Bob – Sorry you couldn’t make it to the presentation. There was some great back and forth discussion during the talk about various locations and everyone’s pitch for their own backyard. On your recommendation of San Diego (which came up in the discussion), there are some unfortunate limitations that prevent it from being a viable choice. Personally, I live in San Diego County myself and would love to see the show here. We even hold two other trade shows in SD (ASR) so we know the conv ctr and the area very well.

Just two of the limitations for SD that make it difficult:
1. The convention center is just not big enough to host a show the size of Interbike. That’s really a show stopper. It’s a beautiful venue, but too small for our industry’s size.
2. The airport is small, too, with its one runway. This is a major issue for the city as a whole, as you know if you live here. There aren’t enough direct flights from around the country and international flights are also very limited.

These don’t take away from the great San Diego bike culture an weather that could combine to make for a great host city.

I did not make it in time. I hope that this does not extinguish the spirit or importance of my message. San Diego is the best location in America for Interbike.

Not only do we have a large and growing Convention Center district, which includes the Gaslamp district and Petco Park, but the generous and closeby facilities of Balboa Park and the Olympic bicycle training center.

Add what is arguably the worlds most perfect weather and a light rail transportation infrastructure second to none. There are four separate commuter train services in San Diego. Amtrak, Metrolink (LA) Coaster (San Diego) Sprinter (Escondido) and all are bicycle friendly.

We don’t believe that any other west coast metro area can compare with San Diego as a host city for Inerbike.

And the County wants to extend it’s hand of cooperation to make San Diego the world’s bicycle city.

Aloha,

Bob Kiger
Globike.org
http://www.cruiserbob.com