What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and that goes for the Interbike International Trade Expo as well.
The bicycle industry show announced Tuesday that it's backpedaling on its announced plans to relocate to Anaheim, California, after 12 years in Las Vegas. Also, promoters have dismissed plans to schedule the show in August, instead of September.
The Interbike promoters announced the bombshell move to Anaheim shortly before this year's show opened Sept. 20-24.
Research
Show director Andy Tompkins explained the well thought-out changes, citing the industry's desire to move the show to a new location. Also, rescheduling the show to early August would better fit into the trend of manufacturers bringing products to market earlier.
The show cited its discussions with the National Bicycle Dealer Association (NBDA), Bikes Belong Coalition and the Bicycle Product Supplier Association among the reasons for scheduling the show earlier in the year.
The plans started to unravel once the news hit the floor of the show that draws about 23,000 persons a year from all segments of the bicycle industry to view the products of more than 1,000 exhibitors.
Mom and pop shops
The exhibitors and visitors told the promoters that Las Vegas is a better location for the show than Anaheim. Also, many bike shops, especially “mom and pop” operations, would find it difficult to get away from the store during the busy summer months.
In a press release, Tompkins wrote:
“The announcement that we were moving the show dates and location elicited a very real response that surveys and discussions alone couldn't accomplish.
“Due to the overwhelmingly positive response to this year's show and the countless conversations we've personally had with exhibitors and retailers regarding the future dates and location of Interbike, we are reversing our earlier decision to move the 2011 show to Anaheim in August. We are hearing loud and clear that, at this time, the industry prefers September dates and the convenience of Las Vegas.”
The schedule for 2011 — Outdoor Demo, Bootleg Canyon, September 12-13; indoor show, Sands Convention Center, September 14-16.
The schedule for 2012 — Outdoor Demo, Bootleg Canyon, Sept. 17-18; indoor show at the Sands Sept. 19-21.
The show was heading to the Anaheim Convention Center, located right across the street from Disneyland. It holds 815,000 square feet of exhibition space, compared to 300,000 square feet at the Sands.
Looks like Minnie Mouse won't get a gig as an Interbike booth babe afterall.
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