SALT LAKE CITY (BRAIN) — Some event news as the COVID-19 shuffling and re-shuffling continues: CrankTank's Impact media event tied to the Dirty Kanza 200 gravel race will move, with the race, to September. And organizer's of July's Big Gear Show in Salt Lake City say they are moving ahead with plans to hold the show as originally scheduled.
Organizers of The Dirty Kanza, which was acquired by Lifetime last year, announced Monday that the event has been moved from its original May 30 date to Sept. 12. The CrankTank Impact Kanza event will be held Sept. 9.
"Following the move of the physical event, brands can choose to continue digital distribution of product launch content with “Impact Kanza Online,” or continue with the current programming at the new date," CrankTank announced Tuesday.
CrankTank’s founder and president Scott Montgomery said, “Regardless of the timing of the event, we still see Dirty Kanza as the premier gravel race that attracts riders and brands from all over the world. We will continue to be a partner to help showcase new exciting technology and put key industry people together. With that in mind, we also understand some brands will have their products ready before September and we have a plan to support them, as well.”
CrankTank will also offer a digital native platform that targets the DK audience in May, said Adrian Montgomery, CrankTank's chief technology officer.
"CrankTank is primarily a Digital Marketing agency, we are fluent in digital content marketing strategy. While we enjoy the facetime events like DK afford us, hosting a digitally native communications event with Impact Kanza Online is a fantastic alternative in times like these," said Adrian Montgomery. “There’s a silver lining in all of this, we now have a spring media touchpoint AND a fall event planned, so all is good in the gravel world.”
Big Gear stays put for now
The Big Gear Show will include outdoor sports and bicycle exhibitors; the bicycle area has been endorsed by the National Bicycle Dealers Association. Organizers, in a letter Tuesday, said they are closely monitoring the pandemic.
"We continue to plan for our summer 2020 event in Salt Lake City. We see our team’s experience and nimbleness as a strength, and we’re committed to having an active role in the recovery. We are in this for the long-term health of our industry. Our sole focus of supporting gear builders and specialty retailers has not wavered—collectively the engines that power participation and who will be on the front lines of the recovery. Of course, we recognize that for any gathering to take place in late July, there is still much we don’t know, and there will be many new-normals to grapple with.
"We do see reasons to be hopeful. The most recent data indicates we as a nation are starting to flatten the curve. Many bike shops have been deemed essential businesses and are thriving. And a number of local communities have rallied behind local shops with the purchase of gift cards, online sales and curbside pick-ups," the organizers said.
More information: Big Gear Show COVID-19 FAQ | Cranktank.net.
