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Nov
18
Google Streetview Heads Indoors
Filed Under Attendee News, Online Marketing | 3 Comments
Not sure how I missed this news from around Halloween. Maybe I was too focused on dialing in my son”s Ninja Turtle costume to his hyper attentive 6-year-old standards (“Dad! Michaelangelo is the orange turtle. That’s red!”). So what did I miss? Well, it looks like the controversial Google Streetview feature of Google Maps has now headed indoors.
Now, just as you can navigate up and down streets and pan around to see store fronts and unsuspecting pedestrians and sunbathers, you can wander through the insides of stores. You get the whole 360 degree, up-down and all around treatment. I just happened to be Googling one of my favorite local shops yesterday when some photos popped up in the Google Places area of the results. Upon clicking them, I noticed that I could wander through Pacific Coast Cycles’ crowded, but neat, showroom.
I spoke with PCC’s owner Chuck about this, and he said a Google person came by and took pictures not too long ago. I actually remember a few years back being in the store when a Google staffer came by to collect info about his business for Google Places. Here’s Google’s FAQ about the program.
I did a few quick searches for other shops that might have interior views with no luck. I’d love to feature some shops in this way – have any of your local shops had their insides filmed by Google? Any of you shops out there been invited to participate? Let me know. And keep your showrooms neat!
Update: Palo Alto Bicycles has been shot for Street View interiors.
Nov
17
Nielsen: Discounts Drive Brand Love on Social Media
Filed Under Attendee News, Online Marketing | 1 Comment
From our colleagues in the NM Incite division of Nielsen, who work with companies to measure and optimize their online brands (officially: “helps businesses harness the full potential of social media intelligence to drive superior business performance across their organizations.”), comes this report about the most important driver of brand loyalty in the social media world.
There’s been much discussion in the marketing world recently about what motivates consumers to “friend” or “like” brands on sites like Facebook and Twitter. Typically used as a way to stay in touch with, share and communicate with friends, what are we looking for in return for friending a brand? We don’t usually opt-in to receive advertising and branding messages in other media – unless there is an incentive. Think free weekend at the resort in return for sitting in on a presentation about purchasing a time share at the property.
And while it’s all good that we – as brand managers – have been able to use SM to personalize our companies and interact with fans and customers in a more direct, human way, this study shows that, at the end of the day, discounts and deals are still a powerful driver. Other reasons, such as “showing support for the brand” and “be among the first to get news and information” are still significant, but are overshadowed by the almighty discount. Just look at the success of deal/coupon sites like Groupon and Living Social. In the bike and outdoor specific industry, we’ve seen the emergence of companies like The Clymb.
It’s interesting that in North America, this economic incentive is noticeably more powerful than in the rest of the world.
Do you offer deals or discounts to people who like or follow your brand online?
Here’s the chart from the report:
Sep
11
Remembering 9-11 in Las Vegas
Filed Under Attendee News, Interbike | 1 Comment
Just wanted to write a brief post on this 10th anniversary of 9-11 from here in Las Vegas. A lot of the industry is travelling to Interbike today from all parts of the US and the world today. We’d like to take at least brief moment to remember and acknowledge the events that took place 10 years ago today and honor the heroes that arose from those tragic events as we plan for a week of talking about, riding and celebrating bikes.
I arrived in Las Vegas yesterday afternoon and took a stroll over to the New York New York Hotel on the other end of the Strip from the Sands. Here’s a photo I took of their Statue of Liberty which has a permanent memorial to 9-11 along the sidewalk at its base:
Following the events of September 11, 2001, firefighters from around the world who visited Las Vegas created an impromptu memorial at NY-NY by leaving t-shirts from their home fire battalions on the fence that surrounded the statue. Apparently, several thousand shirts had been left by 2003 and the hotel subsequently donated many of them to the University of Nevada Las Vegas to be archived.
The hotel kept some of the shirts and built a permanent memorial consisting of lighted marble and glass display cases each featuring one of the shirts. You can see some of them at the bottom of the photo above.
On a side note, I have a personal connection to 9-11. My wife and I were scheduled to move to California from Connecticut (about 40 miles north of New York City) on September 11, 2001, as my employer in the bike industry at the time was transferring a number of us to offices out West. Luckily, we were supposed to be on an afternoon flight that day and, needless to say, we were only able to move west a few days later.
