SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA (BRAIN)—In an effort to better understand how retailers utilize the industry's annual trade show gathering, Interbike has hired New York-based Harvey Research to survey retailers.
"The bicycle industry is very dynamic and retailers face multiple issues and challenges that directly influence their business-to-business event needs," said Andy Tompkins, Interbike show director, in a press release. "This survey project with Harvey Research will give us clearer insight into retailers' behavior, business needs and the issues they face, in turn helping us produce events that best serve their needs and those of the industry as a whole."
The research project will be segmented by retail type, focusing on independent bicycle dealers of varying size, along with outdoor stores and other key segments of the cycling retail channel. The online survey will be conducted during the first quarter of 2011 with the goal to share the data with the industry in early April 2011. Interbike will use the collected data to help augment show features and better understand show timing and location issues from a retailer perspective.
In addition to the retailer-focused study, Interbike has also charged Harvey Research to conduct in the near future an exhibitor-based study to further understand their needs as well.
Interbike chose Harvey Research after reviewing multiple responses to a request-for-proposal the company sent to research firms both within and outside the bicycle industry last November.
Established in 1953, Harvey Research is a full-service research firm specializing in online and print surveys. Harvey Research has served publishers and marketing decision makers involved in B2B, professional and consumer communications companies such as Congressional Quarterly (CQ), Gannett, Incisive Media, International Data Group (IDG), Reed Business Information, The Taunton Press and 1105 Media.
The upcoming retail and exhibitor research projects are part of a larger, on-going effort by Interbike to gather information, consult with the industry and gain feedback on its trade show efforts. Interbike also works closely with industry groups such as the National Bicycle Dealers Organization (NBDA), Bicycle Products Suppliers Association (BPSA), and the Bikes Belong Coalition, and is currently in the process of updating and adding to its industry-based advisory panels. More news about these panels will be issued soon.
