IASC Action Survey & Update
Your Opportunity to Give IASC Your Input
As the skateboard industry’s trade organization, IASC is committed to creating a healthy future for skateboarding by keeping a close watch on its big-picture while our members focus on the health of their companies. IASC’s 2006 survey of members found that the topic of most concern was the decline in the sale of branded skate products and its impact on skateboarding. Those same members asked IASC to bring awareness to the issue out of concern for the future of skateboarding and the skateboard industry.
IASC formulated an initial plan with the goal of identifying and implementing solutions through dialog with IASC members and interested industry parties. Following several open meetings, it was agreed that IASC’s role was to undertake research, create awareness, and encourage a continuing open dialog. As a next step, and with support from TransWorld Media, IASC produced the ‘Under Fire’ supplement that was released in the February issue of TransWorld Business. This supplement gave manufacturers, distributors, pros, retailers, and members of the media a platform to voice their unedited opinions on what the growth of blank products means to them and the future of skateboarding and the skateboard business.
On behalf of its members, IASC wants to thank everyone involved in the supplement and also those who responded- whether with support, condemnation, or humor- for their participation. Our goal, after all, was to encourage a dialog.
Following the release of the supplement, IASC held a meeting with retailers during ASR, and sent out initial surveys to retailers, IASC members, and newsletter recipients to gather feedback. What IASC has received thus far shows the following as the top line issues of concern for retailers and manufacturers:
- Margins
- Product distribution outlets
- Importance of local promotion
- Price point products
- Definition, perception, and appeal of professional skateboarders
- Innovation
- Product Differentiation
- Communication between Retail and Manufacturer sales marketing
This is an preliminary list and of items for the industry to consider and take action upon. To add to this list or give comments and opinion please Click here to give your feedback. IASC will compile the feedback from this survey and take these concerns back to manufacturers and retailers to continue dialog. All answers will be kept confidential.
Ultimately it is up to retailers and manufacturers to take their own individual course of action and IASC’s goal is to help everyone involved make intelligent and informed decisions. IASC’s future plans include:
- Continuing to work with manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and retailers to ensure they are able to provide value to the global skateboarding community in a way that benefits their businesses.
- Continued contact with each of these industry segments to gather feedback on the issue, disseminate information and gauge progress.
We encourage anyone with an interest in this or other topics affecting the skateboarding community to contact IASC offices: 949-455-1112.
