LAGUNA HILLS, CA (BRAIN)—Summer event organizers are seeing a spike in interest from suppliers and dealers following news of Interbike’s date and venue change. As such, they are adjusting plans next year to accommodate larger crowds.
“I’ve been slammed with calls this week and I expect we may triple our exhibitors,” said Lance Camisasca, who organizes DealerCamp, an outdoor demo and expo in Park City, Utah. His event is set for July 26-28 next year.
“There is still uncertainty about Interbike that has not been cleared up, like what gravity options will be offered at Outdoor Demo. We are signing up some new exhibitors for DealerCamp who will just do the indoor portion of Interbike,” he added.
Interbike has said it would move the annual tradeshow to Aug. 8-12 in Anaheim.
Camisasca also said some companies may hold events leading up to DealerCamp. For example, Scott USA plans to hold a national sales meeting in Deer Valley that rolls into DealerCamp. He also expects ASI and BH/Pivot, who held sales events this year, to do the same.
Organizers of Outerbike said they plan to open the outdoor consumer-only demo to retailers next year.
“Everyone I talked to at Interbike said: ‘We want to come,’” said Ashley Korenblat, owner of Western Spirit Cycling, organizer of the inaugural Outerbike that began Thursday. “We thought maybe we should do a couple of dealer days. I know orders will be placed by October, but there seems to be a need for an end of season event where people get to ride the bikes.”
Outerbike is set for Oct. 5-9 next year, with the first two days designated as dealer-only days and consumers testing bikes Friday through Sunday.
Quality Bicycle Products also is investigating the possibility of hosting a summer vendor and retailer event in July at its new warehouse in Ogden, Utah. But QBP president Steve Flagg said for now plans have been tabled.
“All of the sudden July and August have gotten very busy for dealers. With Trek’s event and now Interbike scheduled in August, my concern is that asking dealers to attend another event scheduled close to the same time is unfair,” Flagg said.
QBP originally planned to hold a ride camp to take advantage of the trails around Ogden and perhaps attract retailers already coming to Utah for private dealer product launches or DealerCamp.
—Matt Wiebe
mwiebe@bicycleretailer.com
