MELBOURNE, Australia (BRAIN)—Organizers of a new trade show in Melbourne, Australia have changed the event’s name to Ausbike after initially calling itself Interbike Australia and using a logo nearly identical to that of Interbike’s.
“In an effort not to be confused with the very successful Interbike USA trade shows which originated in the early 90s, we are pleased to announce that Interbike Australia is now called Ausbike Australia,” Ausbike’s Nathan Lorkin said in a press release.
“We are pleased with the decision and feel the expo now fits better within the international ‘grand slam’ bike expo circuit of EuroBike, Interbike, Taipei Cycle, etc. The new name better suggests that we are from a land down under, of course something we‘re all very proud of.”
After hearing news of the Australian show last Friday, Interbike posted an entry on its blog stating it had no affiliation with the show. Ausbike general manager Simon Head responded to the post saying the event had been renamed.
Ausbike sent out an official press release this week clarifying its name as Ausbike Australian Trade Expo.
The show is scheduled for August 16-17 in the 10,000 square meters (about 33,000 square feet) Exhibition Pavilion at the Melbourne Showgrounds. Ausbike has committed to the venue for five years.
Exhibitor space will range in cost from $90 to $150 per square meter, Head said.
The trade only event is meant to provide an opportunity for hundreds of brands and thousands of manufacturers, suppliers and buyers from around Australia, including New Zealand and Asia, to come together at one location at one time for a mix of business and products of the Australian bike industry.
—Nicole Formosa and David Priestley
