
I am a Merchandise Buyer for Sierra Trading Post and I love my job. I get to work with great companies including La Sportiva, Asolo, Black Diamond, K2, Burton and many more spanning the categories I buy. Those categories include, climbing, ski/snowboard hardgoods, camping cookware and accessories, technical footwear, skate/surf/wake/dive, and sporting goods (golf, tennis, team sports). Being responsible for all of these categories keeps me incredibly busy. One day I am working with Callaway Golf, the next I am buying climbing gear from Edelrid...it's never a dull day. One of the great things about my position with STP is the travel I get to do. About 5-7 times a year I travel for tradeshows related to my categories. I attend Summer and Winter Outdoor Retailer Markets (Salt Lake City, UT), SIA (Denver, CO), golf shows and Surf Expo (Orlando, FL). These shows are always important for STP and the relationships we have with our vendors. We make sure that we get the best product at a discount so we can pass the savings onto our customers. STP has been doing this for 25 years and we have key partnerships with brands like Asolo, Marmot, Black Diamond, Haglofs of Sweden, Columbia Sportswear, Smith Optics, Smartwool, Vasque, Teva and so many more to ensure we have great deals on great product for our customers. August 4-7 were the dates for Outdoor Retailer Summer Market this year and I attended the show to purchase product and meet with as many vendors as possible over the 4 day show.
A typical show day starts at 7:00am with breakfast in the hotel with all the buyers and managers that come with STP. All 12 or so of us sit down, have breakfast and talk about the meetings and product priorities for the day. It's kind of a rundown of what we are working on and what needs to get done. The show then starts at 9:00am everyday, but if you know your vendors well, and of course we do, you can schedule meetings for 8:00am and have them bring you into the show. It's kind of like being a VIP, but not really. Vacuums are still running and the coffee is flowing thick, but these are some of the best meetings because there aren't 1,000's of people roaming the halls quite yet. These types of meetings, as you can see from my schedule below, are usually reserved for some of our key vendors and important partnerships. After 9:00am hits the floodgates open and 1,000's of people run into the massive Salt Palace. Brand employees, retailers buying for their stores, and sponsored athletes looking to promote their brand consume the hallway between massive booths, some two stories with meeting and conference rooms! I have run into Daniel Woods at La Sportiva, Dave Graham at Five Ten and many other sponsored athletes that I look up to in different outdoor endeavors. We also tend to meet with high up sales reps, national sales managers and VP's/CEO's of companies. Actually from a recent article in Ascent it listed influential people from the climbing culture. Dale Bard from Ortovox and Jack Tackle from Black Diamond are just two people I work with daily that top the list in that article, but also represent prestigious brands such as Vasque, Black Diamond and Ortovox.
 |
My schedule for OR |
From 9:00am to about 6:00pm the showroom is a mess. People are running around, meeting vendors and stopping in the middle of walkways (super annoying). Everyone is wanting to get the newest stuff for their shop and check out all the sick new technologies and product. There are numerous brands that fit this category, but Black Diamond is always a great place to start for new gear and innovative product. One of the best products at the show was the BD Magnetron locking carabiner. I have already talked about this new piece of gear once, but it was all speculation as I wasn't able to touch it or try out the strength of the locker. This was definitely the best new gear of the show and blew away everyone who tried it out. I talked to a couple guys we work with at BD, Heath Christensen and Bill Kubilius, about dirt and ice affecting the steel and magnet connection and they assured me they have put it through the paces of adverse conditions and use. It doesn't release until next summer, so they let me know there would plenty of time to perfect the product. Take a look at the video and see for yourself how good the action is on the carabiner.
Some other brands that came to the show with great new product included Adidas Outdoor, a newcomer to the high performance outerwear and trail running category, Salomon, new colors and technology, and Mammut, great new color palette and innovative apparel. Every brand has something to offer and no one disappointed. It was great to walk the show and see all the familiar faces and talk about the brands and what they are bringing to the outdoor market. Even new vendors like Yeti Coolers, Hurley and O'Neill felt right at home with the outdoor scene. On top of that, Billabong showed up for the first time ever because of the cancellation of another show, Action Sports Retailer. They took up the entire upstairs ballroom with there brand portfolio including Sector 9 and Element skateboards, RVCA, Von Zipper, Excel Wetsuits and more. One of my categories includes these new skate and surf brands and having them in SLC for Outdoor Retailer was great.
 |
New lightweight trail runner. Not out quite yet... |
 |
New colors from Salomon |
 |
This guy shows up wherever Mammut goes! |
 |
One of the best out there, the Hubba Hubba! |
After a long day walking the show we usually meet with a vendor for drinks and dinner. At STP we have and always will be focused on our relationships with our vendors. The partnerships we build help both STP, our customers and the brands we service. We like to remind our vendors that we are not so big we have forgotten about them, so we meet for a nice dinner to talk about business, have a few laughs, and share in a great meal. I had dinner with Edelrid the first night at a great local place called The Bayou and Saturday met Teva for dinner at Bambara. Both dinners were fantastic and the company was great. After any night life we usually retreat to our rooms for a quick 30 minutes of finishing orders or responding to emails and get ready for the next day. I met with too many vendors to name them all, but here a few things to keep your eye on in the seasons to come.
