Action Sports Retailers Story
ASR is producing a fully wind powered, recycling friendly trade show, as brands join in with a shift to organic and sustainable product lines
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 13 January, 2007 : - - San Juan Capistrano, CA – ASR is taking its Green Steps program to the next level at the January 25-27 event in San Diego. The Green Steps environmental initiatives at ASR include; a fully wind energy powered event, expanded recycling efforts sponsored by OP, the ASR Line Up printed on recycled paper, recycled paper badges printed with soy ink, recycled show bags and recycled aisle carpet.
Within the aisles of ASR, established and emerging surf, skate, snow, swim and youth culture brands are launching expanded lines of sustainable and organic product for fall 2007. The combination of sustainable event production efforts and sustainable product lines will give ASR January a lower impact, ‘green’ glow.
“ASR’s program was created 3-years ago out of the need to increase sustainability within our event and the action sports industry as a whole. With a commitment from some ASR exhibitors and vendors to join the effort,
Green Steps is a growing success,” says Andy Tompkins, ASR Show Director. “We’re proud to continue putting on a 100% wind powered event. Wind is a clean power alternative that helps protect the oceans, mountains and forests, vital parts of our customer’s lifestyle.”
ASR has partnered with 3 Phases Energy, a company that provides renewable energy services for businesses, utilities, governments and institutions. The 5 VNU Sports Group Expos, including ASR, will purchase renewable energy credits to offset standard electricity usage for seven expositions per year with 100% wind powered energy.
Wind power purchases equal close to 622 megawatt hours each year, which is enough energy to power 57 United States homes for one year. The CO2 emissions offset would be equivalent to the environmental impact of taking almost 81 cars off the road for an entire year or planting 106 trees annually.
Reused, reduced and recycled materials will be available to exhibitors in every aspect of ASR. Along with GES, a major exhibition and event services provider, ASR is providing recycled aisle carpet and makes recycled booth carpet available for exhibitors to order. GES also provides booth displays that use fibrex for the booth panels rather than conventional petroleum based panels.
The plastic covering and carpet padding used at ASR will also be recycled. Picking up an ASR Line Up, the essential guide to the action sports industry, attendees will notice that it is printed on recycled paper.
Within the recycled walls at ASR, brands are working hard to create products that are more earth friendly, while staying trend savvy. Action sports’ most established names including Quiksilver, Volcom, Etnies, Roxy, IPath, Planet Earth and Element among others will be expanding organic and sustainable product lines for fall 2007.
Many who had introduced limited sustainable lines focused mostly on organic cotton tees for spring 2007, will introduce wider selections of denim, knits, wovens, footwear and accessories at the January event. From these lines, most brands are donating 1-3% back to environmental causes.
Satori Movement and Hippy Tree, which can be found it ASR’s Goldbox Mission presented by Boost Mobile, are two new ASR brands that have an eco-friendly twist. The men’s line Satori Movement features mostly hemp fabrics, while the women’s Satori Divine is comprised of all bamboo and organic-cotton materials.
Finally, keep an eye out for products from Reef, Billabong, Nixon, Electric and DaKine benefiting the Surfrider Foundation through the newly launched project BLUE. Surfrider will receive $2 from the sale of every BLUE product. Don’t Miss ASR in San Diego, January 25-27th!
About ASR
ASR, a division of VNU Expositions, is a full service tradeshow whose goal is to create, market and produce high quality tradeshows and educational conferences. ASR is the leading action sports industry trade event, bringing together top manufacturers, retailers, industry advocates and media to conduct the business of surf, skate, snow, swim, style, moto and youth culture.
Now in its 26th successful year, ASR gathers over 500 action sports brands and approximately 7,000 retail buyers and decision makers three times a year, with Spring and Summer season shows in San Diego and ASR Holiday at the Orange Country Fairgrounds. For additional information regarding ASR, please contact Lora Bodmer at Deep Communications by phone, 949.200.7134.
www.asrbiz.com