We’re coming up on our 10th anniversary of living in California, and we’ll never forget the date. Of course, our connection to the date pails in significance to that of the many families directly affected by the events that day. Our thoughts go out to all of them today.
Safe travels and we’ll see you all in Las Vegas.
Sep
6
SRAM’s pART PROJECT at Interbike
Filed Under Attendee News, Events, Exhibitor News, Industry News, Interbike | Comments Off
While there’s no shortage of things to see and do at Interbike this year, this is one that I’m super excited to see: The SRAM pART PROJECT.
SRAM gave 50 artists a box full of 100 components and asked them to create something with them. The finished pieces will be put on display at Interbike and then at a gallery in Chicago in October after which they will be auctioned off to benefit World Bicycle Relief.
Here’s a video short of one of the artists working on his creation:
Look for the pART PROJECT display lining the main aisle on the Street Level of the show next week – make sure to check it out.
Aug
25
Guest editorial by Fred Clements, executive director of the National Bicycle Dealers Association. Interbike is a full partner and funding resource for the NBDA.
From Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, August 15, 2011, page 38.
Numbers don’t lie: Dealers still find Interbike relevant
Despite the many options dealers have today to see new products, the majority plan to make the journey to Las Vegas next month. That’s the takeaway from the latest survey by the National Bicycle Dealers Association. In fact, 85 percent of dealers said they find some or great relevance in Interbike. The online study, conducted by Harvey Research, elicited 1,100 responses.
In its 30th year, Interbike continues to be the biggest single trade event in North America for independent bicycle dealers. When Steve Ready started Interbike in 1982, regional trade shows were common and there were usually at least three annually. After consolidation and some turmoil, Interbike emerged as the one big show that would meet a dealer’s needs at a convenient time and place.
And Interbike remains their first choice today, even with options like consumer events, some with a trade component, niche trade events, and private company events produced by Trek, Specialized, Quality Bicycle Products and others.
Why so much support? Why do 71% of past attendees call Interbike a “must attend” event, and 62% call it “a highlight of my business year”?
According to the survey, dealers come in such large numbers to:
- See new products, equipment, technology and services. Of the retailers surveyed, 92 percent gave this as a reason. Interbike is either effective or very effective in this regard, with 80 percent of the respondents saying so.
- Keep up to date with industry trends (78 percent). Interbike allows all companies to exhibit and gives dealers free reign to explore the marketplace without any one company or agenda running the show.
- To see existing suppliers (79 percent).
- Maintain and build relationships and networking (78 percent).
- Find new suppliers (75 percent). A surprising 50 percent report that they have a major problem with “suppliers whose actions and policies are not in the retailers’ best interest.” Another 35 percent consider this a minor problem, but still a problem. Finding partners whose values align with yours is a central task for any independent business. Interbike “consistently draws the major players,” giving dealers options, according to 75 percent of the respondents.
- Compare competing products (54 percent). While it is important to understand the products in your store, knowing the competition can be a big help in the sales process.
- Access education and training (49 percent). There are more and a greater variety of seminars and tech clinics at Interbike than at any other industry event.
- See or participate in product demos (45 percent). The Outdoor Demo has added a dimension that allows direct comparison of bicycles in the field. This goes well beyond spec and speaks to the experience itself.
- Meet with vendor executives (45 percent). Working with sales staff is fundamental. Engaging upper management allows more strategic issues to be addressed.
- See new products first reviewed online (45 percent). A majority of retailers also said that Interbike helps them “stay ahead of the consumer” (76 percent).
- Make purchases (36 percent). Even with many companies pushing for earlier ordering commitments, only 22 percent of dealer orders are finalized prior to Interbike. More than half of respondents (59 percent) said Interbike is important for confirming their final mix of preseason orders.
The numbers speak for themselves. Interbike is still perceived as a smart investment by a majority of dealers. And attendance figures back this up, with thousands spending their own time and money to attend every year, voting with their feet. As one Northern California dealer recently told me, “I do think of Interbike as our show.”
Still, there is no show without dealers. So, I urge every independent bicycle dealer to make the trip to Las Vegas this year. It’s a good use of time and money.
Aug
10
In one of the most anticipated announcements leading up the 2011 edition of the show, Interbike organizers today announced the line up of beers that will be available in the new “The Pub” on the Street Level of the show. The pub will feature a wide selection of beers – listed below – and pub-style food such as brats for showgoers.
