Interbike 2009

Note: Cyclelicious will be at Interbike 2009 in Las Vegas posting daily from the show floor September 23 - 25

Interbike continues to be the place for gathering members of the bike industry at the 2009 Interbike International Expo and Outdoor Demo in Las Vegas the week of September 21-25. While at the five-day event, attendees and media will see the latest products and technologies from every major bicycle, component and accessory manufacturer in the cycling industry.

"This year's Interbike is shaping up to be among our strongest shows," said Andy Tompkins, Interbike's show director. "Just as in years past, attendees will have the opportunity to meet with all their key suppliers along with enjoying the comradery and networking the show naturally provides. Regardless of individual sales and marketing strategies, manufacturers recognize the value of participating in the week-long industry event. We are looking forward to another successful show."

Advanced Sports Inc. is one of the 1,100 brands preparing to participate in next month's industry event.

"Interbike provides us the opportunity to tell our complete brand story and meet new and existing customers, especially with our Breezer, SE and Kestrel lines," said Pat Cunnane, president of Advanced Sports, Inc., parent company of Breezer, Fuji, Kestrel and SE Bicycles. "Even with a tough economy, Interbike is the place to be. Last year at Interbike we successfully launched the Breezer line of commuter bikes, and this year we are looking forward to a successful relaunching of Breezer mountain bikes as well."

Interbike will also host 65 new exhibitors including SANYO, a major electronics company that chose Interbike to launch one of its first electric bikes for the North America consumer bike market.

"While SANYO is exhibiting at Interbike for the first time, we are not newcomers to the cycling industry," said David Cabanban, business development manager for SANYO North America Corporation. "Our first product was a bicycle lamp, and Interbike offers us the perfect stage to place our latest innovations in electric bike technology in front of top industry influencers and allow retailers and the media to ride the future."

Kicking off with the only industry demo event of its kind, the Interbike Outdoor Demo gives attendees the chance to put the latest bikes and accessories through real-to-life testing. Amid the backdrop of Bootleg Canyon, home to one of International Mountain Bicycling Association's (IMBA) "Epic Rides," Outdoor Demo will provide an extensive groomed trail network, downhill-specific trails and dirt-jumping section. Returning features will also include a closed-cyclocross course set up and managed by CrossVegas LLC.

For road bike dealers and enthusiasts, Outdoor Demo will also include a closed road loop for demos and the annual Tour de Lake Mead. The 24-mile ride to Lake Mead and back continues to be a fun networking opportunity and a great way to give retailers and journalists an extended demo on vendor's latest bikes and gear.

Once inside the expo at the Sands Convention Center, Interbike will host a number of product launches, business meetings and events tied to recent growth in the commuter and electric bike categories.

After positive feedback from attendees and exhibitors alike, the Urban Legend Fashion Show will highlight a range of stylish, smart, sexy and professional clothing that fit into everyday life and work great on a bike. Instead of a traditional catwalk, a road loop will be laid out in the main exhibit hall. Urban Legend attendees will gather in and around the loop, while models ride among the audience. The innovative layout, inspired by Momentum magazine, allows the models to display urban cycling apparel and bikes in action and allows each attendee a front row seat.

The Light Electric Vehicle Association (LEVA) will be hosting two seminars during the Interbike Expo aimed at helping retailers sell more electric bikes (e-bikes) and how to trouble shoot repairs for e-bikes.

BMX, a vibrant category that is also an important gateway for youth into many of the other cycling categories, will be prominently displayed at Interbike with a professionally built BMX track at Outdoor Demo, the BMX Zone, Rail Jam and a special BMX editorial section in the Interbike Event Guide produced by RideBMX magazine. For more information please see Interbike's recent press release.

Once the tradeshow workday is done, Interbike participants are invited to attend the third annual CrossVegas and USA CRITS Finals on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, respectively.

CrossVegas competitors will include both Elite Women's and Men's races along with the Wheelers and Dealers race for industry members. Interbike will provide complimentary shuttle service for attendees from The Sands to the race location from 6:00 p.m. -11:00 p.m., shuttles leaving every 15 minutes.

The USA CRITS Finals are the grand finale to the 2009 USA CRITS National Series and will be held at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. The event will feature Pro Men, Pro Women and Amateur competitor categories along with an Industry Cup, all on a fast and technical 1-kilometer course.

For more information about the week-long Interbike Expo and Outdoor Demo event, please visit www.interbike.com.