Highlights of the 2008 KTAI Trade Show and new products
The 2008 Kite Trade Assoc. Intl. Convention and Trade Show was held in Portland, OR Jan 7 to 11. Over a hundred of the movers and shakers of the kite world attended. Kite store Dealers from all over the country and Vendor/Exhibitors and Kite Designers came together for the annual meeting to exchange ideas, see new products and celebrate and award their most influential and noted contributing members. The Revolution kite flying team I-Quad received the award for the best Kite Promotion. Emphasis here is on promoting the sport. Past years the award was for best marketing effort, catalog, etc. George Emmons, of Into the Wind, got the Checkley Lifetime achievement award. All the nominees were deserving.
The Trade Show was set in the Ballroom of the Red Lion Jantzen Beach Hotel on the banks of the mighty Columbia River separating OR and WA State. The huge wall of windows overlooking the river gave a spectacular look to the kite displays, even if sunlight was in short supply. Some new products (but not all) that caught our eye were Premier Kites new Spider line of stunt kites by Jon Trennepohl & Wayne Brunjes. Notably the Wolf and the Widow are huge steps forward for Premier. Jon’s previous kites flew well, but became design dated. The new Spider series has a velcro T at the spine base, allowing the addition of a spine weight. (more…)
