “Dick’s leadership in SIMA was absolutely unparalleled. I speak on behalf of the SIMA family and entire surf industry in saying he was so much more than our leader – he was our mentor, our best friend, a role model, a confidant. As a person he was generous, positive and a devoted family man. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”

Information regarding memorial services will be shared when available. Please contact the SIMA office with questions or inquiries.

SIMA Pays Tribute to Dick Baker
• “It’s hard for me to think about Dick without cracking a smile. We are both fairly cynical by nature and would never miss an opportunity to light one another up with some sort of derogatory comment. Yet among all the heckling, he managed to teach me a lot. Perhaps the greatest lesson I learned from Dick was about courage, be it the courage of standing behind your convictions, the courage to think apart from the crowd, or the courage he had in fighting his insidious disease.”
– Doug Palladini, Vice President of Marketing, Vans / SIMA Board of Directors

“Dick’s passing leaves me with an empty feeling I cannot describe. This loss is not only personal to me, but to anyone who was fortunate enough to know this extraordinary man. Dick was a great husband and a father not only to his kids, but to the industry as a whole. A great leader, a great motivator, and one who knew exactly how to make someone feel good about themselves. He fought courageously to the end, life without Dick will never be the same.”
– Joel Cooper, CEO, …lost / SIMA Board of Directors

• Longtime SIMA Vice President and close friend Paul Naude, CEO of Billabong USA, is out of the country and unreachable for direct comment, but it goes without saying that Paul is deeply saddened by the loss of his friend and colleague, and expresses sincere condolences to the Baker family.

• “Dick Baker was a larger-than-life individual who advised and mentored every CEO in the surf industry, while making certain Wall Street knew about the beach. He was a true champion for our industry, as well as a dear personal friend.”
– Bob Mignogna, former publisher of Surfing magazine / SIMA Senior Advisory Board member

• “Dick was a mix of father, brother and friend. I feel a bit like an orphan today. He will continue to live in the hearts of the ones that knew him. Gracias, Dick.”
– Fernando Aguerre, Liquid Tribe / SIMA Senior Advisory Board member

Visit www.sima.com as additional tributes are posted.

About Dick Baker
Baker was born and raised in Southern California and a graduate of the University of California at Northridge. Growing up in the San Fernando Valley, he worked his way through school at a men’s specialty store. The world of fashion continued as he began his career at Bullocks (a division of Federated, now Macys). Becoming a buyer at a young age allowed international travel, invaluable retail experience and created a platform for future opportunities.

In 1980, Baker was recruited to become president of Marithe & Francois Girbaud, a designer jeans company and division of Calvin Klein, in New York.

In 1983, Dick was named CEO and president of Izod Lacoste menswear. Establishing a strategy to renew the popularity of the brand, he was a member of the management group that spun off Crystal Brands from the parent company General Mills.

In 1986, he was hired as president of Esprit Womenswear. Based in San Francisco, this lifestyle juniors brand grew to $250 million during his tenure.

Prior to joining Op in 1997, he was president of Tommy Hilfiger Womenswear, where Tommy Girl apparel was launched and grossed $100 million in its first year.

While at Op, through creative marketing, well-timed product extensions and licensing agreements with key manufacturers, revenues increased five-fold to $250 million world wide during his tenure as CEO.

After successfully rejuvenating the brand, Op was acquired by Warnaco Inc. (Calvin Klein, Speedo, Chaps) in 2004. Baker continued to serve as President and helped in the transition of the business through 2007.

In spite of his busy career schedule, Baker remained active in community service, environmental and humanitarian organizations. He actively supported local causes such as Life Rolls On, Boarding for Breast Cancer, Surfrider Foundation and Ocean Institute. He was the former Chairman of the National Conference of Christians and Jews (New York), and the 1996 honoree of the Boy Scout Council (New York).

Baker was also honored with the Creative Leadership Award by Otis College of Art and Design in 2000, where he served on its Board of Trustees; in 2004, he was honored by the Orange County Boy Scouts with the Men of Character Award; and in 2005, Baker was also the honoree for the AMY award of the YMA (Young Men’s Association) creating scholarships for the fashion industry. He will be honored by SIMA this August with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 20th Annual Waterman’s Ball.

Baker is survived by his wife of 19 years, Una, and his two sons, Ryan and Jack.”

ADMIN

April 14 2009 | 426 views | 4 comments

Press Releases

SIMA Green Boot Camp: Industry Experts To Discuss Future of Green Products

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. (April 8, 2009) – The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is proud to announce the second annual SIMA Green Boot Camp. The surf industry will gather for a half-day of seminars on practical ways to lessen a company’s carbon footprint and an expert panel on the future of green products. The event is set for Thursday, April 16, 2009, and will be held at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, Calif. The deadline to register is Monday, April 13, 2009. SIGN UP HERE

“Expanding our knowledge on how to run environmentally-friendly businesses is an obligation in the surf industry,” said Dick Baker, SIMA chairman emeritus. “When the very core of our industry thrives off of the preservation of our oceans, we must do everything we can to reduce our carbon footprint and develop environmentally-conscious products. I am eager to hear the solutions and tips our seminar speakers and panelists will offer Boot Camp attendees.”

