We’ve been doing a series of interviews with the vendors that are coming to our tradeshow (Oct 1 and 2, in Roanoke, VA). We’ve already sent out:
Roller Derby – Tony Muse and Will Marion
RollerBones – Vicki Handyside
Sure-Grip – Jim Ball and Steven Ball
Today we’re talking to Jim McMahon and Angela Tanner from the RSA’s national office.
How are things at the RSA as the fall season gets ready to start? The RSA is hopping right now with having just completed Sk8Expo which had a record high attendance this past August. We moved this show up from our typical mid-September dates this year. We also are about to begin National Roller Skating Month and our members have had their materials since the beginning of August. This year’s poster has been very well received. We also are working on receiving the ASCAP payments from our member’s and working hard on several new initiatives.
How do you see the skating market right now? We see it as a very positive market with many members stating that they are having a better year this year than last year at this time. We see this as a very positive thing as the season for skating is really only just now about to take off.
Are your members optimistic as the skate season gets started? See previous answer, lol. But yes, most of our member’s seem to be feeling very positively about their upcoming STEM School parties, Halloween programming, and other activities.
Who from the RSA is planning to come to our show? President Jeff Couey and Executive Director Jim McMahon will be in attendance representing the RSA. The RSA will also have a booth at this year’s show.
Do you have any new programs coming out this fall? We just launched our new partnerships with both ASCAP and Airgas and we think these two programs will really benefit our membership not just this year but in the years to come.
What is new or different this year? We have moved up the date our annual convention to the end of April which is a departure from our May date. We hope this will increase attendance. We are also back on the Strip for the first time in approximately a decade.
What are you hoping to launch soon? We are about to launch our Kids Skate Free digital magazine which is an online parenting magazine called Today’s Family Fun. We think this will help increase skate sales, birthday parties, and increased awareness of roller skating.
Tell us a little about the meetings the RSA will be hosting on Monday night? [editor’s note – these meetings are NOT just for RSA members, they’re open to anyone that attends our tradeshow] I anticipate this to be another great meeting as it has been in the past. Section 12 has consistently done a fabulous job. This is really their meeting not ours but I look forward to the opportunity to participate and present during their meeting.
Anything else you’d like our customers to know as they get ready for our show? This show is a great opportunity to network with your fellow rink operators but even without the excellent networking time and great vendors this show is worth attending for a third reason. The food. This show always has the best food. Glenn is also always a gracious host. We thank him for allowing us to have a booth at his show.
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