INDIANAPOLIS, IN (BRAIN)—This February's North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) looks to surpass 2009 exhibitor attendance.
More than 100 exhibitors have signed up for the Richmond, Virginia show and with several late entries expected, the final figure is expected to top 120, while there were 113 at Indianapolis last year.
The high water mark for exhibitors was 154 at Portland, Oregon, in 2008. Anything in excess of 113 exhibitors would be the second largest turnout in the show's history.
According to NAHBS founder and director Don Walker, "The overall picture says a few things. First, it's not all doom and gloom for the handmade industry, our sector of the market is alive and well. Sure, it's not an easy economy overall, but a lot of the builders now know that active promotion in a down economy is the strongest sign that their business is solid and here to stay. Which brings me to the third point: NAHBS is the place to be. It continues to be the show where our exhibitors know they will get the most media exposure in the highest-profile publications, and the greatest number of consumer interactions that lead to sales."
Visits to the NAHBS Web site are showing healthy pre-show signs, with January figures about 100 percent up over December 2009. Web site visitors from 69 countries have checked to see the lineup of builders exhibiting. Average visit duration is an impressive five minutes with seven page views.
Nine countries are represented at this international show, including: Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, United kingdom, and of course, the United States.
"With the international builders comes international media coverage, and so goes the profile of the show," Walker said.
New builders will be offered a table at this year's NAHBS. Of the 15 tables offered to new builders, seven remain available. Interested builders should contact Walker, donwalkercycles@aol.com to apply.
Tickets to the show may be purchased online at www.handmadebicycleshow.com and cost $15 in advance, compared to $20 at the door. Multi-day tickets carry even greater savings. And $12 tickets are available to groups of 40 and up. Tickets to NAHBS seminars cost $150 and include a three-day pass to the show and a NAHBS T-shirt.
NAHBS moves from city to city each year. It is scheduled for February 26 - 28, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
