MONTEREY, CA (BRAIN)—Top executives from across the industry spectrum will share their views on how the economic downturn is affecting our business in a panel at the Bicycle Leadership Conference next week.
Andy Clarke, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists, will moderate the panel discussion centered on how the present economic situation is affecting the bicycle industry and how a new administration will affect individual businesses. Panelists include special guest presenter Congressman Sam Farr, Jim Thompson, CEO of Performance Bicycles, Stan Day, CEO of SRAM Corporation, and Steve Flagg, CEO of Quality Bicycle Products.
BPSA president John Nedeau said the panel will offer a well-rounded perspective.
“Jim Thompson at Performance represents 80 shops around the nation so he provides not just a regional perspective, but a good broad base on what’s happening out there at retail. With Stan Day on the supply side and Steve Flagg on the distributor side, there’s good balance with that panel,” Nedeau said.
Nedeau said the discussion will be productive because panelists can bring real-time information about what they’re experiencing in their businesses.
“In the markets where the weather has broken, by all accounts it appears bikes and accessories are selling really well. When you contrast that with what’s happening at factories in January, February and March, we run the risk of a product shortage. I don’t think we’re in that dire of a situation. To the extent we can amplify the situation, we can help attendees with their planning,” Nedeau said.
The panel, Thursday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., will address questions such as:
-How will a new administration affect our individual businesses?
-How did the 2008 last quarter slump in sales and orders affect your revenue forecasts?
-How has the tightening credit markets affected your segment of the industry and how could that affect your year-end goals?
-What product trends do you see emerging now and how will your segment of the industry respond?
-Currently, gas prices are almost half of what they were last July and August. Will lower gas prices affect sales and how?
-What are your predictions for the industry as we end the year in December?
For more information about the Bicycle Leadership Conference and to register for the April 15-17 conference, held at the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California, click on link. Full descriptions of the panels and other events, including the annual BRAINy Awards, bike rides and networking events, are listed on the Web site under '09 Agenda.
