PORTO, Portugal (BRAIN) — The inaugural World Cycling Forum, set for June 7 and 8 in Porto, Portugal, will focus on “consumer centricity and increasing speed to market,” organizers stated.
Presented by the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry and trade journal Bike Europe, the forum will feature the following keynote speakers:
- Franck Denglos, vice president of speed, Adidas AG, Germany
- Ronald van Klooster, co-owner, Maxlead Online Marketing, the Netherlands
- Mia Ruotsala, chief digital officer, Intersport International, Switzerland
- Christian Decker, managing director, DESMA, Germany
- Professor Steve Evans, centre director CIS, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Bob Margevicius, executive vice president, Specialized Bicycle Components, United States
- Peter Ernsting, senior vice president, Group Supply Chain Carlsberg AG (2011-2016) and member of the Supervisory Board for Accell Group, the Netherlands
- Michael Tribus, senior partner, Porsche Consulting, Germany
- Richard van Hooijdonk, futurist and trend watcher, the Netherlands
- Sergio Ribeiro, Portugal Bike Value, Portugal
- Janice Wang, CEO, Alvanon, Hong Kong/USA
- Kevin Mayne, development director, Cycling Industry Club by European Cyclists’ Federation, United Kingdom
“The keynote speakers lineup for the World Cycling Forum is impressive,” said Accell Group chief operating officer Jeroen Snijders Blok, who will attend the forum with a group of employees. “During the World Cycling Forum, I expect to get answers on how we can make reliable forecast from the customer within a certain accepted range and what we can learn and adapt in our industry from the footwear industry and fast fashion with regards to consumer centricity and just-in-time-manufacturing. These aspects are all short-term key elements in staying successful in the bicycle industry.
“The consumer’s buying behavior is changing rapidly, so we must change as well and we don’t have much time to do this. The World Cycling Forum will be of great help to fully understand this change,” he added.
Registration, which includes a dinner cruise and two lunches, is 850 euros ($928) for WFSGI members, 1,050 euros for Bike Europe subscribers, and 1,250 euros for others.
For program information or to register, visit www.worldcyclingforum.org.
