Bringing together more than 1,000 cycling-related brands and approximately 20,000 attendees annually, the 25th edition of Interbike, America's largest bike trade show, has already made claim to be the largest in history.
Starting with the OutDoor Demo in Bootleg Canyon, Nevada, from September 25-26 followed by the Interbike Expo in Las Vegas from September 27-29, the combined exhibitions' floor space totals more than 360.000 net-sold, square-feet, with roughly 300.000 set aside for Interbike. The figure equates to 3,057 individual 10x10-foot booths, where 25 countries will be represented, ranging from Andorra to the United Kingdom.
"This year's Interbike coincides with a crucial time in our history," said Interbike's group show director, Lance Camisasca in a press release.
"High fuel prices make for top news stories everyday, global warming and the environmental damages caused by fossil fuels have produced a feature film, and our country's abysmal health and obesity problems have not gone away for a minute. Industry manufacturers are presently creating dynamic products that address all of these major news headlines," Camisasca said.
In the wake of Operación Puerto and Tour de France winner Floyd Landis turning a positive result for testosterone, the cycling industry appears to be turning its focus towards the consumer, rather than the professionals many fans try to emulate.
"It's a big launch for us this year with the Trek and Gary Fisher MTB line," said Zap Espinoza, Trek's public relations manager. Don Palermini, brand manager for Bell Sports, also emphasised the importance of the retail aspect of the show, with no mention of links to professional athletes or teams.
Added Camisasca, "Having greater exhibitor presence this year, in addition to an eight percent increase in pre-registration of retail stores, bodes well for the show and also indicates the industry is feeling positive about its health."
Cyclingnews will once again be providing in-depth coverage of the trade show season, beginning with Eurobike from August 31-September 3 in Friedrichshafen, Germany.
