Murray, Woolcott and Blankinship on ASR

Here is some reaction to ASR from Steve Murray, President of VF’s Action Sports Coalition sports, RVCA President Brad Blankenship and Volcom CEO Richard Woolcott.

Steve Murray

Steve said he came into the show fearing the worst for ASR because the buzz was that the show was struggling.

And Agenda has created something that fits the bill, he said -- meaning it has created an environment where business can get done without pretentiousness and without the closed-booth environment.

Now that the trade show circuit is over, Steve expects the Vans team will sit down and review everything and examine what shows to participate in the future.

Vans is definitely committed to Agenda and its format and would like to commit to ASR because Vans is a SIMA member and the company wants ASR to find its niche and be meaningful, he said.

From what he saw, he thinks ASR has recaptured some energy, and he especially liked the vibe and environment at Class.

“While I had feared the worst from what I can see they may have done enough” to re-energize the show, he said.

Brad Blankinship

RVCA showed at Class and from what I could see was steadily busy.

President Brad Blankinship said he had been concerned heading into the show because of the late dates.

But “we were pleasantly surprised,” he said. “We’ve seen a lot of customers. All in all, it was a big success.”

Brad, like some other brand executives, told me at the that he was pleased that he saw a good number of international accounts, especially from Japan.

Richard Woolcott

“For us, we are seeing a lot of retailers,” Richard told me on Thursday in front of Volcom's ASR booth. “It’s a good show for wrapping up business going into the New Year. It’s been a productive show, a good show.”

I asked Richard about the late dates and impact of having so many trade shows close together.

He said it’s too soon too tell how the trade show date issue will play out, and he’s sure the team will discuss and review it all soon.

But, “from what I’m seeing, it feels okay,” he said.