Interbike to Stay in Las Vegas Until 2012

Nielsen Business Media spent two years taking a hard look at whether Las Vegas was the place Interbike Intl. Bicycle Expo should call home after the show's contract with the Sands Expo & Convention Center expired in 2009. The decision, after voluminous research: Give Las Vegas three more years.

But that decision came only after Interbike collected, not only data from potential alternative destinations, but also feedback from retailers, manufacturers and industry partners.

Lance Camisasca, the show's former manager and now an industry consultant, said, “The data and communication we have collected, along with industry recommendations from organizations like the Natl. Bicycle Dealers Assn. and Bikes Belong, confirm our decision to keep the show in Las Vegas.”

In the past, attendees and exhibitors grumbled that Sin City wasn't bicycle-friendly enough. Other interested cities included Anaheim, Denver and Salt Lake City.

According to Interbike, the show had some strict requirements:

• at least 700,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space and ample meeting rooms
• a wide selection of hotels, restaurants and entertainment options conveniently located
• an outdoor demonstration site that would have good weather, extensive cross country and downhill trails, and a closed road loop
• an event market recognized as a cycling cultural destination

Interbike representatives laid out the alternatives at the 2007 and 2008 Bicycle Leadership Conferences hosted by the Bicycle Product Suppliers Assn., as well as at roundtables to which exhibitors were invited.

In addition, Interbike conducted post-show surveys last year asking retailers specific questions about how they liked the show, its location and potential host cities.

The retailers' responses left little doubt about where they wanted the show to be held:

• Ninety-six percent said they were satisfied with their overall show experience.
• As of April, 88 percent of retailers said they were planning on attending Interbike in Las Vegas this year.
• And, when asked what city would best suit their business needs, 45 percent said Las Vegas; 36 percent, Denver; and 19 percent, Anaheim.

“Interbike did a great job of sharing their survey results and other research,” said Tim Blumenthal, executive director of Bikes Belong. “After so many years in Las Vegas, the simple idea of a new host city is appealing, but the data shows that retailers and suppliers still prefer this city for a variety of good reasons. Thus, we support the decision to stay for the next few years.”

The 2007 show ranked No. 76 on the most recent Tradeshow Week 200 and had 666 exhibitors, 12,376 attendees and a 312,265 net sq. ft. showfloor. This year's event will be held Sept. 24-26 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center.