SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA (BRAIN)—Interbike will release further details later this week on the 2011 show, according to show director Andy Tompkins.
Since announcing last month that it would move the show to Aug. 8-12 in Anaheim, Interbike has stayed relatively quiet about exact plans, such as whether it would add a consumer day into the mix.
Even now, some exhibitors are holding out hope that Interbike will have a change of heart on the move.
Al Budris, president of Sidi America, said he’s heard from colleagues and “read all kinds of Skype chatter” that Interbike may backtrack on its decision to move the show.
“Because so many people were so upset about it, I think the industry thought that [Interbike owner] Nielsen would reconsider,” Budris. “Especially since not everything was super firmed up.”
Budris said he was put at ease when he received an email last Wednesday from Tompkins saying the dates and venue were locked up, but that Interbike was still working out logistics like hotel rates and a timeframe for an industry site visit to Southern California.
Budris said he is moving forward with the understanding that the show will be in Anaheim next year. Still others aren’t yet convinced that the decision is set in stone.
“I hear there’s lots of speculation that Interbike is reconsidering its dates and venue after all the negative comments they’ve gotten. I don’t know if that’s true, but if they do (change the dates) they’re going to look pretty indecisive,” said Tom Petrie, president of Velimpex.
Many of the suppliers who hold dealer events in July and August are reportedly holding off on finalizing their plans for next year because they feel Interbike may change its plans given the unpopularity of the decision.
Interbike announced on Sept. 18 that it would move the industry’s annual tradeshow to Anaheim with Outdoor Demo to be staged at Irvine Regional Park. Though there are supporters of the move, particularly most of the large industry associations, much of the feedback from retailers has been not been favorable.
—Nicole Formosa
nformosa@bicycleretailer.com
