MELBOURNE, Australia (BRAIN)—A new trade show for the Australia and New Zealand market is set to open its doors in Australia August 16-17.
Initially, organizers announced the name of the show as Interbike Australia. However, the Australia show is not affiliated with the Interbike expo staged annually in Las Vegas.
“While we’re pleased to see that Interbike carries international recognition, it clearly is a problem for us that they’re using our trademark and brand name to promote their new venture. We’re looking into the situation further and will have an official statement to come,” said Andy Tompkins, Interbike show director.
According to a response posted on Interbike Times, general manager Simon Head said organizers would rename the Australian trade show AUSBIKE to distance themselves from Interbike.
The venue is the Exhibition Pavilion, new Melbourne Showgrounds, close to the heart of the city, next door to the world famous Flemington Racecourse, home of the Melbourne Cup. Show organizers have committed to the venue, which contains 10,000 square meters of exhibition space, for the next five years.
In an email broadcast to the trade, Australia show organizers said the new show times were as a direct result of having discussions with the trade with so much positive feedback.
Organizers said the show would offer importers and manufacturers from Australia, New Zealand and Asia an opportunity to shop their brands and products to a captive audience.
It is expected the show will attract not only bicycle retailers but also specialty outdoor and fitness retailers, tour guide and bike rental operators, department store buyers, general sporting retailers, event promoters, team managers, club buyers.
—David Priestley (www.comecyclingwithme.com) contributed to this report