SIMA Green Boot Camp will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The morning will kick-off with a group breakfast followed by seminars. One seminar will be focused on “Demystifying the Carbon Footprint” with Jenny Bravo, Firm Director & Enterprise Sustainability Leader of Deloitte. Jenny will speak on how your company can better understand its carbon footprint, the future of environmental laws in the U.S., and how you can cost-effectively reduce your businesses’ environmental emissions.

Following the first seminar, a panel of industry experts will take the stage to discuss their insight on “The Future of Green Products.” The panel will discuss the current state of eco surf products, explore customer demand, cost, product development, viability, and the necessity of creating environmentally-sensitive products. Panelists include Rob McCarty / Design Director, Billabong, Vipe Desai / Founder, Project Blue, and Derek Sabori / General Manager, Volcom V.Co-Logical Society Environmental Affairs Division. The panel will be moderated by Rob Campbell, publisher of TransWorld Business.

The registration fee for SIMA members is $50 per person and $75 per person for non-SIMA members. Included in the registration fee are seminars, panel conversation, conference workbook sponsored by Transworld Business, and breakfast. Priority for registration will be given to SIMA members and is on a first-come-first serve basis.

In its second 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 report for duty.

For more information and registration materials please visit www.sima.com/bootcamp.aspx. For any other questions please contact Shannon Park, SIMA Event Manager, at shannon@sima.com or 949.366.1164 x 2.

For all press inquiries please contact Mandy Johnson at mandy@sima.com or 949.366.1164 x 7.

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 20 years, SIMA’s Environmental Fund has raised more than $4.4 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.

Press Release

April 09 2009 | 87 views

Press Releases

SIMA and BRA Present Industry Boot Camp

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - SIMA and BRA PRESENT INDUSTRY BOOT CAMP:
AN OPEN FORUM FOR MANUFACTURERS AND RETAILERS

- Speakers Announced & Registration Now Open -

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. (February 26, 2009) – The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is pleased to announce Industry Boot Camp, a joint seminar with the Board Retailers Association (BRA). Industry Boot Camp will be held Thursday, March 19, 2009, at the Waterfront Hilton Beach Resort in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Get REGISTRATION MATERIALS HERE.

For the first time in the SIMA local educational series, SIMA and BRA will be joining forces to bring both manufacturers and specialty surf retailers together for a day of seminars, learning and candid roundtable discussions. Networking time will be plentiful during the time set aside for breakfast and lunch, as well as a cocktail reception courtesy of Surf Expo.

“SIMA is excited to be offering an educational session and day of discussion with our retailer counterparts at BRA,” said Dick Baker, SIMA chairman emeritus. “This Industry Boot Camp will be a fantastic platform for manufacturers and retailers to not only benefit from presentations targeted to their respective groups, but to also come together and have meaningful discussions about issues affecting our industry today. There is no better time for unity and learning than today, in addition to the always valuable networking time the event will provide.”

Manufacturers and retailers will split in the morning to attend two seminars each that are specifically targeted for their business. Manufacturers will learn important tips and strategies from Charlie Cotton of Path to the Rack Consultants in a seminar titled “Getting Product Sold: Merchandising & Visual Presentation,” as well as learn how to get the most out of a trade show budget from a session presented by Kevin Flanagan, Vice President of Marketing for Reef and former ASR show director. Retailers will benefit from a seminar by Alan Roseman of Strategic Results titled “Merchandise Planning: Yesterday’s Gone, What’s Your Tomorrow?,” as well as an informative and interactive discussion on an array of retail and economic issues led by Gregg Solomon, former Senior Vice President of Retail at Quiksilver.

The two groups of manufacturers and retailers will then join together again for an afternoon of roundtable discussions. Attendees will be divided into multiple groups to discuss pressing issues and hot topics in the industry today. Each roundtable will be made up of a mix of manufacturers and retailers, providing opinions from all angles of the industry. Topics to be discussed include: customer service, marketing support, green products, merchandising, trade shows today, distribution strategies, and product innovation.

“This Boot Camp provides the best of both worlds to retailers and manufacturers alike,” said Todd Roberts, BRA chairman and co-owner of ZJ Boarding House in Santa Monica, Calif. “The educational component is invaluable and to combine that with presentations by industry experts, networking opportunities and an open dialogue between retailers and manufacturers, the Boot Camp is an event that will not only benefit all those in attendance, but the entire industry as well. Every retailer should take advantage of this unique opportunity to meet with industry colleagues and discuss solutions to issues we are all facing.”

The registration fee for SIMA members and BRA members is $75 per person. The cost for surf manufacturers that are non-SIMA members is $200 per person, and the cost for surf specialty retailers that are non-BRA members is $100 per person. Included in the registration fee are seminars, conference workbook, breakfast, lunch and a cocktail reception sponsored by Surf Expo.

Registration materials were emailed today and can also be found at www.sima.com. For more information, please contact Shannon Park, SIMA Event Manager, at shannon@sima.com or 949.366.1164 x2.

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 19 years, SIMA’s Environmental Fund has raised more than $4.4 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.

Press Release

March 05 2009 | 83 views

Press Releases

SIMA Celebrates 20 Years of Uniting the Tribe

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.”