Comments on: Eurobike USA? New US Trade Show on Horizon? http://www.interbiketimes.com/2006/10/30/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/ The Official Blog Of Interbike Sat, 15 May 2010 01:30:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Interbike Times » Archives » Thanks, I Needed That http://www.interbiketimes.com/2006/10/30/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/comment-page-1/#comment-938 Interbike Times » Archives » Thanks, I Needed That Wed, 20 Dec 2006 08:36:42 +0000 http://www.interbiketimes.com/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/#comment-938 [...] On Monday, I saw that there was a new episode available and that iTunes had downloaded it. I also noticed that one of the the topics of discussion was the Eurobike-USA situation that went on during the month of November. I usually put new episodes of the podcast on in the background as I work, but I knew that Lance (Interbike’s Show Director) and I were driving down to San Diego for a meeting with a potential partner for Interbike’s sister show, the Health+Fitness Business Expo, on Tuesday morning and it would make an interesting listen during the drive. I burned a copy of the episode onto a cd (don’t own an iPod) and we brought it along for the ride. [...] [...] On Monday, I saw that there was a new episode available and that iTunes had downloaded it. I also noticed that one of the the topics of discussion was the Eurobike-USA situation that went on during the month of November. I usually put new episodes of the podcast on in the background as I work, but I knew that Lance (Interbike’s Show Director) and I were driving down to San Diego for a meeting with a potential partner for Interbike’s sister show, the Health+Fitness Business Expo, on Tuesday morning and it would make an interesting listen during the drive. I burned a copy of the episode onto a cd (don’t own an iPod) and we brought it along for the ride. [...]

]]> By: Lance Camisasca http://www.interbiketimes.com/2006/10/30/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/comment-page-1/#comment-337 Lance Camisasca Fri, 03 Nov 2006 21:15:53 +0000 http://www.interbiketimes.com/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/#comment-337 Let us hope we do not have to make a tough decision come September 2007 regarding which shows to attend.....however. If the exhibitor list for each event were identical, a million to one probability, keep in mind that for every $1 Interbike receives in revenue, a nickel is spent on supporting the NBDA, Bikes Belong, League of American Bicyclists, IMBA, Trip for Kids, Sprockids and others worthy of support. I have no idea whether or not our new competitor will do anything close to the same, but we have been doing this for many, many years. These fine organizations are doing top shelf work on our industry's behalf and it is working! Let's please not lose sight of that. Let us hope we do not have to make a tough decision come September 2007 regarding which shows to attend…..however.

If the exhibitor list for each event were identical, a million to one probability, keep in mind that for every $1 Interbike receives in revenue, a nickel is spent on supporting the NBDA, Bikes Belong, League of American Bicyclists, IMBA, Trip for Kids, Sprockids and others worthy of support. I have no idea whether or not our new competitor will do anything close to the same, but we have been doing this for many, many years. These fine organizations are doing top shelf work on our industry’s behalf and it is working! Let’s please not lose sight of that.

]]> By: Carlton Reid http://www.interbiketimes.com/2006/10/30/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/comment-page-1/#comment-325 Carlton Reid Thu, 02 Nov 2006 10:28:25 +0000 http://www.interbiketimes.com/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/#comment-325 Put simplistically, EICMA Milan is a road bike show, IFMA Koln is a low to mid-end utility bike show, and Eurobike is a high-end show for mostly MTBs but now also with more and more road bikes. IFMA has become more of a domestic German show over the last 3-4 years, with Eurobike coming from behind to take most of the high-end spoils. The German distributor of Shimano has wavered from year to year but now attends both shows. IFMA is also the 'official' show of the large German IBD buying groups. Eurobike is a fabulous, market-dominating show. I'm very surprised the organisers think they can replicate that success in the US. In the UK, similar infighting has left us with no 'one big trade show'. IBDs have to attend multiple one-brand hotel shows or 12-supplier mini-trade shows for high-end brands only. There's also a trade day tagged to the front of the September Cycle show in London. It's a given that no one show - wherever or whenever - will be perfect for everyone. However the sooner the major companies vote with their wallets on this issue the better for the industry. Put simplistically, EICMA Milan is a road bike show, IFMA Koln is a low to mid-end utility bike show, and Eurobike is a high-end show for mostly MTBs but now also with more and more road bikes.

