To Our Valued Members & Partners,

2019 has been another big one, and I would like to thank you for your ongoing support throughout the year.

We kicked off with our annual Sunset Session Event which raised over $5,000 for Surfrider Foundation!! This event was followed by our first Industry Round Table of the year which you attended in record numbers (thank you) where we presented a diverse range of keynotes and industry stalwart, Greg Healy from Boardriders.

We were also incredibly proud to have presented the inaugural SBIA Women in Industry Event.  We were overwhelmed with the support this event was given and look forward to presenting the next event in the series in March 2020.

This year also saw us moving to a new format and venue for the SBIA Awards, it was another great awards celebration and we were proud to present Dougall Walker with the 2019 Service to the Industry Award.   Who will it be next year? Time will tell!

Throughout the year we were also delighted to announce three new partners AB Phillips, Arch & Hook and Fox Guard who are providing our members with exclusive support and pricing on their products.   We are also incredibly grateful to our existing sponsors Brandscope, ProSpace, Surfing World, Coastal Watch, Stryker Media, Shop! and the ARA for their ongoing support.

As we move towards a new decade (yep, 2020), the SBIA Board of Management are working towards new initiatives to deliver even more member benefits, develop stronger environmental and sustainability alliances and continue to present relevant, thought provoking content at each of our events.

With that in mind, schedule on your diaries first round 2020 events:

  • SBIA Sunset Session: 6pm, Monday 30th March – Gold Coast
  • SBIA Surfing Event: 7am, Tuesday 31st March – Gold Coast
  • SBIA Women In Industry Breakfast: 8.30am, Tuesday 31st March – Gold Coast
  • SBIA Industry Round Table: 12.30pm, Tuesday 31st March – Gold Coast

We will also be presenting some training/professional development opportunities to you throughout the year, so stay tuned for more information!

I would also like to personally acknowledge and thank the SBIA Board of Management for their time, hard work and dedication to our association.   Each Board Member provides valuable support, inspiration, professional contribution and insight not only for our events, but in the day-to-day operation of the SBIA. 

President: Anthony “Macka” Wilson – Wilson Retail Co. 
Vice President: Mark Hudson – Director – Dragon/Retail
Secretary/Treasurer: Damian Campbell – Head of Sales, Boardriders
Board Member: Alison Thomas – Volcom AU/NZ General Manager
Board Member: Neil Ritchie- Alto Sports
Board Member: Justin Hillberg – Group Operations Director of Alceon Retail
Independent Board Member: Russell Zimmerman – Executive Director, Australian Retailers Association (ARA)

And, not forgetting our long-standing Board Member Andy Ireland (who stepped down in October 2019) for his years of dedication and hard work! 

Thank you again to all our members, partners, content contributors, keynote speakers and presenters who have supported us throughout the year. 

We will be logging off from the 23rd December and will recommence business on the 6th January 2020.  I will be checking our email address intermittently throughout this time.

In the meantime, click the image above for a recap on our 2019 events. 

Have a Safe and Happy Christmas!
Lyndall Browning, SBIA Executive Officer