Nielsen Ups Tompkins

Nielsen Business Media's Andy Tompkins just got a lot busier. Along with his day job as show director for the Action Sports Retailer World Trade Expo, an action sports apparel, footwear, accessories and hard goods tradeshow, Tompkins also has been named group show director for the entire Action Sports Retailer, Cycling and Fitness Groups. That includes serving as show director for the Interbike Intl. Bicycle Expo and the Health & Fitness Business Expo & Conference, events previously managed by Lance Camisasca.

Tompkins, a 10-year veteran of various sales and show management positions with what is now Nielsen's Sports Group, also was once show director of the Outdoor Retailer Summer and Winter Markets. He said he would use his specialty sports marketing tradeshow experience to help him hit the ground running as Interbike's new show director.

Camisasca stepped down as show director in January to form his own company, Lifeboat Solutions, but continued to manage the Interbike events in the interim. He will now consult on those events, as well as the strategic development of Interbike shows. Camisasca's contract as an adviser to the show runs through the end of this year, but he said he expected an extension through 2009.

Interbike is signed on with the Sands Expo & Convention Center/Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas until after the 2009 show and, Camisasca said, he and other Interbike officials have spent the last six to eight months researching the show's next move – be it in Las Vegas or elsewhere.

“I've been on a crusade to bring the industry up to speed on the possibility of our moving the show and the logistics of it especially finding another place to hold the outdoor demo,” Camisasca said. “We'll meet at the end of May to make our decision and will announce it in early June.”

Interbike was Camisasca's first client in his new role as a consultant and, he added, although the transition from his position at Interbike to his consultancy was seamless, the shows needed a resident show director.

“I'll be working with Andy to introduce him to the cycling industry and to go to industry events. I'll be his shadow,” Camisasca said.

The changes were positive and could lead to more beyond Interbike, he added.

“When I decided to leave and form my own company, I wanted to show Nielsen that having someone outside the bubble working with the people on staff could work well. Having Andy as show director will free me up more to work on the shows and be more visible and hands-on,” Camisasca said. “This model could be a template for other Nielsen shows, because getting an outside perspective has proven to be a very productive way to do things.”