IFMA has become more of a domestic German show over the last 3-4 years, with Eurobike coming from behind to take most of the high-end spoils.

The German distributor of Shimano has wavered from year to year but now attends both shows.

IFMA is also the ‘official’ show of the large German IBD buying groups.

Eurobike is a fabulous, market-dominating show. I’m very surprised the organisers think they can replicate that success in the US.

In the UK, similar infighting has left us with no ‘one big trade show’. IBDs have to attend multiple one-brand hotel shows or 12-supplier mini-trade shows for high-end brands only. There’s also a trade day tagged to the front of the September Cycle show in London.

It’s a given that no one show – wherever or whenever – will be perfect for everyone. However the sooner the major companies vote with their wallets on this issue the better for the industry.

]]> By: Tim Jackson http://www.interbiketimes.com/2006/10/30/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/comment-page-1/#comment-321 Tim Jackson Thu, 02 Nov 2006 00:23:06 +0000 http://www.interbiketimes.com/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/#comment-321 Dave, another thing to keep in mind is that many of the comapnies who attend all of the shows in Europe do so because they have distributors in those countries showing the product. A company rep or two will go, but the booths are largely the responsibility of the distributor for that country. As in this country, some companies have multiple distributors as well- further increasing the ability to attend multiple shows. As a one stop shop here in the US, I'd likely have to choose one show- instantly alienating the other market. If I go to Vegas, I hurt the feelings of my dear friends in Portland. If I go to Portland, I run the risk of not being around for the folks who won't be in Portland. It's a dilly of a pickle... Dave, another thing to keep in mind is that many of the comapnies who attend all of the shows in Europe do so because they have distributors in those countries showing the product. A company rep or two will go, but the booths are largely the responsibility of the distributor for that country. As in this country, some companies have multiple distributors as well- further increasing the ability to attend multiple shows.

As a one stop shop here in the US, I’d likely have to choose one show- instantly alienating the other market. If I go to Vegas, I hurt the feelings of my dear friends in Portland. If I go to Portland, I run the risk of not being around for the folks who won’t be in Portland.

It’s a dilly of a pickle…

]]> By: Dave Roth http://www.interbiketimes.com/2006/10/30/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/comment-page-1/#comment-320 Dave Roth Wed, 01 Nov 2006 23:11:23 +0000 http://www.interbiketimes.com/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/#comment-320 Rich, You make a good point about whether I would attend if it were in the other Portland (or anywhere else for that matter). From a financial point of view, I would probably only attend one of the two shows if I had to pay for similar travel/hotel/food for both shows. That is also assuming that both shows have the same vendors. If each show had unique exhibitors, then I would try to attend both, if possible. If the same exhibitors are at both shows, then it becomes a question of which show is cheaper to attend. I am eagerly awaiting more news about the show, especially from the organizers, to see if they address some of these questions we all have. Rich,

You make a good point about whether I would attend if it were in the other Portland (or anywhere else for that matter). From a financial point of view, I would probably only attend one of the two shows if I had to pay for similar travel/hotel/food for both shows. That is also assuming that both shows have the same vendors. If each show had unique exhibitors, then I would try to attend both, if possible. If the same exhibitors are at both shows, then it becomes a question of which show is cheaper to attend. I am eagerly awaiting more news about the show, especially from the organizers, to see if they address some of these questions we all have.

