This week I took a redeye to the south east. Reason for the trip was to go on behalf of ASR / Class at ASR and support a couple of tradeshows in Florida.

Usually I can handle redeye flights with ease. This one kicked my ass however the trip was a great one. I landed in Tampa grabbed the rental car and headed to SPoT. They we’re throwing a tradeshow called the Moat Show. Let me tell you, it was WARM. Very warm. There was an eyeball named Bill spinning in the Atlantic that didn’t hit land while I was there which couldv’e added to the fun but people we’re amped on the surf about to pound the east coast.

So the boys at SPoT had a good turnout. Skate companies came out and set up their 10×10 easy-ups. The people I talked to seemed to be satisfied with the retail turnout and the crowds of the general public cruising the show. Immediately after the show a best trick contest began so as the show closed we headed inside where people were skating all day. Torey Pudwill from Dwindle / Podium manhandled the best trick. Congrats sir!

Czar in Ybor City once again to end the evening was good times as always.   Woke up the next morning and started my drive to Orlando for Surf Expo. I was greeted in the front by Sean Smith and a good game that almost made me shit myself. Anyhow, I met up with Surf Expo Captain and 1st mate Roy Turner and Sean O’Brien for a badge and chat. Those guys are really rad guys. Thanks for letting me in misters. need I say more?

The show was good. Volcom did there thing and themed it up. Pretty funny booth set up.. love them.. RVCA, Atwater, Sector 9 and Vans seemed to be killing it in my short time there. I went by to visit John Gothard in the Sanuk booth and they were crushing it with their new Tube Flop. Wow! they are going to sell a grip of those.. Nice job guys!

Got to visit with many friends at the show I haven’t seen in a while. Some of them were there to skate the set up Surf Expo did for their demos during the show. Enjoyed that as well. Others like the Eastern Skateboard and Surf Supply crew were there doing their thing.

Thank you both SPoT and Surf Expo for your hospitality.

The Moat. I have seen people swim in this for free product during Tampa Pro and Tampa Am contests in the past.

The Moat Show!!!! The show was set up out side behind the park. It was balmy but you can head inside the snack shack to cool off and check out some art.

SPoTs Barak Wise with Jose from Dwindle. Barak is an idea man but it wasn’t his idea to have those two dude in the backround.

Surf Expo’s Roy Turner and Sean O’Brien. they rule.

Eastern Skate Supply main man Reggie Barns on left. I surfed with him in North Carolina. He surfs well. middle is Bruce Walker of Ocean Avenue, and  Abraham Paskowitz was good to catch up with as well.. Abe’s running Mavericks Surf Clothing now and we wish him the best.

Autograph signing in front of Eastern Skate Supply booth. Creager got me good this very night..

RANDOM Pic. Okay .. Usually I go through a few of my pics from the past and when I laugh I post the “Random Pic” Well this pic was actually taken at my hotel in Orlando. I wanted to meet up with Josh Hunter from Transworld Business and a few others and jump in the pool.  Here’s the story.. SOMEONE POOOOOOOOOOhed in the pool. We asked to see the person who committed such and act on this warm post tradeshow evening. I figured if the person looked pretty normal we can still jump in. No such luck. Security surrounded the pool. It was probably a little tike,  so we found some of the Volcom crew in the kiddie pool / fountain and we splashed about in that for a bit.   that was cool and all but have a look at the guy in the pic behind the security guard. He is setting up to hook something big in the pool. How big was that thing?

Just got to the Ocean Institute in South Orange County. We were there for SIMA’s “Sales & Marketing”Boot Camp.  It was a pretty day out, so parking my pirate ship was tough but I squeezed into a spot. Hope I don’t get a ticket.   Anyhow Doug Palladini from Vans and now pres. of SIMA delivered the opening address.

Next up, Michael Wood from TRU. TRU is a market research and consulting firm for the youth. He did a great job and reading the little bio on him I saw he has been quoted in NY Times, Business Week, CNN, Wall Street Journal and much more.. Now he made this busted blog… Nice one Michael and thank you for the solid info… Check them out at tru-insight.com.

Then Transworld Biz boss, Rob Campbell came up to moderate our four panelists. Tom Holbrook from Quiksilver, Jeff Moore from Vans, Greg “GO” Osthus of Atwater, and some handsome youngbuck from Hurley by the name of Mark Weber. All to talk about navigating our current changing climate. I would say this was a very inspiring panel. These guys have a wide array of industry knowledge. A couple tidbits I’ll share are as follows:

• You’re reps are feeling isolated out there so provide them with support and motivation to keep momentum.
• Build and or focus on product that best represents the DNA of the brand and sell items to retailers that will properly follow suit.
• Retailers are focusing on margin more than ever.

