Irvine, CA (Nov 16, 2023) - The National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA) is pleased to announce the second annual Retailer Summit, to be held in Bentonville, Arkansas on May 22nd and 23rd, 2024. The event will take place at the 21C Museum Hotel Bentonville and is expected to attract retailers from across the country. The Summit ties in with the Bentonville Bike Fest, a three-day festival featuring over 120 brands in expo, races, and consumer events for a dynamic, multi-day industry gathering in the mountain biking capital of the world.
After positive feedback from the 2023 event, multiple retailers and brands who attended last year are already committed to attend the 2024 event. "Upway is delighted to renew our commitment as a sponsor for the NBDA 2024 Retailer Summit in Bentonville," commented Alessandro Pregel, sourcing lead U.S. "We're excited about the opportunity to connect with and glean insights from the best Specialty Bicycle Retailers in North America. Together, let's power up the future of cycling!"
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 and lead to long-term profitability and success.
"We are excited to once again host the NBDA Retailer Summit in 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 not only during two full days of planned educational content, but also at after-hours events for curated networking moments. The opportunity to engage in these face-to-face conversations is of utmost importance."
Presenting Sponsor Jim Kersten, CABDA Expo show director, commented "CABDA is absolutely thrilled to partner with the NBDA every chance we get, and we're proud to sponsor the Retailer Summit. It is quite simply the best conference out there for both retailers and brands to dive deep into the issues facing our industry and actually come up with solutions."
The 2024 program will feature two dynamic days of presentations, panel discussions and breakout sessions aimed to get retailers and suppliers in the same room for discussions focused on key areas impacting retailers today. Summit highlights include the importance of collaborative partnerships, service center profitability, thriving e-Bike sales, additional rider services, and the importance of continued growth in ridership.
"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 the state-of-the-art Bike Lab at the Northwest Arkansas Community College, joining organized rides on world-class mountain trails, and after-hours special events at host lodging venue The Bike Inn.
"The summit is an excellent opportunity for retailers to step out of their business to work on their business," said Jodi Hall, NBDA program operations. "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 2024 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, Citrus-Lime, Human Powered Solutions, Risse Racing, Upway,Two Octobers, Mojo Cycling, Northwest Arkansas Community College, Bentonville Bike Fest, Women of OZ, Visit Bentonville, RIDES, The League of American Bicyclists, All Bodies on Bikes.
"Human Powered Solutions is proud to return as a Sponsor of the NBDA 2024 Retailer Summit and is looking forward to being with and learning from some of the best Specialty Bicycle Retailers in North America," commented Jay Townley, resident futurist, Human Powered Solutions.
Lewis Sherratt, general manager of Citrus-Lime, Inc. added: "The retail landscape has altered dramatically over the last couple of years. Larger retailers have disrupted the sector and made the market extremely competitive. It's never been more important for IBDs to come together to learn how they can stay ahead of the market. We're looking forward to speaking with retailers about these changes and how they can use technology to make their businesses more profitable."
Any questions about partnership opportunities or involvement with the Retailer Summit should be directed to NBDA President, Heather Mason, at heather@nbda.com.
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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.