]]> By: Rich Kelly http://www.interbiketimes.com/2006/10/30/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/comment-page-1/#comment-318 Rich Kelly Wed, 01 Nov 2006 20:58:33 +0000 http://www.interbiketimes.com/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/#comment-318 Dave, You state some valid questions regarding the diferences between the trade show environment in Europe and North America. I think we will all become much better versed in this topic over the next few months. Some initial thoughts on this would be to note that the European market is very different from ours. The cultural differences between the many countries and even the existance of stronger "utilitarian/non-recreational" bike markets are conditions that necessitated the existance of multiple shows to serve them. This isn't to say that things are static over there. Aside from manufacturers' ability to afford multiple shows or not, what is the benefit to the industry of more than one show? Will it serve a new under-represented niche or product segment? What if the show were proposed to be in other Portland, in Maine - would you be just as interested in attending? Keep reading as this story unfolds and keep adding your comments! Dave,
You state some valid questions regarding the diferences between the trade show environment in Europe and North America. I think we will all become much better versed in this topic over the next few months.
Some initial thoughts on this would be to note that the European market is very different from ours. The cultural differences between the many countries and even the existance of stronger “utilitarian/non-recreational” bike markets are conditions that necessitated the existance of multiple shows to serve them. This isn’t to say that things are static over there.
Aside from manufacturers’ ability to afford multiple shows or not, what is the benefit to the industry of more than one show? Will it serve a new under-represented niche or product segment? What if the show were proposed to be in other Portland, in Maine – would you be just as interested in attending?
Keep reading as this story unfolds and keep adding your comments!

]]> By: Interbike Times » Archives » Apples to Apples http://www.interbiketimes.com/2006/10/30/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/comment-page-1/#comment-317 Interbike Times » Archives » Apples to Apples Wed, 01 Nov 2006 20:38:52 +0000 http://www.interbiketimes.com/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/#comment-317 [...] Just a little point of clarification here on this whole possible new US trade show story. With so many postings and bits of news flying around the net out there in the last few days, I’ve seen some numbers and statistics being presented incorrectly. [...] [...] Just a little point of clarification here on this whole possible new US trade show story. With so many postings and bits of news flying around the net out there in the last few days, I’ve seen some numbers and statistics being presented incorrectly. [...]

]]> By: Dave Roth http://www.interbiketimes.com/2006/10/30/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/comment-page-1/#comment-314 Dave Roth Wed, 01 Nov 2006 19:50:06 +0000 http://www.interbiketimes.com/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/#comment-314 I've been following the coverage of the Eurobike/Portland show on this site and others. As a retailer, I'm excited by the news, especially since my store is located in Portland. A lot of people are talking about the issue of whether the industry can handle two shows so close together. Tim Jackson (in the post above) asks some very good questions about whether distributors/manufacturers can afford two shows or if they will choose to attend only one. As a retailer, we will have to make similar decisions about attending both shows. For us, it is a bit easier since one show will be local, so we don't have to pay for travel/hotel/food. So we probably will attend both. What I'm not seeing mentioned in all this coverage is that a similar situation exists in Europe. I'm looking at the September 1 issue of Bicycle Retailer magazine, and they have a special insert about the European bike industry. Right on the cover of this section, they list the international show schedule. There are three major shows in Europe, all within a month of each other. Eurobike was in Germany on Aug 31 to Sep 3, IFMA was also in Germany on Sept 14-17, and then EICMA was in Italy on Sept 15-18. Two of these shows overlap dates, and many of the vendors at those shows also come to Interbike, which was a few days later. I havent' attended any of the European shows, but based on the media coverage, these are all large shows with many manufacturers/distributors attending all of them. I'm assuming that many of those companies are similar to companies here in the US, with similar numbers of employees and profits and all that sort of thing. How do they afford to attend all these shows, yet US companies can't attend more than one show in a year? I'd love to hear from some of the industry people who have attended these shows to get their input. I’ve been following the coverage of the Eurobike/Portland show on this site and others. As a retailer, I’m excited by the news, especially since my store is located in Portland. A lot of people are talking about the issue of whether the industry can handle two shows so close together. Tim Jackson (in the post above) asks some very good questions about whether distributors/manufacturers can afford two shows or if they will choose to attend only one. As a retailer, we will have to make similar decisions about attending both shows. For us, it is a bit easier since one show will be local, so we don’t have to pay for travel/hotel/food. So we probably will attend both.

