FAQ – What is WWSRA?

Founded in 1949, WWSRA (Western Winter Sports Representatives Association) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting growth and success in the outdoor, snowsports, and active lifestyle industries.

Our mission, set by our founding members, still holds up today:

• To facilitate the buy/sell cycle through timely, cost-effective trade shows and demos
• To serve as a voice and advocate for sales representatives nationally
• To provide venues that strengthen relationships between reps and retailers in their home territories

We remain committed to honoring our history while embracing innovation and evolution in the industries we serve.

Our Mission

Since the beginning, our core goal has been to help sales reps and retailers throughout the Western U.S. work, connect, and thrive in the outdoor and active lifestyle space. We produce regional events that are:

• Efficient and cost-effective
  
• Aligned with critical buy/sell timelines
  
• Rooted in community and relationship-building
  

WWSRA proudly serves reps across multiple categories and territories and continues to advocate for their success on a national level.

Our Commitment

We are committed to growing, learning, and adapting, just like the industries we serve. What began as a small group of Northern California ski reps is now a dynamic and diverse network of over 1,000 members and 2,500 retailers across six regions.

We’re a collective of passionate individuals who have built careers around the lifestyles we love, and we’re here to ensure that others can do the same.

Supporting Reps & Retailers

As the national event landscape (Outdoor Retailer, GOA, SSL/SMC) continues to evolve, WWSRA and other regional rep associations are being asked to provide real, regional solutions that address the unique and often overlapping needs of the outdoor, snowsports, and active lifestyle categories.

We cover a wide cross-section of products — from skis and snowboards to camping gear, outerwear, footwear, SUPs, and skateboards. If a product or brand sells into the outdoor/snowsports/active lifestyle space, it belongs here — and that inclusivity benefits all of us.

That said, managing so many categories and timelines isn’t without its challenges. Our job as your association is to:

• Listen to our members
• Assess a wide variety of needs
• Offer solutions, options, and opportunities for cost-effective, regional product visibility

Will every show be perfect for every brand, rep, or retailer? No. But with thousands of members and retailers across six regions, we are committed to creating the best possible structure for the majority and to making continuous improvements each season.

We encourage you to sign up early, so we can all make informed decisions based on real-time data about who’s attending, where, and when.