We have been sharing ideas between some key people on this topic, and one that I feel would benefit many consumers when purchasing new gear.
Before we invest time and interest into developing such concept, I thought I would throw some ideas down for you guys to comment on.
The idea,
To establish an expo dedicated to Kiteboarding and kite related sports. The demo would allow interested brands and stores to setup display's to demo equipment. This would be an unbiased meet for all, and allow networking oppurtunities for Retailers and more importantly give you guys the chance to demo gear for your selves.
This tour would effectively stop at 3-4 major locations in Australia, allowing 80-90% of kiters easy access to a range of products and brands that possibly they have not had access too. An event like this could be run relatively cost effective, but would need the complete support from the local Kiting population.
The Expo would not need a function room, nor will it need booths and fancy lighting etc, I say set it up like Kitestock in WA, but with more focus on the product and pupose of an expo. Interested brands could setup tents and kites and display the product. Kiteboarding events bring the great people in our sport together, so that we can continue to mature as a sport and make this sport last for ever.
I would be really keen to hear your ideas on the format and if you would like to attend such an event. We are prepared to orgainise it, if people will come
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Joe Millen
Hi Joe
Yes it is a fantastic idea, we offer our support 100%
I think the key to this would be to keep it as simple as possible, with focus on kiters being able to sample all that is on offer.
Lets make it happen!!
Cheers Dan
Cardboards
Tops idea. At least that way you can compare apples with apples in the same conditions.
Awesome - Everyone loves that aspect about Kitestock in WA - Give us east coasters something similar!
Sounds like a plan!
I'm sure the kiting community around Perth would support such an event but not sure how you'd go convincing any of the local councils to allow such a mass number of kites to be demo'd at "their" beach in the middle of summer.
Remember WA gets scared of anything new and different (Re DLS, trading hours etc. Which still sh...ts me!)
But if you couldn't convince them, I know myself (and Im sure others) would gladly travel an hour or two outside the metro area for such an event.
Great idea arsa!
This is a fantastic idea.
How about if you incorporated the Australian Kiteboard Expo as part of an existing expo?
I'm typing without doing the research here, but maybe rolling it into an existing boat, sail, extreme sport or surfing expo.
Not only would you attract existing punters, you would also get new kiters.
Stallholders could make more money and kiters can choose for themselves.
Only problem is that they may walk out buying a boat rather than a kite
Kite Mag George
It would be great to include WA, but we would not like to dampen any enthusiasm on the Kitestock event. Also it would be a logistical nigtmare for participating brands to ship gear to all locations. I kinda tink maybe have it in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne??????
WAKSA have a meeting tonight. I'll get it on the agenda.
But Im sure we would give it 100% support. Esp if we could get it here pre-Xmas when all the new season stuff is out but still new. I think thats what the industry would like to see as well. WAKSA has copped some criticism over having Kitestock too late in the season for 'new' demo gear to get 100% impact.
How about Mambo (end of Nov - you would have to do that) then on to Perth in Dec. It would be an awesome adjunct to Lances Kitejam which is already looking bigger & better again for 09/10.
This has been talked about for years as a desirable WAKSA event option. The caravanning idea would make it really easy, relatively cheap for kite cos. & (imo) a really BIG HUGE attraction.
Great Idea.
sounds like a great Idea. We have nothing like that in nsw. I would be stoked at the opportunity to see/demo gear from a bunch of different brands at the one spot.I am sure anybody interested in this great sport would be keen to attend.
Mambo has been mentioned a couple of times, but in my opinion it is too far away from Sydney, and the vast majority of the population of this state. I think a Brisbane/Sydney/ Melbourne tour makes sense cost wise/logistically/ and to reach the maximum amount of people.
No worries Joe, i get it.
So target audience is just kiteboarders and it would have to be on a beach of some sort with wind so people can try products.
OK I need a location for each. The obvious location would have clean access to the beach, be a safe area that you can kite at, but if possible host a park or Flat grassy area off the beach for dealers to setup tents.
If I have a basic idea of some locations like this at each local spot, it will make it easier to propose the event to the local councils and authorities with these things in mind.
At this stage I think Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and maybe Perth?
The market here is far too small to generate enough interests to make an event like this worthwhile. You are not going to attract many new comers to the event, and most, if not all existing kiters already know where to get gear from.
The industry here is far too messed up and a few big boys are trying to dominate and the market. Just too much biased approaches. Simply wont work. Punters will suss out what agendas you have behind your smiley faces in no time. The only way it will work is if it is organised by a totally non-industry based body such as AKSA. Saying that, reading all the crap on this forum I think most people in AKSA are linked to a shop and have their own agendas. As messed up as the industry.
I think the QLD spot is gonna be hard to pick...
You could go Brighton - but lots of people hate it there... Yuck water, no beach and no waves
You could go on the Gold Coast - But the guys from the Sunny coast might not drive. Also the only locations suitable for this kind of even are in the waves - which means the learners and wake riders won't come...
Or you could go Sunny Coast, and suffer the same difficulties from the Gold Coast riders...
That being said - I think the Brisbane Expo would be pretty big - we've got like 10 kite shops within a 3 hour radius... Add the cheap guys selling from their Vans and it's more like 15!
Not wanting to rain on the parade here, however we already have 2 events identical to the concept idea - Kitestock and Mambo.
So maybe only need to have one further up the coast somewhere in Qld?
Does that include your cheap big brother in Perth who also sell off his van Rhys? [}:)]
Like yourself, you are the Best importer. Try and explain why you would want to sell any other brands more than your imported brands? Are you not in business to make money? Tell me no, and I'll tell you you should not be in business. All the crap about people from the industry all saying they are not doing it for money. Who are you all trying to kid?
There have been moments when I thought AKSA were really becoming a proper organisation. I do sincerely hope they are too for the sake of Australian kiteboarding. However I have yet to see that happening. Are any board members still on the salary and are all meeting minutes posted at the website? I just looked and Mike Walker is the CEO. Doesnt Mike runs a kite school/shop on the Sunshine Coast, and was he not the AKSA President at one time and getting paid too? Last financial report posted is dated 2007. Where are the 2008 reports? You should have completed 2009 ones by now too. Not trying to talk down on the association, but with all other issues other people have brought out on this forum, there still seems to be lots of hidden agendas around.
Hold the Qld one at Elliott Heads. It was good enough for the Nationals. Plenty of cheap accomodation and camping and an easier drive for people coming from further north like Gladstone, Mackay and Townsville.