- Edelrid - Great German climbing company making their move on the US market.
- Adidas Outdoor - Great outdoor apparel and trail runners that rival Salomon and La Sportiva.
- Contour Helmet Cameras - Everyone knows I use a Contour HD and love it. Look out for some sick new product.
- Kayland - Amazing hiking boots and approach shoes.
- Salewa - Second best gear of the show in my book. New ice boot that flexes for the hike and locks rigid for vertical ice. What?!?!
Overall tradeshows are a blast and even though they consist of long days the work we put in goes to benefit our customers and helps us get product that would otherwise get lost at some other retailer. We sell only off price product so we don't have to focus on promoting full price vs. off price. We simply offer the best product at the best price from the best brands. That's it! Pretty easy when you think about it that way. I will be attending the PGA Expo soon in Las Vegas, NV as well at the Surf Expo in Orlando, FL. Look for more tradeshow reports and more great photos.
 |
New Black Diamond helmet. The Half Dome redesign has been delayed. |
 |
New monopoint crampon from BD. It uses the same Cyborg front point so you can replace it easily. |
 |
La Sportiva Crosslite 2.0 trail runners and Speedster climbing shoes |
19 comments:
2015-7- 4 chenyingying9539
michael kors handbags
burberry outlet
true religion jeans
hollister
nfl jerseys
oakley sunglasses
burberry outlet
ray ban outlet
burberry outlet online
tory burch
abercrombie
gucci outlet
michael kors handbags
tod's shoes
jordan 6
ray bans
christian louboutin
cheap ray bans
ralph lauren
louboutin femme
concords 11
longchamp bags
michael kors
air jordan 11
tory burch outlet
cheap jordans
louis vuitton handbags
hollister kids
coach factory outlet
coach outlet
true religion canada, http://www.truereligionjeanscanada.com
north face outlet
salomon running shoes
louis vuitton outlet
los angeles lakers jerseys
miami heat jersey
moncler coats
gucci,borse gucci,gucci sito ufficiale,gucci outlet
longchamp handbags
nike air max uk
cheap nfl jerseys
tods outlet
the north face uk
gucci handbags
hollister shirts
supra footwear
air max 90
san francisco 49ers jerseys
coach outlet store
cheap nba jerseys
mizuno running
fivefingers shoes
mcm handbags
beats headphones
beats by dre
ray ban sunglasses, http://www.ray-bansunglassess.in.net
soccer jerseys
boston celtics jersey
ugg boots
lebron shoes
true religion jeans, http://www.truereligionjeanscanada.com
mac cosmetics
cheap football shirts
roshe run men
philadelphia eagles jerseys
lebron james shoes
achang0818
canada goose outlet
louis vuitton uk
insanity workout
ugg outlet
coach factory outlet online
nike running shoes for men
coach outlet store online
michael kors canada
vans sneakers
jordan 3 retro
cheap jordans
rolex watches
kids lebron shoes
michael kors outlet
designer handbags
nike air huarache
cheap toms
ray ban outlet
air jordan homme
rolex watches
ugg outlet
toms wedges
uggs outlet
cheap toms shoes
kobe shoes
replica rolex watches
kobe 10
air max 95
coach outlet
christian louboutin shoes
cheap ray ban sunglasses
cheap nfl jerseys
jordan shoes
20160307chenzhen
supra shoes
valentino outlet
hermes belt for sale
nfl jersey wholesale
tiffany jewellery
michael kors outlet
true religion jeans
instyler ionic styler
prada handbags
longchamp outlet
michael kors handbags outlet
hermes outlet
swarovski crystal
kobe bryants shoes
michael kors outlet
lebron james shoes
louis vuitton handbags
thomas sabo outlet
cheap nfl jersey
cheap mlb jerseys
rolex uk
michael kors outlet
louis vuitton bags
hermes birkin bag
ralph lauren shirts
michael kors wallet sale
adidas wings
michael kors outlet online
air max 2015
michael kors factory store
kobe shoes
lacoste shirts
ysl outlet
michael kors clearance
kobe bryant shoes
true religion jeans
swarovski outlet
kate spade outlet
juicy couture tracksuit
coach outlet store
longchamp handbags
ghd hair straighteners
michael kors canada
coach outlet online
cheap jordans
coach outlet
michael kors outlet online
cartier outlet
ray ban sunglasses
ferragamo outlet
beats by dre
longchamp solde
tiffany and co
cartier sunglasses
burberry outlet store
jordan shoes 2015
police sunglasses for men
tory burch shoes
versace sunglasses on sale
michael kors factory outlet
reebok trainers
nike huarache
polo ralph lauren
longchamp pas cher
michael kors uk outlet
