PHILADELPHIA (BRAIN) — Dealers rushing to see the latest from their suppliers will not have to deal with consumer crowds at the Philly Bike Expo. For this year's show, Nov. 4-5, doors will open at 8 a.m. with the first two hours of the day reserved for dealers only. Consumers will be allowed in at 10 a.m.
"We've had a growing number of requests to add some kind of industry-only aspect to the show. At the same time plenty of exhibitors are consumer direct and do not want anything like that," said Bina Bilenky, Philly Bike Expo show organizer.
"We thought of doing a full day, but that doesn't work for everyone. Early hours for the industry seemed like the best compromise," she added.
Those in the industry wishing to attend the show can do so for free as long as they sign up on the expo webpage.
When the show started eight years ago it was held with 60 exhibitors at the Philadelphia Armory, a 10,000-square-foot venue. Today the show is at the Philadelphia Convention Center, with 180 exhibitors set to cover 103,000 square feet.
"This is the first year we are holding trade-only hours, so I don't expect huge crowds of dealers. But I hope it catches on, as I'm willing to expand the trade part of the show in the future," Belinky said.
