bicycle.net -- cycling news, product reviews, original essays, podcasts & video :: Tour of California 2009

Continuing the business of cycling, retailers and manufacturers gather for
the indoor portion of Interbike

LAS VEGAS - September 25, 2008 - After wrapping up Outdoor Demo, a two-day hands-on bicycle product testing experience in Bootleg Canyon, Interbike attendees gathered at the Sands Expo and Convention Center on Wednesday to continue with three full days of exhibits, product launches, insightful seminars, meetings and networking. The trade-only event runs through Friday, September 26, 2008.

Interbike attendees were greeted with a show floor brimming with new products and accessories from brands such as Bell Sports, Cannondale, Giant, Kona, Scott USA, Shimano, Specialized and SRAM, along with Gore Bike Wear and FELT Bicycles, to name a few.

These exhibitors, along with others, spent the day building relationships with and filling out orders for retailers who represented every state in the U.S. and many more countries throughout the world.

“The aisles are full, media interest and attendance is up and the energy on the floor of the show is super positive,” said Rich Kelly, Interbike’s marketing manager. “As an industry we are seeing some real organic growth in new and sustainable categories that appeal to the broader non-enthusiast market such as urban, commuter and lifestyle products.”

Exhibitors seemed to echo Kelly’s sentiments. “We were pleasantly surprised at the number of buyers who scheduled their appointments in advanced and even more so by the number of new buyers we picked up through exhibiting at the Outdoor Demo,” said Steve Thomas, national sales manager for Jamis Bicycles. “Interbike is always an important part of our strategy for the year and at this rate, we will need a bigger booth space for next year to accommodate the traffic and number of appointments.”

Throughout the day retail attendees had the option to participate in a number of seminars on topics including retail management, improving their marketing mix and merchandising techniques.

For attendees interested in learning more about the basics of social media and its many applications, Sportgenic hosted the first of a two-part panel discussion/ seminar series, “Just the Basics: What You Need to Know ’bout Web 2.0 and Social Media.” The seminar series combines industry data about Internet usage and experienced panelists who offered insights and strategy on how to grow the industry through interactive and social media.

“This year was the first year I was able to send my sales guys out on the floor and attend some of the seminars myself,” said Frank Ammirata from The Bike Peddler in Santa Rosa, Calif. “Besides the seminars, Interbike is the place where I can get a really good feel for the direction of the industry, regardless of sector, and finally put faces to the names of industry people I work with throughout the year.”

In addition to educational seminars and exhibits, Interbike will included celebrity guests such as actor Ed Begley Jr., cycling commentator Phil Liggett, and seven time Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong, who will hold a special press conference on Thursday, Sept. 24, to announce his cycling team and preliminary 2009 schedule.

The Interbike Expo continues Thursday and Friday, September 25 & 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas.