IASC Skateboarding Industry Summit Packs the Lodge at Woodward West!
The 3rd annual Skateboarding Industry Summit was held April 28-30 at Woodward West, in Tehachapi, CA. With the Lodge sold out, a core group of attendees gathered to hear the likes of George Powell, Trent Martin (Cowtown Skateshop), and Nick Adcock weave a common thread throughout the conference - by working together we shape the future of our industry.
“The Summit gives the leaders in skateboarding a chance to come together in a non-competitive atmosphere to educate themselves on topics meant to broaden their perspectives and further their business.” says John Bernards, IASC executive director. “Combined with skateboarding on the amazing terrain at Woodward and some Azunia tequila ‘hot-shots’ it’s a great mix of learning and camaraderie.”
Speakers at this year’s summit touched on a varied range of topics including a dynamic insight into social media and how to utilize it, digital media and what we can expect next, as well as industry specific topics from veterans of pro competition, amateur skateboarding, and retailers from all over North America, including Cindy Mielke from West 49 in Canada. The highly charged topic of recognizing pro’s vs. am’s brought many of the industry participants to the table for discussion while staying true to the individualism of skateboarding if it is showcased in the Olympics was an eye opener for attendees.
Keynote speakers included George Powell and Nick Adcock, who with very different perspectives had similar messages. “If all we as an industry choose to think about is maximizing our own profit, gaining market share or stealing somebody else’s team rider, instead of banding together in a cohesive voice, then the powerful entities helping themselves to skateboarding will simply walk away with a very special sport, the culture and the industry we created during the three decades of hard work and dedication to the preservation of skateboarding as a free and evolving activity.” said Powell.
Thanks to everyone who attended and made this the best summit yet.
You’ll find lots of great coverage and photos on these web sites:
TransWorld Business coverage:
Video Here
Shop-Eat-Surf coverage:
Day One
George Powell
Nick Adcock -Part I
Nick Adcock - Part II
Malakye coverage:
Story Here
Facebook Photos
More photos!