Mark mentioned the consumer’s mindset is to look for a deal out there right now. So true.  We can all agree we are in the same game. I have never looked at the price of eggs and milk until end of last year. EL Prez Palladini came back up for a bit to share the 2008 SIMA Retail Distribution Study Results. If you are not yet a SIMA member sign up. Then email http://www.jennifer@SIMA.com for some solid info.

Some good news from this though. There are 4900 Surf / Skate shops. Of the shops surveyed footwear is up from 06 to 08 and softgoods are just about flat. Not bad!! Another thing that stuck out for me was the importance of Skateboards within these shops. food for thought…

One thing I want to get off my chest. The new dates are locked for SIMA in Cabo. Send/ fax or drive your registrations to SIMA like today. I want us all to come off the tradeshow craze and just shy of the holidays, we go down and celebrate the good life of Baker and just posse up for a good end of the year goodbye to a silly 09. DO IT!! Lets surf…  See you at ASR then Cabo.  Thank you ASR for getting me there.  Thank you SIMA for a great job and solid insight to chew on for a bit.  Thank you Flanny for your duck-tail.

-Jim Shubin
ASRbiz.com
ClassAtASR.com

Check out live tweets from boot camp via ASR’s Leanne Milliken aka @HurricaneLeezy

The Posse. Love, live, learning.

During the break. Is this where they filmed night at the museum?

Flanny’s new thong ishh. love it.

The Panelists killing it..

SIMA’s Executive Director Sean Smith (wow what a year he’s had) and Leanne Milliken, Nielsen Group / ASR’s retail group marketing manager post Boot Camp. Hey guys this girl is rad. FYI.

Shit.. i got a parking ticket! sticking out from the curb again..

random pic- This is a pic from 5 or 6 years ago at the ooolllld SIMA offices. I was at Ezekiel at the time and for Cinco De Mayo I paid for a 6 person Mariachi Band to roll with me around town. A few mags, and few companies , etc. Well, this is when we blasted through the doors of SIMA. I was never reimbursed for these expenses.. ha.

Hundreds of surf industry, family and friend gathered Sunday afternoon for Dick Bakers Memorial. Dick passed away in April of Cancer and it truly will not sink in for a while.
Pulling in the lot and walking towards the picnic area we had lumps in our throats, but as we left the beautiful ceremony and paddle out we left with smiles. We left feeling thankful we new Dick and that we are all a part of this industry we work in.

Industry leaders their families most with boards under their arms listened to some very touching memories of Dicks mark in their lives. And man did he touch many. Legendary PT moderated as we heard amazing stories from a few key people in Dick’s life. He was always a great mentor for us all as he worked with companies from Esprit, Tommy Hilfiger, Izod then blending into the surf world with OP and steering SIMA for almost a decade. Not to mention his involvement with many environmental / humanitarian organizations and community service. Dick was a big part of Surf Aid getting integrated into the surf industry. This is only scratching the surface of his achievements.

Until Sunday’s memorial I had no clue how many people Dick had helped, mentored, and inspired. He helped me on many occasions even if it was just an ear at his local Starbucks. He would digest a few of my random ideas, dice them up and set me straight for my next move. I have to admit one of my ideas which he told me absolutely not to do at the time. I went for it anyway. This was about 3 years ago. Long story short I should’ve listened to him.

The paddle out was an amazing scene. I will mention the water had dropped a couple points and a few of us could’ve used more neoprene but it was amazing. Dick’s wife Una and his two boys Ryan and Jack jumped in off a boat and gathered in the center of the circle as everyone splashed, threw flowers and yelled.

PT was one of the last in from the circle of hundreds. It was amazing to see him catch one in. He was on an original board from the movie Big Wednesday that Jack Barlowe surfed..

If you signed in Bakers books you took a peak at a few pretty incredible photos of Bakers life. If you didn’t get a chance to see them make sure you make it to Cabo for the next SIMA Summit as you might get a chance to check them out..

Thank you Dick.

Thank You Una, Ryan, and Jack for sharing your husband and father with us.
He was a remarkable person that was a true blessing from God.

- Jim Shubin

Gathered to listen to stories and achievements of a great life.

The paddle out.

PT riding one in on Jack Barlowe’s original board from Big Wednesday in “78”. Amazing moment.

The boys remembering Baker. Dan from ASR, the boys from AMBSN, Josh from TWBiz, and Sean Smith from SIMA.

Dick Baker’s greatest achievement. Una, Ryan, and Jack.