CHICAGO (BRAIN) — The Chicago Area Bicycle Dealers' Association has sold out of exhibitor space for its upcoming trade show, which is Feb. 1-2. CABDA organizers expect nearly 175 exhibitors at Pheasant Run Resort and Convention Center.
CABDA also announced new agreements that will bring shop operation seminars to the show, as well as an exhibits from the Japanese industry and a presentation at the show by the president of the new Professional Bicycle Mechanics Association.
Jim Kersten, CABDA's president and show director, said, "We have been extremely pleased with the growth of the show. We've just about doubled our floorplan this time around, and based on our preregistration numbers, we're on track to increase dealer attendance by 50 percent."
CABDA's exhibitors include over 30 bicycle brands, including Giant, Jamis, BMC, Haro, KHS, Felt, Haibike, and Litespeed.
New for 2017, CABDA will be working with Mike Reisenleiter from Winged Wheel to bring profession shop operation seminars to the Expo. "Mike is a Chicago guy, his time at SRAM and at local shops taught him well. He knows the problems we're facing and has an idea or two about how to solve them." Reisenleiter's breakout sessions will focus on leadership and building a great team within your shop. All seminars and clinics at the CABDA Expo are free to attendees.
Kersten also announced that CABDA has been working with the Japan Bicycle Promotion Institute to bring Japanese companies to the trade show. "This is the only trade show that hundreds of our dealers attend, so it's important to me that they be able see products they might not know about," Kersten said. "Going forward we're going to do our best to recruit brands that may be new to many of our shops."
CABDA also announced a partnership with the Professional Bicycle Mechanic's Association. "We're proud to have (PBMA president) James Stanfill at the Expo. Elevating how our profession is perceived, and reinforcing that mechanics are very much a skilled-labor position, elevates our industry." Stanfill will give a seminar with a Q&A session.
The event will also feature an industry party, awards presentation, and a free keynote breakfast.
The CABDA Expo is a trade-only event. Dealers are encouraged to bring staff to attend clinic and seminars.
More information, including registration can be found at cabda-expo.com. Registration is free to dealers and shop staff until Jan. 16.
