TRENDCAST/06: HIGHLIGHTING THE BEST OF FITNESS, OUTDOOR AND LIFESTYLE GEAR AND ACCESSORIES
Afternoon Fitness Demo to Precede Evening Event

WHO: Outdoor, fitness and sporting goods manufacturers/vendors and interested members of the media. Open to 20-25 brands who will be displaying their latest product introductions to members of the media.

WHAT: TrendCast/06, founded and hosted by True North Brand Group in partnership with the SGMA, this is a made-for-the-media showcase of new trends and product introductions in the active lifestyle, outdoor and sporting goods industry. Products will range from fitness to footwear to outdoors to apparel to team to extreme. Prior to TrendCast, attendees are invited to attend FitCast.

TrendCast will be broken down into three zones:

Outdoor Zone: This will feature brands who target the great outdoor including gear companies like ski and snowshoe as well as outdoor apparel brands / accessories.
Fitness Zone: Brands who make state of the art work-out gear / accessories and apparel.
Lifestyle Zone: Brands who speak to the above demographics but make products geared toward that person once they get out of the gym or off the trail.

FitCast: This is a separate new event targeted to fitness media, enabling them to sample the latest work-out equipment, programs and apparel. A select list of key fitness writers and producers will be invited to sample the latest fitness equipment and experience unique fitness workouts touted by your brand, key athletes, etc. FitCast is also a great opportunity to allow media members to work out in new fitness apparel and footwear.

WHEN: June 8
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm (FitCast event)
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm (TrendCast event)

WHERE: Reebok Sports Club
160 Columbus Avenue
New York, NY
212-362-6800

WHY: TrendCast is an opportunity for manufacturers/marketers to showcase to the
media the latest trends and product introductions in the sports and fitness
industries. Also, at TrendCast, those in attendance will learn the latest sports
and fitness participation trends in the USA.

True North Brand Group, Inc. is a full service marketing and public relations firm offering brand-building solutions for brands in the lifestyle, outdoor, and athletic / fitness marketplace. For more information about True North please visit: www.truenorthpr.com

The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) is the global business trade association of manufacturers, retailers, and marketers in the sports products industry. SGMA, owner of the Sports Research Partnership®, enhances industry vitality and fosters sports, fitness, and active lifestyle participation. More information about SGMA can be found at www.SGMA.com.
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THE MEDIA TAKES ON KILLINGTON
Seventeen Editors from 14 different publications got a head start on the 2006-07 ski season having an opportunity to check out some great new gear for the coming season at Killington Mountain Resort. The event, which took place March 30-April 2 offered up everything from near 70 degree temperatures to monsoon like rain to more traditional spring skiing conditions in the 40s.

Among the media outlets on hand were the likes of Stuff Magazine, Women's Health, MTV, Health Magazine, eCity of Style, Serious Fun Productions, Playboy Magazine, GQ, Best Life, Flaunt, Popular Science and Elite Traveller.

Over the course of the weekend Editors had a chance to hear detailed presentations from some leading outdoor and lifestyle brands followed by an opportunity to demo some of the latest gear.

The weekend also included everything from a dance contest at the Wobbly Barn, some great bands - even if some were playing at the same time - and some great food at the Mountain Top Inn and the Wobbly Barn. Presenting brands included:

