Check out highlights of ASR 2001, the world's hottest trade expo!

What happens when over 500 of the world's most influential manufacturers of action sports gear and apparel come together to show off their hottest stuff? You get a phenomenal event, the Action Sports Retailer Trade Expo! Established in 1981, ASR is a closed-to-the-public trade convention, but it's much more than your average trade show. ASR is the leader for an industry that's all about leisure, recreation, fun, and of course, fashion.

For the past 20 years, ASR has been bringing the future of youth culture to those who bring it to the rest of us: buyers for the stores we shop at. Buyers come from all over the globe representing a huge spectrum of markets: surf, skate, swim, snow, resort, in-line, and boutique specialty stores, department stores, sporting-goods stores, distribution companies, and international buying groups. ASR traces its origins to the surf, skate, and snow markets but has since flourished to become the place to find out what's hot within the entire youth market. This year's event drew over 20,000 people to the Long Beach Convention Center.

You couldn't go far at ASR without bumping into FIDM alumni! Graduates from all majors were there checking out the new products and enjoying the vibes. Split, Quiksilver, Third Rail, and Surf Chick are just a few of the companies that were represented at the show by FIDM graduates. '91 alumna Kirsten Gould was at ASR with Split where she is head of the Junior Design Department. Split is a leading apparel company inspired by board sports and active youth lifestyles. She sees a trend movement towards femininity in girl's sportswear, with "sweaters, metallic trims, detailing, and T-shirts that are highly-embellished with rhinestones, foil, and shimmer inks."

ASR stayed true to the one of the industry's strongest inspirations by featuring live skateboarding demonstrations. At the Streetcourse Demos, the world's top urban terrain skateboarding athletes showed their skill on various handrails, jump-ramps, and quarter-pipes. Crowds also gathered to watch the Vertical Ramp Demos, where talented professional skateboarders defied the laws of gravity with their incredible vertical stunts. ASR-goers stayed busy with an Industry Party for networking and a Surf Auction for surf memorabilia like antique surfboards and rare, original surf art.

Once again, this year's ASR provided a direct link to the influences and products shaping the action sports industries. Whether you call it trend forecasting or downright divination, ASR is all about taking a sneak peak into the future of youth culture!