Interbike Announces Show Will Not Take Place in 2019

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.”

MTB Lab Thoughts 

I enjoyed the move to Reno and although it was not well attended, the smaller crowds provided more intimacy, a slower pace, and an opportunity for stronger connections. Reno was a problematic venue for many, one of which was due to getting nonstop service to the airport when coming from smaller towns. It’s a real tough loss for the smaller media sites that don’t always get invited to the larger vendor press shindigs, leaving only the California based Sea Otter and Eurobike as the big shows still left to attend. Also, the smaller companies, especially with new products, miss out on another show to get their stuff out in front of buyers and media, and by the symbiosis, the consumer. Since Emerald owns the Outdoor Retailer shows (Summer and Winter), I can see companies showing and pushing more bike related products at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver this coming year, which I can fortunately always attend. I am thoroughly bummed to lose the Interbike show since it was not only a great place to see new gear but it was an opportunity to meet new and old friends, and network. Good luck to my friend Justin Gottlieb (IB Show Director) on wherever his next adventure may take him. 

 

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.