INDIANAPOLIS, IN (BRAIN)—The North American Handmade Bicycle Show is preparing for a record-breaking year, with exhibitor figures looking to surpass the mark of 150 set in Portland, Oregon, in 2008.
"Austin sounds like a great city where people appreciate the outdoors, especially for cycling. In that way I believe the region is similar to Northern California, so I go there with good expectations," said Jeremy Sycip of Sycip Cycles. "I expect a great show as far as attendance, especially since it should be warmer than the last couple shows."
Ten weeks remain until the seventh edition of the world’s number one annual handmade bicycle convention, scheduled for February 25-27 in Austin, Texas and exhibitor applications continue to stream in.
"Mellow Johnny’s is very excited to see the Handmade Show coming to Austin in February," said Craig Staley of Mellow Johnny's. "The show has become one of the most important events in the national calendar, and has everyone from fixie kids to CEO’s of major bike companies looking at it to see what is next. Everyone we talk to in the industry is buzzing about the Austin show, we have no doubts that it will be the biggest show to date."
As of December 15, 136 exhibitors had signed up for the show, with several enquiries still pending and an expected total of 160. The greatest number of exhibitors at any NAHBS to date was 150 in Portland, Oregon, in 2008. The 2010 figure, in Richmond, Virginia, was 126.
The show’s founder and director, Don Walker, said, "I am confident that this year will be the biggest and best-attended NAHBS yet. I think it shows not only the draw of a great location like Austin, but also the vibrant state of the handmade bicycle industry. It’s really very exciting. I get to return to my adopted home state of Texas and frankly, I'm all fired up and can’t wait for February."
