SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (BRAIN) — Interbike says it wants to "lead early OEM conversations" with a new hall dedicated to original equipment manufacturers at its September show in Reno, Nevada. The show also will produce a dedicated OEM directory for the show. The OEM area will be called "Source."
"Our sales team has heard from both domestic and international manufacturers since our last show, and the consistent request is that Interbike 2018 take the lead on sourcing conversations that have traditionally started at Eurobike," said Pat Hus, the vice president of Interbike. "Interbike has always provided a platform that reflects what the industry needs and wants. Suppliers from around the world have always been part of our platform in some way shape or form. Source provides the much-needed opportunity to formalize and expand on that opportunity."
Manufacturers and suppliers that are specifically focused on securing OEM spec or international distribution will be featured in the new Source hall. Those companies with current North American retail distribution will still be permitted to exhibit in the main halls. The sourcing directory will highlight these manufacturing companies, their products and their capabilities. Limited private meeting room space will also be available for those companies wanting to show new products not quite ready to be seen by media and the public.
Hus also noted that several companies, such as Fox, had already decided to return to Interbike before this announcement, in part because of Eurobike's shift to a July date this year.
"Eurobike has traditionally been very important to us in terms of our OEM meetings from a timing standpoint," said Wes Allinger, vice president and general manager of Fox, in a statement provided by Interbike. "With that event now shifting to early July, Interbike's dates are more in-line to start meaningful OEM discussions, and have them conclude at the Asian shows shortly thereafter. This will provide us an excellent opportunity to meet with North American product managers and others, and will help us to move the process along for 2020."
For more details including pricing and availability for Source and conference rooms, contact Interbike's Andria Klinger at 949-226-5745 or Andria.klinger@interbike.com. Interbike Marketweek will take place in the Reno-Tahoe region beginning with a new consumer demo and festival in North Lake Tahoe, California, on Sept. 15-16, followed by the OutDoor Demo on Sept. 16-17 and closing with the Interbike Expo from Sept. 18-20.
