Wow it’s been a whirlwind year. I haven’t posted anything to our blog in quite awhile. It’s a case of the contractor’s house is never done.
I bought the agency from my business partner a little over a year ago. It’s been a fun challenge managing all aspects of the agency, especially installing and dealing with server and VoIP issues, and setting up a new accounting system, etc. Not the things you want to deal with when your clients need your help. Luckily, we made it through the year.
We lost our Assistant Account Executive, Elizabeth. Her husband graduated and they moved on to build their life elsewhere. Maura is still here working her butt off, being the agency’s right hand person and doing a great job. The Monday before Outdoor Retailer Winter Market we hired Alex, our newest account executive. We threw him into the fire and he came out unscathed and he still wants to work here (check out his post below).
So we’re looking forward to another year serving our clients and looking forward to serving many new ones in the Sports, Outdoor, Athletics and Recreation industries (Lately I’ve taken to telling people what SOAR stands for. Many of them didn’t know, so now you know too.).
Happy late New Year and welcome Alex,
Chip
If you attended Outdoor Retailer Winter Market this year, you know that it was a great show that epitomized the industry’s resilience and hope. Many long-time exhibitors were there along side many new exhibitors launching their products OR.
Despite the huge amounts of preparation that goes into each OR show, SOAR, like the rest of the OR operations staff, doesn’t have time to rest on its laurels when the show is happening in the Salt Palace.
We start before day one managing the periphery of the show to make sure only qualified media get badges and that their press needs are me once they’re inside. We help journalists work around the show director’s very busy schedule and step in as spokespersons when needed. We get up at 4:30 a.m to coordinate early morning shows on the floor, with hair brushed and smiles on our faces. On occasion, we double as models for exhibitors’ product, feeling a little embarrassed and mostly excited when attendees point and ask “Weren’t you on T.V. this morning?” We get a little jealous when attendees ask us about the discounted lift tickets they can purchases with their OR badges, not sure of the next time we’ll be able to hit the slopes.
Though we don’t do as many laps around the show floor as most retailers, the 12-hour day catches up with us once it’s time to party with the industry. Still, we party on. The Woolrich Fashion show made us want to dance (we may have acted on that impulse) and industry’s enthusiasm over the Canada Goose Cup was super fun to watch. We talked to Pam Theodosakis about Prana’s hockey win the next morning as we prepped her to speak about Project OR on camera with a local TV studio.
Of course, between these appointments we are writing like crazy so we can keep media in the loop about the news of the show. We each manage to get away for a few moments, though, to admire amazing new products on the show floor, talk with exhibitors and see how the Project OR designs are developing.
Even though there is still snow still on the ground and in the mountains, we’re shifting our attention to Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, running August 2-3, 2010. Even more exciting times for SOAR and the outdoor industry are on the horizon.
Here’s to warmer weather and more hot products!
Media now have easier access to suggested retail prices, product images (low and high res) and spec sheets for Scott USA merchandise as a result of a newly launched marketing/press only Web site and portal.
Scott USA marketing team members say they hope the site will help on-deadline media get a logo or product fact quickly without having to rely on a member of the marketing team. (See today’s BRAIN article)
From my perspective, this Web site is yet another example of bike industry leaders showing the importance of using the Internet to better communicate with media and how better business practices can improve the industry’s environmental impact, one company at a time.
A few years ago, the Interbike Expo announced its Green Steps program. The program offsets energy used to operate the show by purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (REC), recycling aisle and booth carpeting and increasing electronic communication with exhibitors, attendees and media.
New this year, Interbike provided downloadable press kits of more than 40 participating exhibitors for the media to cut down on the amount paper used in the press room.
My hat goes off to these two companies who know how to work with the media and protect the environment as well!