BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
On 31st August BikeBiz.com broke the news that Interbike would be moving from Las Vegas and would be switching to early August.
Interbike officials confirmed our story at the Eurobike Demo Day. Now, there’s an official press release, given in full below.
Headline: New dates for the premier U.S. bicycle trade show better coincide with industry’s current buy-sell cycle
Body copy: In an effort to continue to best serve the overall needs of the bicycle industry, Interbike management has decided to hold the 2011 installment of its international trade show August 8-12, 2011 in Anaheim, California. The date and location realignment comes after months of collecting feedback from bike industry retailers, manufacturers and partners through surveys, forums and discussions.
Interbike plans to hold the industry’s show at the Anaheim Convention Center for three years, beginning with the 2011 show. Interbike has secured Irvine Regional Park August 8-9, 2011, to stage the OutDoor Demo with the indoor portion of the show taking place August 10-12. Interbike’s sister show, the Health+Fitness Business Expo, will also be held at the Anaheim Convention Center August 10-12. The 2012 and 2013 editions of the show are scheduled to be held in August, as well, with exact dates to be announced at a later date.
"Interbike is the industry’s show and reflects its natural business cycle," said Andy Tompkins, Interbike show director. "Over the last few years, we have carefully followed the continuing trend of bicycle manufacturers introducing products earlier to the market. Through extensive discussions with retailers, manufacturers, distributors and our key partners, the associations that represent them – the National Bicycle Dealer Association (NBDA), Bikes Belong Coalition and the Bicycle Product Supplier Association (BPSA) – the consensus suggests that migrating show dates to early August is in the best long-term interest of the industry. Further, Las Vegas has been a great host city for the last 12 years, and the Sands Conventions Center and Boulder City have been amazing partners, but the industry has expressed a desire for a change in venue."
Retailers attending Interbike in early August will have the benefit of meeting with their brand partners shortly after product introductions, providing them more options and market intelligence in the timeframe when many purchase decisions are made.
"The NBDA supports and endorses the date and location changes because it is in the industry’s best interest," said Mike Nix, NBDA president. "We understand that these changes will take some adjustment, but we know that it will put Interbike in the sweet spot of the buying cycle and help the show remain the most important business gathering for bicycle retailers."
The new dates will provide retailers with future product information from a wider range of suppliers earlier in the sales season so they can more effectively manage current inventory and make informed buying decisions for the following year. The show’s new timing also allows manufacturers to gain feedback on product lines before many final production decisions are made.
"The BPSA board endorses Interbike’s move to early August. From a product introduction standpoint, the earlier dates will give the show an opportunity to be more relevant for many BPSA member companies and the industry at large," said John Nedeau, BPSA president, vice president of Global Sales at SRAM.
Interbike carefully selected early August dates to avoid overlap with other major cycling events and provide exhibiting manufacturers with enough time to prepare for Eurobike. In addition, the dates allow retailers the opportunity to leave their shops while many still have seasonal help and time to return to their shops for the busy ‘back to school’ sales season.
"We are committed to supporting Interbike, with early show dates helping a much broader base of dealers make decisions with suppliers at a time when we can positively impact fulfilling against demand with long lead times from Asia," said Steve Meineke, president of Raleigh America and chairman of the board of the Bikes Belong Coalition. "Bottom line, we are committed to supporting our dealers by being at the show."
Not only is Interbike integral to the industry’s ability to efficiently conduct business and network, but it is also a key venue to promote countless advocacy, environmental and political initiatives. The new location of Anaheim is in the heart of one of the most vibrant cycling communities in the country and will provide Interbike with additional ways to reinforce these commitments.
Irvine Regional Park is approximately 12 miles from the Anaheim Convention Center, and features a large space to accommodate the OutDoor Demo expo area, along with world class single-track and road loops for bike testing.
The Anaheim Convention Center was remodeled in 2001, and now houses 815,000 square feet of exhibit space and 133,000 square feet of meeting space, making it the largest exhibit facility on the West Coast. It is surrounded by newly built or remodeled hotels, restaurants and the new Garden Walk Center that includes retail shops and more dining facilities, all within walking distance or a short bike or cab ride from the convention center.
