SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (BRAIN) — Interbike’s IBD Summit returns for its fourth edition in 2015 with a new Arizona locale, revamped agenda and a winter calendar date conceived to be more convenient for retailers than the event’s traditional April timing around “Monterey Week” and the Bicycle Leadership Conference and Sea Otter Classic in Northern California.
Feedback from previous and prospective attendees indicated that although there were benefits to the tie-in with the Sea Otter and the BLC, the time of year and location were difficult factors to overcome, Interbike said in a statement.
Set for Jan. 27-29, the Summit will be held at The Phoenix Marriott Tempe at the Buttes, which Interbike selected for its airport proximity, nearby road and off-road riding to be coordinated by Interbike each day, and reputation as a high-quality event venue.
“It was time we changed things up. We really struggled to get dealers out of their stores in April, and Monterey was just too difficult and too expensive to get to,” Interbike vice president Pat Hus said. “We also felt it was time to take on some bigger issues facing our industry, and that mandated a change to the format of the overall event.”
The 2015 Summit will consist of three major components: professional speakers, as in previous editions; a new retail store manager track presented by Mann University; and the development of a “Manifesto of Change” for the industry.
The Manifesto of Change will be built around sessions by industry experts addressing challenges currently affecting IBDs, including flat or declining sales and how to restart growth, plus ways the industry can work together to manage the online sales landscape. Speakers and panelists will include Bernie Doering, senior vice president of global sales at BRG Sports; Skip Hess, former CEO of Electra Bicycles and ex-general manager of Giant USA; Mark Graff, co-founder of SmartEtailing and Buy Local Now; Ronnie Bonner, owner of Sparky’s Distribution; and Tom Henry, owner of Landry’s Bicycles in Boston.
Following each presentation, retailer and supplier attendees will be able to participate in panel discussions, with their ideas incorporated into the Manifesto of Change for the industry. This document will be published by Bicycle Retailer and Industry News after the event, with the intent of being a driver of improvement in the channel.
Additional speakers at the Summit include:
- David Shing, the AOL “Digital Prophet” who received high ratings from Summit attendees at the event’s 2013 edition. In his presentation titled “Digital Convergence & Blurred Boundaries,” Shing will update retailers on how to incorporate a sound digital strategy into their business plans.
- David Mead, whose address “Start With Why” will offer an unconventional perspective that explains why some people and organizations are more innovative, more profitable, command greater loyalties from customers and employees, and are able to repeat their success over and over.
- Randi Busse, customer service expert, speaking on “Moving Employees From Compliant to Committed.” Busse will present four key traits to transform retail employees from a “renter” mentality to an “owner” mentality – ultimately setting them up to deliver a positive and powerful customer experience.
New for 2015 is an opportunity for store managers to benefit from the knowledge of retail growth strategy experts from The Mann Group. Over the course of the event, managers will break into the Mann U sessions to learn about the following topics: “What Is a Leader?”; “Motivating Staff”; and “Effective Communication.”
For the first time in the event’s history, all three major industry trade associations will be represented at the Summit. Past sponsors PeopleForBikes and the National Bicycle Dealers Association are joined by new sponsor the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association.
“The BPSA stands behind the mission of the IBD Summit and its quest to help retailers grow their businesses,” said Roger Gierhart, president of the BPSA and vice president of forecasting, distribution and logistics at Trek Bicycle Corp. “The new January dates, Phoenix location and top-notch content should convince any retailer that this is a must-attend, kick-off event for 2015.”
Additional sponsors include QBP, Pivot Cycles, 100%, Essor, MET Helmets, Accell North America and BRG Sports.
A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available and can be purchased through Interbike sales director Andria Klinger at (949) 226-5745 and andria.klinger@emeraldexpo.com.
For additional event information, go to the IBD Summit website.
