I just registered as a working media/blogger and sent in the requirements, so, it’s good to see this being discussed and hope to get approved. As a professional blogger, author of a blog book, and having been involved with putting on events, I know the culture pretty well and yes there are “bloggers/press” that are going to try and get in just for free. That should be easy to weed out. And I’d think (or hope) that Jon and Tim can vouch for Bike Hugger’s value. Bike Hugger is a blog for cycling enthusiasts and covering the event, especially the 10×10 booths is perfect for our editorial and making our sport accessible to more people, especially women.

As the event organizers, you can of course value the blog by traffic, rank, and just what it’s about. What I’ll post about is the products that aren’t going to get coverage in the more mainstream press, which of course is what it’s all about.

\”Exhibiting Web sites must have a media badge in order to cover the show.\’

Ok. I can understand that. Except, does that then mean that someone like Tim Jackson needs a media badge to post about Interbike on his blog? Or myself? And how would you police that? Granted, we aren\’t at the show exhibiting as a website, but the point I\’m making is that anyone and everyone can be a blogger. And, all of them can, and may, write about their experience at booth xyz on their blog. Thanks to the wireless connections, they can blog it before they go on to the next booth! In many cases, we want them to. Heck, if I can get Tim to blog anything about our stuff at Interbike, it will be a success! (are you listening, Tim???)

Because of an experience I had recently, I can fully understand the need to think about how bloggers best fit into all of our plans. Not \”will they fit\” but \”how do they best fit\”? It\’s something most companies will struggle with. I will be very interested to see how Interbike does deal with the influx of requests from bloggers to cover the show.

Please do keep us all posted!

As for a blogger event…I\’d love to join in, if it fits in the schedule.

On the legitimacy of certain blogs, their value to Interbike, and judgement calls: Traditional news media has struggled with this since, well forever. Take papers like The New York Post or rags like The Enquirer as examples. Where do you draw the line? Sometimes it’s obvious, and sometimes it’s more vague. Who has the “real, hard news” and who is writing pure drivel? Unfortunately, there is no easy answer and Interbike will have to examine each blog and make a discriminating judgement call. (Yes, you can still do that in America)

On blogs as communication tools: Yes, it is imperitive that we all start looking at the actual communication being made ( if any) and not that there is a “mouth piece” for anyone that wants to employ it. The sooner we think of the message we want to send instead of the medium it’s on, the better. I would encourage the Interbike folks to look at getting ahold of this opportunity. This is a great time to set your standards now. Once that is done, it will be easier to set the boundaries as to what is and isn’t acceptable for bloggers, Interbike, and it’s attendees.

Otherwise, maybe it might be a good idea to do it right as the show closes on Wed or Thurs, that way people like Tim Jackson and the Surly guys could make it this year.

As far as last year… it was pretty good. About eight people came and we discussed all kinds of blogging related things.

Count me in man. I know some other folks will want to get in on this. Let’s just see what we come up with now. Maybe you post an invite for suggestions and I’ll do the same. I know Tim Grahl is all for it and wants to try to get something together.

Tim

It does, sadly, in many cases prove to be a judgment call. It does require that the blogger/ blog show some sort of value. Tim Grahl is a fine example; he and his sites are great. They add value to the discussion. Some of the other blogs that consist of personal rants and slanders would be hard to offer a spot at the table.

I obviously believe in the value of blogs and that many bloggers need to be allowed to attend, but it will mean that the blogs in question prove their value and that “Interbike” takes a moment to take a look at the blog and check the value of dialog there. Again, a judgment call has to be made.

Off the topic a touch; we do still need to discuss a Blogger event at Interbike this year. Even if totally informal. It just needs to happen- in my opinion.