CHICAGO (BRAIN) — After reviving its long-dormant regional trade show in 2015, the Chicagoland Area Bicycle Dealers Association is looking to build on the show's success, adding an event in San Diego in January 2019. The California show, set for Jan. 16-17, will be followed by CABDA's Midwest show in Chicago on Feb. 14-15.
CABDA West will be held at the Del Mar Racetrack, about 20 minutes north of San Diego.
CABDA had announced in February that it was looking to expand to other regions.
Jim Kersten, CABDA's president and show director, said, "We looked at more than 20 cities, more than 50 venues, and spoke to over 100 industry members from across the country."
Kersten said he expects retailers from Southern California and neighboring areas to attend. The 2018 Expo in Chicago attracted almost 2,300 attendees from more than 550 shops across 27 states. Like the Chicago show, the San Diego event will be exclusively for the trade.
He told BRAIN the venue has flexible options for the show. "The racetrack is actually a pretty big complex with several large exhibit buildings. It's used by a dozen or so trade shows as well as the San Diego Fair. The setup allows us to add on buildings and exhibit halls as we grow."
Kersten said the West Coast show will emphasize affordability for exhibitors, who will be able to hand carry their booth supplies. Booth prices are set at $9.50 per square foot for 10x10 booths and $8 per square foot for multiple booths.
He said the timing will allow exhibitors to forward freight directly to the Chicago show without having to pay round-trip shipping twice.
The venue also allows for outdoor events including demos and group rides. CABDA will continue its partnership with the Professional Bicycle Mechanics Association to offer technical clinics, product workshops, and general shop operation seminars.
"(PBMA's president) James Stanfill and the folks at PBMA are a tremendous part of CABDA's continued growth and success," Kersten said. "The seminars and clinics that dealers attend at the shows will pay enormous dividends throughout the year."
Exhibitor registration will open for both shows in mid-June.
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