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Keeping Las Vegas as the host city for the Interbike trade show came into question two years ago in preparation to renew the show's contract with the Sands Convention Center, which expires with the 2009 show. Among other things, members of the industry were interested in seeing the show support a more cycling-friendly city, while maintaining the best return on investment for exhibitors and retail buyers.

The Decision Process In identifying possible locations for the show, Interbike selected key market criteria it considered mandatory for a host venue. Interbike's top venue requirements include: Contiguous exhibit space of at least 700,000 gross square-feet and ample meeting room space, An event location where retailer and manufacturer attendance can be maximized, A large and diverse selection of hotels, restaurants and entertainment options conveniently located to the events, An international airport located within close proximity to the event with many flight options, numerous carriers and low airfare rates, Relaxed labor union regulations and high quality services, An OutDoor Demo site with great weather, extensive cross country/downhill trails and a closed road loop, and An event market that is recognized as a cycling culture destination. After determining the requirements for a potential host city, Interbike gathered research and data concerning hotel room availability, transportation costs, labor rates and convention centers in cities such as Anaheim, Calif., Denver, and Salt Lake City.

At the 2007 and 2008 Bicycle Leadership Conferences (BLC), Interbike presented to the industry host city suggestions and led roundtable discussions to assess the needs of exhibiting manufacturers. Manufacturer feedback included keeping exhibitor costs down, continuing to attract a strong audience of quality buyers and attending media, and strengthening the OutDoor Demo events, regardless of the show's location.

As part of its annual post-show retailer survey, Interbike asked specific questions about retailer satisfaction with the show, its locations and potential host cities. Retailer responses included: 96 percent of retailers surveyed were very satisfied or satisfied with their overall show experience, The number one and two reasons retailers attended the show were to see new products and take in a variety of product segments, As of the April 2008, 88 percent of retailers are planning on attending Interbike this year. When asked which city would best suite their business needs...

45 percent said Las Vegas, 36 percent said Denver, and 19 percent said Anaheim. Retailers' top reasons for choosing Las Vegas include the lodging, restaurant and entertainment options, fun destination and ease of getting to the event.

"While no one city is a completely perfect fit for the show, we are confident that Las Vegas continues to be the city of choice for the majority of our members," said Fred Clements, executive director of the National Bicycle Dealers Association. "After numerous communications with our members and board and reviewing the annual survey results, the proof is in the numbers. In addition to what shop owners and managers say to us and what they put in a survey, retailers' loudest vote has been with their feet by attending the show."

As a final step, armed with the numbers and data from the retailer survey, attendance history, host city research and manufacturer responses to panel discussions at the annual BLC, Interbike met with NBDA and Bikes Belong board members and presented the recommendation to keep Interbike in Las Vegas.

"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."

"I will sleep well at night knowing that no stone was left unturned in our efforts to make the best decision for our industry's manufactures, suppliers and retail buyers," Camisasca said. "All of the data and research shows that by and large, retailers like Las Vegas and will continue to attend Interbike in this market. Exhibitors want strong attendance, the lowest cost of doing business and a dynamite location for the OutDoor Demo. Las Vegas delivers exceptionally well in all of these critical areas, but we will continue to evaluate potential host cities as they develop."

For more information about the 2008 International Bicycle Expo, OutDoor Demo and/or OutDoor Demo East, please visit interbike.com.