"After 25 years of producing successful trade events, finding the right company that could appropriately handle Interbike's numerous and important communication needs was a tall order," said Lance Camisasca, Interbike's group show director. "We are very pleased to begin working with SOAR Communications - spearheaded by an old friend of Interbike's, Chip Smith."
Smith is the president of SOAR Communications and previously spent 10 years with bicycle industry leaders Shimano and Specialized in various sales and marketing communication positions before joining SOAR in 2005. "Ultimately, we're eager to launch our strategic approach to promote Interbike and its events," Smith said. "However, Lance also told us he wants SOAR to help Interbike, along with its industry partners, promote cycling beyond the current core audience. We are excited to help do that, especially this year, since Interbike is celebrating its 25th year of serving the industry."
SOAR Communications is a leading sports marketing communications agency in the Rocky Mountain region and was founded by David Politis, who is a long-time public relations guru with extensive experience in the high-tech space. Politis formed SOAR communications as a subsidiary of POLITIS, LLC in 2004 to provide marketing communications services to the sports, outdoor, athletics and recreation industries, thus the moniker SOAR.
"David and Chip fully understand our events, our strengths, our challenges and the enormous media spotlight that exists," Camisasca said. "We are looking forward to working together with SOAR in growing the events and continuing to bring increased media exposure to Interbike and the bike industry in 2006 and beyond."