Interbike explores alternative sites

The North American trade show Interbike outlined its host city requirements at the 11th annual Bicycle Leadership Conference (BLC), last Saturday in San Diego, giving an update to the Sands Convention Center and sharing new options for future event locations.

Interbike Industry Consultant Lance Camisasca laid out the needs of the show, which have grown to include 700,000 square-feet of show floor with additional meeting space, a desirable location convenient to hotels, restaurants and entertainment, as well as an international airport nearby with affordable fares. The group also needs an outdoor site with "great weather" in which to hold its off-road demos as well.

Las Vegas, Nevada, which has hosted the show in recent years, meets most of these requirements, but attendees have been hit by rapidly rising hotel costs in that city. The contract with the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas expires after the 2009 show, and Interbike is mulling over moving the event to another city.

Denver, Colorado, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Anaheim, California were named as two towns that come closest to meeting all the requirements to host Interbike. Both cities have strong ties to the cycling community and the proper infrastructure, but attendees at the meeting showed no clear preference for any of the cities.

According to Camisasca, Interbike has not made a decision about moving the show, but a decision will need to be made by mid-2008. As part of its ongoing research, Interbike will continue to reach out to retailers, industry advocacy groups and other industry members before making a decision about a the future venue for the Interbike show.

"I was quite happy with the attendees' understanding of the situation," Camisasca concluded. "The feedback I received regarding the potential host cities and the very engaging question and answer period following the presentation exceeded my expectations. We have now completed the first of several rounds of research in order to make the best decision possible."

Those interested in receiving a copy of Interbike's BLC presentation, please contact Chip Smith at csmith@soarcomm.com or Maura Lansford at mlansford@soarcomm.com. The presentation will also be available on Interbike's Media Center download page at http://www.interbike.com/ib/press/downloads.jsp.