Leaders from across the bike industry are invited to join PeopleForBikes in Tucson, Arizona, from March 26-29 for the 2024 Bicycle Leadership Conference (BLC). Featuring the perfect blend of inspiration, education, and action, the four-day event is your opportunity to join the important conversations moving our industry forward.
PeopleForBikes is excited to provide a first look at the 2024 conference agenda. The five keynotes, eight leadership lessons, and seven group sessions include a dynamic mix of inspiring speakers, subject matter experts, and top industry voices sharing lessons on leading your business, capitalizing on opportunities to grow bicycling, navigating the current market, and more. A full day-by-day breakdown of the agenda can be found below.
"These are unusual times for the bike industry as it navigates its way through a period of extraordinary demand and contraction of market growth over the past three years. While there is a significant focus on inventory management and cost issues that are byproducts of these market dynamics, the hugely positive news is that we have more people riding bikes than ever before, and electric bicycles represent innovation, potential growth, and new customer opportunities,” said Chris Speyer, chief merchandising officer and senior vice president of REI. “While we must manage short-term challenges, it’s critical we keep our eye on the long term. I invite the industry to engage with us at the Bicycle Leadership Conference. We are strongest when we come together."
A long-time icon of the innovation economy, Randy Komisar will provide a critical, insider perspective on what not to learn from Silicon Valley during his keynote speech on day three of the conference. Komisar will share vital lessons from his decades spent in Silicon Valley, both good and bad, that can help you and your company navigate the current business landscape and identify potential pitfalls and opportunities.
Tomi Viiala, co-CEO of Stromer, will share his perspective on how the U.S. bike industry can capitalize on leasing in the current market. In 2023, more than 65% of Stromer’s business in Belgium was done through leasing, with a similar trend seen in Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Viiala will share lessons learned from Stromer’s success in Europe and the massive opportunity to grow bike leasing in the U.S.
On the evening of day one, PeopleForBikes President and CEO Jenn Dice will be joined by former PeopleForBikes President Tim Blumenthal, Trek President John Burke, and Congressman Earl Blumenauer for the conference’s opening reception in recognition of the organization’s 25th anniversary.
“25 years ago, 10 companies put competition aside to form Bikes Belong with a mission of getting more people on bikes more often. Today, as PeopleForBikes, we represent more than 325 brands from across the bike industry still united behind that same goal from 1999,” said PeopleForBikes President and CEO Jenn Dice. “We look forward to bringing everyone together
at the BLC to celebrate this momentous milestone and chart the course for the next 25 years as we make our bold vision for the future of bicycling in America a reality.”
Register for the 2024 BLC today at bicycleleadershipconference.org.
2024 Bicycle Leadership Conference Agenda
DAY 1
High West Bicycle Leadership Conference Opening Reception
Welcome from TJ Juskiewicz, Executive Director, El Tour de Tucson
Remarks by:
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- Jenn Dice, President + CEO, PeopleForBikes
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- John Burke, President, Trek Bicycle
Featured Guests:
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- Tim Blumenthal, Former President, PeopleForBikes
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- Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
DAY 2
Keynotes:
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- Chris Speyer, Chief Merchandising Officer + Senior Vice President, REI
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- Charles Cooper, Managing Partner and Founder, Brumidi Group
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- Kevin Mayne, CEO, Cycling Industries Europe
Leadership Lessons:
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- Phil Molyneux, CEO, Rad Power Bikes
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- Nicole Johnson, Co-Founder, Boyd Cycling
Sessions:
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- Market Insights | Moderated by Patrick Hogan, Deputy Director of Research, PeopleForBikes
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- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | Moderated by Aparna Rajagopaul, Founder, The Avarna Group
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- Industry Investment | Moderated by John Bastian, Director of Investment Banking, Baird
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- Interview | Moderated by Jose Maldonado, Chief Marketing Officer, PeopleForBikes
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- Romel Pascual, Executive Director, CicLAvia
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- Tafari Bayne, Chief Strategist, CicLAvia
DAY 3 Keynotes:
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- Randy Komisar, Author, Executive, and Investor in Innovation, Kleiner Perkins
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- Vipe Desai, Executive Director, Surf Industry Members Association
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- Charlene Li, CEO, Altimeter Group; NYT Best-Selling Author
Leadership Lessons:
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- Anne Hed, CEO, Hed Cycling
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- Chris Ball, Vice President of Cycling Events, Warner Bros. Discovery
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- Lisa Picard, Advisor, Sway Ventures
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- Massimo Alpian, Global Communications Director, Tracksmith
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- Tomi Viiala, Co-CEO, Stromer
Sessions:
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- 2024 Industry Trade Agenda | Jodi Gracey, Director of Global Trade Compliance, Trek Bicycle
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- Regulatory Discussion | Moderated by Matt Moore, Policy Counsel, PeopleForBikes
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- Sustainability Roundtable | Speakers Coming Soon
Stay Tuned — More Speakers to be Announced Soon
About PeopleForBikes
PeopleForBikes is the U.S. bicycle industry’s trade association and a national advocacy nonprofit representing 325 bicycle industry supplier members and 1.4 million individuals. Through our three areas of influence — infrastructure, policy, and participation — we accelerate the construction of safe, fun, and connected places to bike; advance pro-bike and pro-bike-business legislation; and reduce barriers to access and welcome more people to the joys of bicycling. Our goal: Become the best place in the world to ride a bike. Join us at peopleforbikes.org.
