CARV Expo Returns Bigger in Year Two
- Mark Sawyer-Chu
- Jun 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 13
More brands on the floor and more buyers in the room as the West Coast’s only surf, action sports, outdoor adventure, and coastal lifstyle trade show builds on its San Diego debut.
ALPHARETTA, GA — June 4, 2026 — CARV Expo wrapped its second edition at the San Diego
Convention Center on May 15, and the West Coast turned out. The exhibitor floor grew 37%
over its 2025 debut, with attendance up 13% year over year.
The Outerknown/Firewire/Slater Designs booth was bustling during the show. Dan Mann is always one of the nicest shapers to talk to. Plus, cameo sighting from industry legend, Melissa Ziegler! Her first week on the new job as well.
The brands came — and so did the buyers. The room skewed heavily toward the people who
place orders — the majority make or influence purchasing decisions, and more than half
manage over $500,000 in annual buying. Surf and skate retailers led the floor, alongside
apparel, footwear, specialty, resort, and outdoor crossover stores.
It was a West Coast room with national reach. Most buyers came from California and Hawaii —
the access advantage CARV is built on — but the floor drew retailers from 23 states in all, plus
international buyers from as far as Mexico, Curaçao, and the Bahamas. Returning buyers from
CARV's debut were joined by a strong turn of retailers attending for the first time, a sign the
show is broadening its reach as it grows.
The paper and pens were busy at the Salty Crew booth.
The show moved business on both sides of the aisle. Most buyers (83%) discovered a new
product, 97% wrote orders at the show or left planning to, and three out of four exhibitors
connected with buyers they had never worked with before.
One of my favorite takeaways from CARV was all the high fives, hugs, laughs, and meaningful conversations—both standing in the aisles and sitting down with pens in hand, doing business, said Josh Rifkin, Partner and Co-Founder CARV Expo.
Josh is a San Diego core lord and one of the best voices to lead this show.
"The message we're hearing from brands, retailers, and industry leaders is consistent: we're on the right track. Most reported 50-100% more appointments. We're incredibly grateful for the support and feedback from both sides of the industry, and we're committed to continuing to listen. Our goal isn't growth at all costs—it's purposeful growth. We believe that slow is pro, and we'll continue to carefully curate the experience while thoughtfully expanding categories and verticals that add value to the community. We're excited about what's ahead and even more excited to build it together," said SD Core Lord (aka Josh Rifkin).
"CARV stepped things up for year two. More accounts, more brands, and more foot traffic," said Aaron Griffiths of Rusty USA.
"CARV brought together the right people in the right environment. We left with stronger relationships, new opportunities, and excitement for what’s ahead," said Amy Johnson of T&C Surf.
San Diego: the birthplace of Action Sports culture.
Participating brands spanned the breadth of the show — heritage names like Quiksilver, Hurley,
Volcom, and Rusty; surf brands such as Pyzel, Flying Diamonds, Thunderbolt, FCS, Firewire
and Hayden Shapes; skate brands like Deluxe, Tum Yeto, Limpies, Strght, Keen, Arbor, Loaded,
and Sector 9; eyewear from Oakley, Costa, Smith & Co.; footwear from Reef, Cobian, Xtratuf,
Sanuk and OluKai; hydration and outdoor brands like HydroFlask, Klean Kanteen and Ocean
Bottle; apparel from Instinct, Free Fly, Salty Crew, Seager, Florence, Rhythm, Jetty, and Katin;
and beach and accessories brands like Booē, Sand Cloud, Aloha Collection, Fahlo and Thread
— among more than 160 brands on the floor.
Nothing like a skate jam in downtown San Diego to get people psyched!
Red Bull capped Day 1 with its Best Trick Jam on the plaza just outside the exhibit hall, where
local skate shops’ team riders competed for cash prizes — an outdoor session to cap the day.
Skate, footwear, eyewear, and beach accessories were among the show's fastest-growing
categories —categories CARV will continue leaning into as they grow the show. The team also
plans to focus on growing surf hardgoods, outdoor/adventure, and private label.
CARV Expo will return to the San Diego Convention Center on May 13–14, 2027. Exhibitor
booth reservations are open now at carvexpo.com. See ya there!
CONTACT:
Evan Shoda
Mark Sawyer-Chu
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