Interbike to Research Alternatives, Announces Show Will Not Take Place in 2019

[Philpug]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Interbike to Research Alternatives, Announces Show Will Not Take Place in 2019

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. – December 6, 2018 – Interbike owner, Emerald Expositions, announced today that the Interbike tradeshow will not take place in September 2019 in Reno as previously scheduled. Instead, the company will research alternative plans for 2020 and beyond, including the opportunity to launch events featuring bicycling and bike-related components within or alongside its various successful, multi-sport trade show franchises.

“The past four years have been difficult for the U.S. bicycle market,” said Darrell Denny, Executive Vice President of Emerald Expositions’ Sports Group. “The substantial increase in tariffs on bike related imports during 2018, and announced for 2019, is compounding these challenges. As a result, we are rethinking how to best serve the cycling industry and will conduct a review of the possible timing, locations and formats with dealers, brands, distributors, reps, designers and media over the coming months. Our goal is to develop and deliver thoughtful solutions which provide strong returns on investment for all industry participants.”

As a result of this decision, Justin Gottlieb, Show Director, Andria Klinger, Sales Director, Andy Buckner, Art Director and Jack Morrissey, Marketing Manager, will be leaving the company, effective December 31, 2018.

“Justin, Andria, Andy and Jack have dedicated themselves to the cycling space and worked long and hard,” Denny said. “We will miss them greatly and wish them the best on their future endeavors.”

About Interbike

Established in 1982, Interbike has been the leading bicycle trade event in North America, bringing together manufacturers, retailers, industry advocates, distributors and media to conduct the business of cycling. Interbike and its events have provided an important platform for face-to-face business interaction, product line previews and media launches, sales lead generation, trend setting, networking and retail education.

Interbike is owned by Emerald Expositions, a leading operator of business-to-business trade shows in the United States. Emerald currently operates more than 55 trade shows, as well as numerous other face-to-face events. In 2017, Emerald’s events connected over 500,000 global attendees and exhibitors and occupied more than 6.9 million NSF of exhibition space.

 

[cantunamunch]

Oh-tay

 

[Tom K.]

Bummer?

Not sure what to think. Apparently, the move to Reno didn't give them the boost they hoped for, although they only gave it one year.

The fact that most of the Big Brands don't participate anymore probably doesn't help.

 

[Philpug]

Bummer?

Not sure what to think. Apparently, the move to Reno didn't give them the boost they hoped for, although they only gave it one year.

The fact that most of the Big Brands don't participate anymore probably doesn't help.

Almost everyone we talked to questioned the move to Reno but were very surprised how much they liked the town. Going into the show, based on what we heard about Interbike we expected a much bigger show. If you ever saw the movie Mallrats? When Brody and the gang got kicked out of the big mall and had to go the the "other" mall? Interbike felt like that "other" mall, compared to SIA that we are used to attending.

 

[Ken_R]

For MTB this is a great event https://www.outerbike.com

Its a demo event but still, great place to see and ride the latest MTB gear.

 

[Philpug]

For MTB this is a great event https://www.outerbike.com

And I hear SeaOtter has also taken much of the thunder.

 

[cantunamunch]

Not sure what to think. Apparently, the move to Reno didn't give them the boost they hoped for, although they only gave it one year.

The fact that most of the Big Brands don't participate anymore probably doesn't help.

Yup. Except one thing I simply can't help thinking is "Tacking a bike show onto other outdoors exhibitions is an open-faced admission of 'We're hopeless and trying to cut costs'".

 

[Tricia]

After seeing the TR from the Philly Bike Expo, compared to Interbike.... maybe regional shows are where its at?

 

[Jersey Skier]

Had a call at my shop the other day asking why we didn't attend Interbike this year and where we thought it should be held in the future. I told them I would have liked to check out Reno, but Interbike was held during Rosh Hashana. Poor planning on their part. I can't believe I'm the only Jew in the industry.

They were definitely open to suggestions as to future locations, but the requirements are tough. Need an airport, convention center and a suitable place for dirt demo days.

 

[Andy Mink]

In the local Reno bird cage liner FB page, one comment was the event had been sliding for several years. The commenter's take was the Reno location had nothing to do with the quality, or lack thereof, of the show.

 

[Tricia]

In the local Reno bird cage liner FB page, one comment was the event had been sliding for several years. The commenter's take was the Reno location had nothing to do with the quality, or lack thereof, of the show.

That was my take as well.
In fact, many people who attended were pleasantly surprised at how good Reno was and wanted to come back for a visit in the future.

 

[Philpug]

does anyone know how long Innerbike was under the Emerald umbrella?

 

[Ken_R]

They were definitely open to suggestions as to future locations, but the requirements are tough. Need an airport, convention center and a suitable place for dirt demo days.

Denver all day!

 

[martyg]

No surprise. All trade shows are looking for relevance.

In the bike industry you have fewer and fewer entities controlling distribution - and they don't go to Interbike, but rather hold dealer events. On the dealer side you have fewer managements controlling more of the open-to-buy, and they go to the events held by their major vendors.

Interbike is dying due to lack of real business being conducted. It is not unlike the discussions around SIA and OR's relevance.