Bikini-clad models, colorful surf boards, and island attire filled the Orange County Convention Center Thursday through Saturday for the Surf Expo, a biannual trade show for manufacturers and retailers in the board sports and beach lifestyle markets. Organizers say this was the largest show since 2005, with 2,200 booths filling nearly 240,000 square feet of the facility.
Here’s a look at how exhibitors tried to attract attention from the more than 13,000 attendees.
Photo: BizBash
Organizers said this was the largest show since 2005, filling nearly 240,000 square feet of the Orange County Convention Center.
Photo: BizBash
Touch-screen exhibitor locator booths also included a QR code, which attendees could scan to load the directory into their smart phones.
Photo: BizBash
Apparel and accessories maker Roxy wrapped its booth with colorful murals.
Photo: BizBash
A 33-foot Airstream motor home served a dual purpose at the booth by sunglass-maker Costa: It provided meeting space for up to 15 people and also was a key piece of decor for the retro, beach-like atmosphere the company was trying to create.
Photo: BizBash
To hinder counterfeiting, Ugg created a closed booth that was accessible only with permission from a host at the entrance. Inside the contemporary 20- by 20-foot space, the footwear and apparel manufacturer showcased its fall 2012 line and offered meeting space.
Photo: BizBash
Billabong created two 30- by 50-foot enclosed booths, one for its men's line and the other for juniors. Inside the junior's booth, a platform on top of the product display served as a runway for models.
Photo: BizBash
Yaga clothing company used bright colors, tropical plants, a makeshift bar, and reggae music to create a booth that reflected the Jamaican vibe of its products.
Photo: BizBash
Hawaiian sunglass-maker Maui Jim topped its 40- by 60-foot booth with a tiki hut-style roof. In addition to six open work stations, the booth included enclosed offices where brand representatives could conduct business in quieter surroundings.
Photo: BizBash
Heat Swimwear's booth included a three-sided bar with a small runway in the middle.
Photo: BizBash
Grendene, a Brazilian company that includes Ipanema flip flops and Rider footwear, brought an authentic Brazilian beach cart to serve drinks and snacks at its booth.
Photo: BizBash
LRG, a clothing and accessories company, offered a docking station at its booth that provided eight chargers compatible with various iPhone, Android, and Blackberry devices. To entertain people while their phones charged, the stations included screens that showed videos of LRG products.
Photo: BizBash
Wave Zone Skimboards used some of its products to create a table.
Photo: BizBash
Throughout the three-day show, attendees could try stand-up paddle boarding at a 25- by 45-foot pool constructed on the expo floor.
Photo: BizBash
