Interbike is to move from Las Vegas to "Less Vegas", as industry wags are describing Reno-Tahoe.
During a conference call with media Interbike direcror Pat Hus: “After seven months of extensive research starting with our survey of visitors we have chosen a clear cut winner in Reno Tahoe.”
He added: “This is an opportunity to hit reset on Interbike."
The show will become a week-long celebration of cycling, including a consumer-facing bike festival.
Interbike Marketweek will Start with World-Class Consumer Cycling Festival.
The 2018 show will be staged in the non-union Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
Hus said: "We are giving the industry something new and fresh that we couldn’t do in our previous locations. With the support and investment from the city of Reno we are going to be able to truly create a one-of-a-kind, week-long celebration and experience around cycling. We also recognize that this is a critical time in our industry and that we need to provide a more cost-effective approach to exhibiting at the show, and we are now able to provide that.”
He added: "Reno-Tahoe gives us an unmatched blend of world-class venue for a consumer festival and the OutDoor Demo, state of the art convention centre, fantastic hotel choices, robust nightlife and a more intimate environment of welcome and celebration. Cycling will be the center of attention for the Reno-Tahoe area for the entire week.
Interbike Marketweek 2018 will begin with a consumer festival on Saturday, September 15th, at the Northstar California Resort, located near Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Northstar is home to Northern California’s largest bike park. The consumer demo will continue Sunday, September 16th through mid-day, but will transition to OutDoor Demo that afternoon, said Hus.
OutDoor Demo will continue Monday, September 17th and will run from 8 am to 6 pm with free gondola access to all attendees.
"The new Tuesday through Thursday format will allow retailers and exhibitors to travel home in time for the weekend," said Hus about the indoor part of the expo.
Established in 1982, Interbike is owned and operated by Emerald Expositions, which owns more than 50 trade shows. The show has been in Las Vegas since 2011.