LAGUNA HILLS, CA (BRAIN)—Starting next year, the largest U.S. bicycle trade show will be held in Anaheim, California. Bicycle Retailer & Industry News has learned that Interbike is targeting the Orange County city for a possible three-year commitment to host the annual industry gathering.
The five-day show will start Aug. 1 with two days at Outdoor Demo tentatively set for Irvine Regional Park. The show then moves into the Anaheim Convention Center Aug. 3, and runs through Aug. 5.
Anaheim beat out Salt Lake City, Utah, which was also under consideration to host the event.
The Anaheim Convention Center, the newest and largest convention center on the West Coast, has undergone a major expansion and renovation since Interbike was held there last in 1997. The show moved to Las Vegas in 1998 and has been held there ever since.
Today, the Anaheim Convention Center boasts 815,000 square feet of exhibit space and is part of the Anaheim Resort, which includes both Disney parks, as well as convention hotels and an assortment of restaurants and bars. It’s also near John Wayne Airport, a major regional and commuter hub, as well as Long Beach, Los Angeles and Ontario airports.
In early April organizers told Bicycle Retailer & Industry News they planned to move the show to early August to coincide with earlier buy/sell cycles. The show’s venue came into question later on, and Salt Lake City, Utah, and Anaheim, California, emerged as the two best options.
-Lynette Carpiet
lcarpiet@bicycleretailer.com
