A week of learning

As I last posted I just spent a few days at a conference in Irving, TX. One of the days was spent attending a trade show from the industry and the rest was spent in lectures and meetings. Not always exciting but you do learn a lot.

Here are a few highlights in no real order

• Met the CEO of New Balance. It isn't every day that you get to meet a guy that runs a billion dollar company.
• I think the changes Pearl Izumi has made to there shoes will be very good. I spent a little time talking with their run team (Chuck, Geoff, Bob) and we are all on the same page for once.
• Ecco has made a really cool niche shoe (pictured above), that I will be testing shortly. The down side is I don't think it is the best time for a brand to launch a $200+ shoe.
• Spent some time talking with JD Denton from Fleet Feet Davis. Many runners know JD as the Shoe Guy from Running Times magazine. I learn something everytime I talk with him and I'm glad I can call him anytime I need to.
• I was curious why Zoot hadn't sent their top team leaders as they usually do. Then it was anounced on Thursday that Zoot was sold to K2, so that makes sense. It will be nice for them to have some good money behind them.
• Testing a new brand on a tired foot on a concrete path is rough on the feet. Standing all day at a trade show is worse.
• I also tested the new Saucony Guide. Very nice ride but it may be the narrowest Saucony since the Procyon. That may be an issue for some long time Saucony wearers.
• Spent some good time talking with VP's and line managers from many companies. It is always good to be able to talk higher up the food chain then the ocal rep. We are lucky that we have gotten to know many of the people that have a lot of influence inthe industry.
• Saucony has made one hell of a winter/mud trail shoe for next fall. Based on a great current shoe but with an added waterproof gaiter. This thing will rock.
• adidas is really trying to become a relevant running company again. I think it is always important that the big players take our channel seriously.
• We had a fashion show on Monday that was a lot of fun. Some companies know how to do it right.
• Sat in on a talk from the head of buying for Nike Stores. She had some very smart ways to do buying that they have just developed and we will be using for fall '09.
• Go to Texas in the winter and you would think it would be warm. Wrong, sub 30 in the am for the runs.

I'm sure I learned more but that's it for now.