If you’re planning a vacation to Orlando, FL, around the New Year, and you’re a water lover, surfer, or you just love aquatic sports, then you are really in luck! The Surf Expo 2020 is coming up in Orlando from Wednesday, January 8th through Friday, January 10th, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. It promises to be a great event for surfers, beach lovers, nature fanatics, and more.
The hottest trends and latest advances in surf-related technology, fashions, and hard goods will be on full display. You’ll also get to browse jewelry and outdoor accessories that go hand in hand with the surf lifestyle. It’s all happening on the North/South Concourse in the Orange County Convention Center.
Buyers
If you own or manage a retail business centered on aquatic lifestyles, you’ll definitely want to book a trip to the Surf Expo 2020. You will be able to visit the booths of more than 1,000 great exhibitors. Categories of exhibitors featured will include:
- Surf
- Bluewater
- Paddle
- Skate
The floor will be organized by product category to make buying easier. Surf, paddle, and skate should be relatively straightforward designations; the bluewater category will feature fishing, marine products, and fashion.
Shape Off
Surfers will appreciate the shape off competition and exhibitions at the convention. They will center around surfboard shaping. Craftsmen and shapers from across the country compete to replicate an iconic board as a tribute to Dick Catri, who contributed much to the industry of surfboard shaping. Judging will take place on Friday at 1:00 PM.
Learning Labs
Free to participants, these learning lab workshops are the place to learn skills and gain knowledge to stay ahead of the competition. They will cover many topics, including:
- Surfing In The Olympics: Tapping into surfing’s debut in the Tokyo 2020 Games to increase traffic and sales
- Women of Watersports – It Takes a Village
- Board Retailers Association (BRA) Retailer Roundtable Open Forum Discussion Event
- The US–China Trade War: How Additional Tariffs on Imports from China are Impacting the Outdoor Industry and How You Can Respond
- and many more
The 6th Annual Hawaii Pavilion
Attendees can enjoy a special pavilion featuring Hawaiian-inspired products. You will be able to find this event in the lifestyle pavilion.
Where to Stay
There are many great hotels near the Orlando Convention Center. Staying in one of the recommended hotels will make your trip convenient when visiting the show. Consider the Hyatt Place Orlando/Convention Center. It features 24/7 dining and is right on International Drive. There’s also the DoubleTree at SeaWorld, which is located on a 28-acre grounds that contains a myriad of entertainment options for your downtime. Finally, another good option is the Days Inn Orlando Convention Center, with its convenient location near the convention center.
Other Attractions in the Area
When you attend Surf Expo 2020, you’ll also be in the area of many great Orlando attractions. Some of the standout options include Discovery Cove, Walt Disney World, Icon Park, and Orlando Premium Outlets.
If you’re looking for something really cool, consider Icebar Orlando. This attraction features the world’s largest permanent ice bar (which is exactly what it sounds like), made of more than 70 tons of hand-carved ice. Icon Park is nearby and is home to The Wheel as well as the Orlando StarFlyer and lots of shopping and dining choices.
If you’re an avid surfer or part of the surf industry, you’ll want to get ready to have fun and learn about the latest trends at the great Surf Expo 2020. Enjoy this event while taking in the fun and excitement of Orlando, Florida, a welcome respite during the coldest month of the year.