michael kors outlet sale
iphone case
michael kors wholesale
ralph lauren outlet
juicy couture outlet
chanyuan0601
kobe 11
giuseppe zanotti
coach canada
toms outlet
oakley sunglasses
coach factory outlet
cheap jordan shoes
gucci outlet online
louis vuitton purses
montblanc
air jordan 4
jordan retro 8
coach outlet canada
louis vuitton
timberland outlet
michael kors handbags
michael kors handbags
rolex watches
coach factory outlet online
montblanc pens
louis vuitton handbags
chenyingying0711
jordan 11s
vans shoes
nike air max
jordan 8
ralph lauren outlet
coach outlet
michael kors outlet
nike air max 90
michael kors outlet
toms shoes outlet
ray ban sunglasses uk
hermes handbags
supra sneakers
burberry outlet online
oakley vault
christian louboutin shoes
coach outlet
michael kors outlet
adidas outlet
louis vuitton handbags
toms outlet
coach outlet
christian louboutin outlet
nike outlet store
jordan 6
rolex watches
replica watches
tory burch sale
hollister clothing
gucci outlet
adidas ultra boost
louboutin sale clearance
michael kors purses
louis vuitton bags
north face outlet
celine bags
christian louboutin outlet
michael kors outlet clearance
ray ban sunglasses outlet
celine handbags
chenlina20160804
juicy couture tracksuit
michael kors outlet clearance
adidas outlet store
beats by dr dre
tory burch shoes
hermes outlet store
longchamp outlet
polo ralph lauren
toms shoes
soccer jerseys
swarovski jewelry
ugg outlet online
tory burch outlet online
ugg boots
swarovski crystal
hollister shirts
nike free 5
cheap replica watches
michael kors outlet
tods outlet online
police sunglasses for men
versace sunglasses on sale
ugg outlet
michael kors uk outlet
louis vuitton outlet stores
herve leger dresses
michael kors outlet store
mizuno shoes
calvin klein outlet
nike free 5.0
ray-ban sunglasses
giuseppe zanotti shoes
prada sunglasses for women
louis vuitton handbags
michael kors outlet online
20160805caihuali
kate spade outlet
longchamp outlet
pandora charms
ugg boots
uggs outlet
red bottoms
chaussures louboutin
ugg boots
ralph lauren outlet
nike huarache
20161124caiyan
christian louboutin shoes
jordan shoes
yeezy shoes
tiffany online
adidas ultra boost
ralph lauren polo shirts
nike kobe sneakers
michael kors outlet online
huarache shoes
ray ban sunglasses outlet
instyler max 2 in
new york jets jerseys We
jordan shoes buy
michael kors outlet super
longchamp le pliage the
browns jerseys time.
toms outlet updating
omega watches for sale I
new balance outlet them
michael kors outlet throw
cheap mlb jerseys
cheap uggs
the north face outlet
ugg boots
beats by dr dre
ralph lauren polo
ray ban sunglasses
adidas trainers uk
the north face jackets
coach outlet store online
hzx20170206
coach outlet online
ed hardy
michael kors handbags
red bottom shoes
coach handbags
nike outlet
louboutin shoes
cheap jordans
canada goose outlet
hollister clothing
chenlina20170215
kyrie irving shoes
kobe sneakers
http://www.uggoutlet.uk
adidas ultra boost
michael kors outlet
atlanta falcons jersey
fitflops sale clearance
nike air huarache
nike huarache
nmd adidas store
achang
le coq sportif pas cher
michael kors outlet
true religion outlet
fitflops sale clearance
ray ban wayfarer
polo outlet
toms outlet
longchamp outlet
cheap jordan shoes
ray ban wayfarer sunglasses
chenyingying20170302
Michael Kors handbags can now be found on many discounted sites for fractions of retail prices. The best option for individuals wanting to own Michael Kors handbags is to shop at online discount stores. A great place to shop for these luxury bags is eBay.
Friendly Links: Michael Kors Handbags Sale Clearance | Michael Kors Outlet Store
Michael Kors Handbags Sale Clearance can be found in many different places unlike other luxury handbags.
Michael Kors Outlet Online are great for any occasion.
Michael Kors Factory Outlet is perfect for those who like to carry fashion bags.
Michael Kors Bags Outlet are always great to own when you need a bag to go with everything.
Michael Kors Outlet Online is so universal that it could appeal to everyone.
coach outlet
coach factory outlet
canada goose outlet
coach outlet
polo outlet
supreme outlet
north face jackets
nba jersey
michael kors outlet clearance
michael kors outlet
yaoxuemei20180823
شحن عفش من جدة الى الاردن
نقل عفش من الدمام الى الاحساء نقل عفش من الدمام الى الاحساء
شحن عفش من الدمام لمصر شحن عفش من الدمام لمصر
Post a Comment