What I’m not seeing mentioned in all this coverage is that a similar situation exists in Europe. I’m looking at the September 1 issue of Bicycle Retailer magazine, and they have a special insert about the European bike industry. Right on the cover of this section, they list the international show schedule. There are three major shows in Europe, all within a month of each other. Eurobike was in Germany on Aug 31 to Sep 3, IFMA was also in Germany on Sept 14-17, and then EICMA was in Italy on Sept 15-18. Two of these shows overlap dates, and many of the vendors at those shows also come to Interbike, which was a few days later.

I havent’ attended any of the European shows, but based on the media coverage, these are all large shows with many manufacturers/distributors attending all of them. I’m assuming that many of those companies are similar to companies here in the US, with similar numbers of employees and profits and all that sort of thing. How do they afford to attend all these shows, yet US companies can’t attend more than one show in a year? I’d love to hear from some of the industry people who have attended these shows to get their input.

]]> By: Tim Jackson http://www.interbiketimes.com/2006/10/30/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/comment-page-1/#comment-312 Tim Jackson Wed, 01 Nov 2006 19:06:46 +0000 http://www.interbiketimes.com/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/#comment-312 So many things to consider. I love Portland and will find any way I can to support what the city does, but the timing is just really bad for another show. If it were earlier or later, it'd be better- I think. Maybe with the two shows so close together, people will go to one or the other, rather than both. But what about the distributors/ manufacturers? Can they afford to only do one show? Can they afford the cost of doing both? I believe a second show could be good, but I believe that if that is to happen, then we need a west coast and East coast approach. It just seems more fair that way. Portland is a super, super city and I want this to work on a ery personal level, but I wish that Eurobike was doing it at a different time. Rich- I totally agree that the overall health of the industry has benefitted by the efforts of Interbike. I think all of us in the business have a complaint of some kind about the show, but it is the meeting place for us all and we keep going because it still serves a purpose- whether it is business or networking or seeing old/ new friends. So many things to consider. I love Portland and will find any way I can to support what the city does, but the timing is just really bad for another show. If it were earlier or later, it’d be better- I think. Maybe with the two shows so close together, people will go to one or the other, rather than both. But what about the distributors/ manufacturers? Can they afford to only do one show? Can they afford the cost of doing both?

I believe a second show could be good, but I believe that if that is to happen, then we need a west coast and East coast approach. It just seems more fair that way.

Portland is a super, super city and I want this to work on a ery personal level, but I wish that Eurobike was doing it at a different time.

Rich- I totally agree that the overall health of the industry has benefitted by the efforts of Interbike. I think all of us in the business have a complaint of some kind about the show, but it is the meeting place for us all and we keep going because it still serves a purpose- whether it is business or networking or seeing old/ new friends.

]]> By: BikePortland.org » Blog Archive » Reactions and thoughts on Eurobike Portland http://www.interbiketimes.com/2006/10/30/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/comment-page-1/#comment-300 BikePortland.org » Blog Archive » Reactions and thoughts on Eurobike Portland Tue, 31 Oct 2006 20:27:21 +0000 http://www.interbiketimes.com/eurobike-usa-new-us-trade-show-on-horizon/#comment-300 [...] Fortunately Interbike has a blog (started in no small part because of this post I made on a bicycle industry blog back in April ‘05) so they were ready to respond right away: “…if Eurobike believes that they can help our industry continue to grow cycling as a more visible and important activity in our marketplace by launching a competing show at about the same time as Interbike, then we welcome them to the family. If nothing else, the competition will help us to be even better at what we do. However, the dividing effect it could have on our industry is a concern. We believe that having an annual gathering of the industry community where we can all get together is important.” [...] [...] Fortunately Interbike has a blog (started in no small part because of this post I made on a bicycle industry blog back in April ‘05) so they were ready to respond right away: “…if Eurobike believes that they can help our industry continue to grow cycling as a more visible and important activity in our marketplace by launching a competing show at about the same time as Interbike, then we welcome them to the family. If nothing else, the competition will help us to be even better at what we do. However, the dividing effect it could have on our industry is a concern. We believe that having an annual gathering of the industry community where we can all get together is important.” [...]

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