Photos and report from Agenda

Agenda on Friday and Saturday in Huntington Beach marked a milestone for the growing tradeshow: it was the first gathering in the company’s seven-year history that was not tied to another trade show or event.

On Friday, the expanded show at the Hyatt Regency was busy. Several brand executives told me they were pleased with the retailer turnout on Friday and booths were busy with sales reps showing lines. Aisles were also packed as industry folks turned out to check out the show.

“This proves we can be a standalone show,” Agenda President Aaron Levant said.

Aaron said approximately 140 brands exhibited, up from 100 in July. Agenda took over an additional 15,000 square feet of space for The Berrics skate area downstairs and a room for Primer, a room for young brands to exhibit.

Agenda’s attendance records are not computerized at the show so Aaron couldn’t yet say how many people attended until the business cards are counted. He did say buyers from a wide range of retailers came, from publicly traded large retailers to small independents, including Urban Outfitters, CCS, Zumiez, Nordstrom, Metropark, Pit Crew Skateboards in Maryland, FTC skate shop in San Francisco and others.

I asked Aaron what’s next for Agenda.

He said he and partner (and cousin) Seth Haber want to continue to improve, to get even more retailers to attend, and to grow Agenda into an international destination trade show.

The next Agenda show will be August 4 and 5 at the same location during the U.S. Open of Surfing.