• Volkl: Leading maker of high end skis, Volkl detailed the changing trend in ski manufacturing that now offers consumers a range of skis that match up to different ski conditions. Most are now made with integrated binding systems. Ski categories range from big powder skis ideal for the Rockies to all mountain carving skis. The media learned about the different types of skis and had a chance to try a range of skis that will be available next winter. For more information please visit: www.volkl.com
• Tecnica: Like the changes taking place in the ski business, ski boots have also evolved to not only match up to skier's ability - but foot volume as well. And like the ski business, today's ski boots also offer boots made especially for a women's foot. At both Tecnica and Volkl this women's specific collection is called "Attiva." Learn more at www.tecnicausa.com
• Columbia Sportswear was on hand to highlight its new line of high end "Titanium" ski wear. This line, which includes seam-sealed shells, some with integrated yet removable soft shell liners held up to the driving rain as well as the evening chills that swept thru Killington over the weekend. www.columbia.com
• Sorel: Owned by Columbia, the assembled media had a chance to test out the latest from Sorel which manufactures some of the warmest winter pack style boots available in the market. Visit www.sorel.com for more information.
• Tubbs Snowshoes: Tubbs Snowshoes is celebrating its 100 year anniversary with an entirely revamped product line which includes the most easy to use binding systems in its long and successful history. The assembled media learned about the versatility of the sport which is an ideal family activity on one end to a rigorous fitness activity on the other end that can burn upwards of 750 calories an hour. Pico Mountain was the scene of the morning snowshoe trek. To learn more about Tubbs Snowshoes please visit: www.tubbssnowshoes.com
• Killington Mountain Resort: With weather pushing the mercury to 70 degrees, Killington was one of the few places left in the East that was still offering skiing as the calendar turned to April. Killington representatives spoke about its more efficient snow making system as making a difference. Also, the company detailed plans of a major expansion which includes a village at the base of the mountain. Editors stayed at the Grand Resort, located at the base of Snowshed which features a year-round outdoor pool, full conference facilities, restaurant and bar. To learn more about Killington please visit www.killington.com
• SWIX: With temperatures soaring it turned out to be a perfect opportunity to test the new bodywear collection from SWIX. The company, which has been outfitting world class Nordic athletes for years, now offers a full collection of apparel for any winter activity that involves perspiration. SWIX now offers a full range of bodywear, activewear, hats, gloves and even shells and coats to keep the active outdoorsman (and woman) comfortable and stylin all winter long! Learn more at www.swixsport.com
• Sigg Bottles: There is cool - and then there is SIGG! This maker of aluminum water bottles spoke about the growth of the water bottle business and how it has evolved as people are looking to be more environmentally responsible using less over the counter PET bottles. SIGG bottles can be used over and over, are easily cleaned and virtually indestructible. Please visit www.sigg.com to see all the latest colors and styles.
• Walk-EZ: Getting to the lift has never been easier. This innovative new product attaches to the bottom of your ski boot and makes walking in ski boots as easy as walking in running shoes. Called the "Revolution" this new device gives the user a rocker motion and actually makes walking in ski boots comfortable! See them at www.walk-ez.com
• LifePlay: A maker of backyard play equipment, LifePlay makes playground quality play equipment for the backyard. With childhood obesity on the rise, LifePlay spoke about the importance of outdoor play time for children and for many, the answer is an outdoor play system. To learn more please visit: www.performancedesign.com
• Marker: Fast becoming the leader in goggles and helmets, Marker offers cutting edge technology and design. The all new M4 is an in-molded, double shell helmet that is extremely light in weight and is incredibly close fitting offering less bulk, more style! The M4 is even wired for music, Bluetooth and Ortovox for on the slope tunes, talking and safety. Used in several goggle models, the NXT lens is the same material used in Apache helicopters - its strong, safe and has the closest clarity to glass. www.markerusa.com
• Völkl Snowboard: Unique graphics. Superior craftsmanship. Innovation. Volkl snowboards are high top performers on the slopes. The highlight of the line is the Selecta with a unique powder channel making "surfing" the powder easy and fun. The board sports a stylish wood grain top sheet, wood sidewalls with branding and a base with die cuts. Simply put, its a gorgeous board. Volkl also is introducing boards for the park n' pipe crowd and boards for women that are lighter, smaller and feature the same technology and performance features as the men's. www.volkl.com
• Kombi: Becoming synonymous with innovation when you talk about the glove market, editors sampled Kombi's new spring gloves and mother nature offered the perfect weather to test out the gloves that not only keep you warm but suck moisture away from the hand like there is no tomorrow no matter how warm the spring skiing conditions get! With a soft, silk finish, Kombi's antimicrobial featherweight baselayer top and bottoms were ideal for the varied temperature experienced throughout the weekend. For more information, www.kombiltd.com
• Turtle Fur: You know Turtle Fur - reliable, stylin and warm - not to mention comfortable and soft. But there is more. The brand is also reaching out to a younger consumer with a new brand called FU-R. It's decidedly younger than Turtle Fur but offers some of the same attributes that put Turtle Fur on the map. The brand also highlighted a new technology called Fog Free. For the harshest weather that winter can offer, Fog Free is a technology incorporated into face wear garments that cover your face but keep your goggles from "fogging" up. For more information please visit: www.turtlefurgroup.com
• SeeWorthy, Inc. - After a hard day on the hill it was time to hit the pool and fortunately we had SeeWorthy! A maker of high end water goggles, SeeWorthy makes its goggles "customizable" to most any eye prescription - and it can be done on the spot. So whether you wear glasses or not, SeeWorthy ensures that you can jump into the pool without having your vision impaired underwater! Learn more at www.seeworthyinc.com
• The Mountain Top Inn: Hosted a fantastic cocktail reception at the Jewel House and dinner at the Inn. Vermont’s classic four season resort, located in Central Vermont, is located just 11 miles from Killington. It's majestically set on 350 acres with sweeping views of a pristine mountain lake and an infinite expanse of National Forest, The Mountain Top Inn & Resort offers an endless array of outdoor adventures, ideal for both couples and families....there’s something for everyone. Please visit: www.mountaintopinn.com
• Mercedes-Benz - If you're going to use the best equipment - Volkl, Tubbs, Tecnica, etc...and look great while you use it, Columbia, SWIX, etc., than you should be traveling in style as well and Mercedes-Benz took care of that! The maker of premium automobiles was on hand with a fleet of new GLs, it's brand new answer to getting to the outdoors! The new GL seats 7, has 80 Cubic Feet of storage capacity, a 335 hp engine and all the bells and whistles you could possibly think of. (The Mercedes Fleet, pictured above) www.media.mbusa.com to learn more.