• 

  2014 SIMA Business Development

Press release:

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. (July 10, 2014) – The SIMA Business Development Committee (formerly the Emerging Brands Committee) has announced the 2014 participating brands and introduces a new structure for the year-long program. The program can now accommodate more developing brands and has the ability to adapt based on the needs of the participants.

The program, spanning from June 2014 – June 2015, is now two-tiered – the Emerging Brands Program and the Business Advisory Program. All eligible and interested brands must apply to be a part of this program through a now extensive process that includes both a written portion and in-person pitch. Out of the applicants, a small group will be chosen to participate in the Emerging Brands Program. This includes four intensive workshops throughout the year and additional SIMA discounts. A larger group of applicants will be chosen to participate in the Business Advisory Program, which will offer separate Boot Camps and SIMA discounts. Applicants are placed based on the brand’s needs and put where the committee feels they will benefit most from.

“We are really excited about the changes that SIMA has initiated with the addition of the Business Advisory Program and the new structure of the Business Development Committee,” said John Wilson, chairman of the SIMA Business Development Committee. “These changes to the program allow for a more robust member experience and allow more SIMA members to get involved in this beneficial program. The energy that is being generated with these up-and-coming brands and their stories, products and talent is really exciting and we are happy to be a part of it. A program like this puts SIMA right in the middle of this new energy and helps keep our finger on the pulse of what’s new and what the future holds. The committee is stoked to work with these brands and excited about the mentoring this program offers.”

Those involved in the SIMA Business Development Committee selection process include John Wilson with Stance, Bruce Beach with Depactus, Dominique Checkwood with Stance, Ryan Hitzel with Roark, Duke Edukas with Surfside Sport, and Tony Perez with The Enthusiast Network. The 2014 SIMA Business Development Committee participants include the following:

Emerging Brands Program Participants

Beach Riot

Iron & Resin

Jetty Life

Kid Creature

OurCaste

Business Advisory Program Participants

Creatures of Leisure

Filtrate

Hippy Tree

Lira Clothing

Pura Vida Bracelets

Shaper Studios

SUPERbrand

Tavik

Vertra

The SIMA Business Development Committee congratulates all of the brands that will be involved this year and look forward to continually improving the program in the years to come.

About SIMA

The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is the official working trade association of more than 300 surf industry suppliers. Founded in 1989, SIMA is a non-profit organization that serves to promote awareness of the surf industry and participation in the sport of surfing through public relations efforts and a variety of services, educational programs and research. In addition, SIMA actively supports oceanic environmental efforts through its 501(c)(3) charitable environmental foundation, the SIMA Environmental Fund. In the past 24 years, SIMA’s Environmental Fund has raised more than $6.5 million for environmental groups seeking to protect the world’s oceans, beaches and waves. The SIMA Humanitarian Fund, also a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, was established in to award grants to various surf or boardsport related social and humanitarian non-profit organizations whose efforts are focused on improving the quality of life, health and/or welfare of people. Since 2004 the SIMA Humanitarian Fund has raised and donated more than $1.6 million to surf-related non-profit organizations. For more information regarding SIMA, please visit www.sima.com.