Irvine, CA (April 24, 2023) - The National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA) is pleased to announce its upcoming Retailer Summit in Bentonville, Arkansas on May 24th and 25th. The event will take place at the 21C Museum Hotel Bentonville and is expected to attract retailers from across the country. The Summit event connects with the Bentonville Bike Fest, a 3-day festival featuring over 120 brands in expo, races, and consumer events for a dynamic industry multi-day gathering in the mountain biking capital of the world.
"We are excited to bring the NBDA Retailer Summit to Bentonville, one of the fastest-growing cycling destinations in the country," said Heather Mason, President of the NBDA. "The Summit will provide an opportunity to unite retailers and suppliers in open conversations. A catalyst to be frank about the issues we face while engaging in an authentic experience to collectively determine the best course forward. Let’s highlight the important issue of growth of ridership and answer the question ‘How do we transform more communities around the bicycle?’ Our goal is to ensure the long-term profitability and success of not just retailers, but the industry as a whole.”
The NBDA Retailer Summit is a two-day event that provides a unique opportunity for bicycle retailers to connect with industry leaders, network with peers, and gain valuable insight on best practices around current and future industry needs. The event will feature a variety of informative sessions, workshops, and interactive discussions around key topics to drive specialty bicycle retail forward, leading to long-term profitability and success.
The event will feature a lineup of industry experts, including speaker Stuart Hunter, visionary Manufacturer and Retailer at CEO Roll Bicycles, who shared his thoughts on involvement in the 2023 event: “The current speed of change in our industry is unprecedented. The connections and collaborations fostered between independent retailers by the NBDA Retailer Summit are a critical component of IBD success, and conversations that we relish being a part of”.
Presenting Sponsor Jim Kersten of the CABDA Expo commented, “CABDA is proud to support the NBDA Retailer Summit. There has never been a more pressing time for retailers to be at the top of their game and educational opportunities like this are a great way for bike shops to improve.”
A theme of the Summit will be growth of ridership with several presentations around this topic including keynote speaker Gary Vernon, Senior Program Officer of Cycling and Trail Development, Walton Personal Philanthropy Group. Other speakers will include representatives from manufacturers, industry associations, advocacy groups, and retail experts.
Day 2 of the Summit will feature topics based on future growth, with e-bikes on the list. Presenting sponsor UL Standards & Engagement will deliver an opening keynote and sit on a progressive panel.
“The growth in the e-bike market can and must be matched by growth in the use of safety standards. With 10 years dedicated to developing and refining consensus-based e-mobility standards, UL Standards & Engagement is proud to partner with the NBDA to shape a safer environment that enhances consumers’ trust and ensures consistent, reliable access to e-bikes.” stated David W. McKnight- Head of Partnerships, UL Standards & Engagement.
Attendees will be treated to optional activities such as touring Allied Cycle Works or the state-of-the-art Bike Lab at the Northwest Arkansas Community College and joining organized rides on world-class mountain trails.
"The summit is an excellent opportunity for retailers to step out of their business to work on their business," said Rachelle Schouten, NBDA Development Director. "We look forward to meeting our members in person and having attendees leave the Summit feeling empowered with new tools, new insights, and new ideas that they can employ immediately in their businesses.”
Registration for the NBDA Retailer Summit is now open. For more information and to register, visit the NBDA website at https://nbda.com/retailersummit/.
The 2023 Summit is made possible through unity and collaboration between the NBDA and various partners. Working in true partnership to create an event designed to deliver maximum return to attendees during these challenging times. Special thanks to CABDA Expo, UL Standards & Engagement, citruslime, peopleforbikes, Shimano, Human Powered Solutions, Risse Racing, roll: bicycle company, upway, Civilized Cycles, Kids Ride Shotgun, JBI Bike, Two Octobers, Allied Cycle Works, Mojo Cycling, The Meteor, Northwest Arkansas Community College, Bentonville Bike Fest, Women of Oz, Visit Bentonville.
“Human Powered Solutions is thrilled to be a sponsor of the NBDA Retailer Summit in Bentonville, Arkansas. We are looking forward to learning about the current market and what specialty bicycle retailers and associate members of the NBDA see as the future for the American bicycle business. We welcome the opportunity to network with old and new friends and discuss what is profitable in our bicycle business community,” commented Jay Townley, Resident Futurist at Human Powered Solutions.
If you have any questions about partnership opportunities or involvement with the Retailer Summit, please contact NBDA Development Director, Rachelle Schouten, at Rachelle@nbda.com.
About the National Bicycle Dealers Association
The National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA) is a non-profit organization that represents independent bicycle retailers across the United States. The NBDA provides a variety of resources and programs to support the growth and success of independent bicycle retailers, including advocacy, education, and networking opportunities.