The new Pub will be a place where retailers and exhibitors can relax, have a casual meeting and grab a beer, drink or quick bite to eat on the floor of the show. The Pub will be located between the new street level Urban Yard and Circulus Velodrome. For more food options, there will also be a new Interbike Cafe also located on the street level show floor. I’ll post more food details as I get them. This will be a big upgrade to the dining options and also eliminate the need to walk back to the food courts in the Venetian hotel.
Here’s what we have lined up for beer choices:
Fat Tire
Blue Moon
Bud Light
Sam Adams
Newcastle
Stella Artois
Heineken
Corona
Tenaya Creek
Widmer Bros
Jul
25
Circulus at Interbike
Filed Under Attendee News, Events, Interbike, Video | 1 Comment
Yes, it’s true. Circulus is coming to Interbike!
As soon as I heard about Circulus last year, I picked up the phone and called Dan at Portland Design Works. It’s not trivial shipping a velodrome 1,000 miles so it took a bit to iron out the logistics. But we knew we’d get it done. As PDW co-owner, Dan Powell, just wrote, “Circulus is going on a little road trip.”
Along with co-sponsors Paved magazine, All-City Cycles and Yakima, we’re super excited to have Circulus at the annual industry gathering this year. What do we have planned? We’ll have open riding sessions available at various times throughout each day of the show. You’ll be able to grab an All-City bike from the pit and hit the track.
We’ll also have a couple of featured events – one each on the first and second days of the show. On Wednesday we’ve got the PDW/Paved Pro-Am Classic at The Circulus. Described as “Quite possibly the first annual celebrity micro-velodrome pursuit world championships, featuring stars and others.” More details about the event (and about those stars we mentioned) are still to come.
Yakima’s got the reigns for the Thursday night festivities, and I hear that it might involve some form of bike roulette… Stay tuned for more on this as it develops.
And while the events are nominally competitive, we’re shooting to focus more on the fun than on hard-core racing. Look for MC’s Chris DiStefano and Stevil Kinevil to keep the feats of strength in check.
This last Saturday, PDW hosted a little get together up at their place featuring Circulus. Hers’a little write up by BikePortland.org.
And finally, here’s a little sneak peak at Circulus in action:
PDW Circulus Promo 1 from James Wilson on Vimeo.
Where will you find Circulus at Interbike? It’ll be on the street level of the show (this year’s show is on two floors of the Sands Expo, remember?). Walk through the Urban Lounge near registration, through the new Pub beer garden and you’ll run into it.
But first, you’ve got to register for the show. You have registered already, right? www.interbike.com/register for those in the business of bikes.
Apr
28
Retailer Registration Opens with a Bang
Filed Under Attendee News, Industry News, Interbike | Comments Off
So retailer and buyer registration for this year’s Interbike and OutDoor Demo is now open. We decided to open reg a few weeks earlier than we typically do, and interest has been really strong so far. As of the release of our press release with the reg update (below) we’ve had more than 2,300 buyers register to attend the show – about a 160% lead on last year this far out from the show. From all the reports I’ve seen and from speaking with people in the industry over the last few months, I think it all points to a strong outlook for bikes this year.
And thanks for the early commitment if you’re one of those who’ve registered already!
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Retailers Registering Earlier and In Larger Numbers for Interbike 2011
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. – April 26, 2011 – Interbike opened buyer registration a month early this year and retailers are responding. Registration for the 30th edition of the industry’s leading trade show is currently at more than 2,300 qualified buyers, a 160 percent increase over last year during the same time span.
“As a buyer, Interbike offers me a chance to spend two days evaluating product at OutDoor Demo, then transition into the indoor show to look at product, reconnect with vendors, and cement deals on the products I decide that I have to have in the store,” said Ted Arnold, bike buyer at Mellow Johnny’s in Austin, Texas. “I also handle the social media for the store and our followers love the fact that we can include them in updates from the show and what we’re doing.”
The yearly pilgrimage to Interbike also offers shop owners a chance to learn from other retailers as well as leaders from across the cycling industry.
“Interbike is a great educational opportunity. I always attend as many seminars as I can and they help me rethink my business strategies,” said New York City’s Bike Habitat Owner Charles McCorkell. “Plus, we’ve found a lot of new products at Interbike that have been very successful for us. There’s just so much there if you open yourself up to it.”
“2011 registration opened with a bang, indicating retailers continue to look to Interbike as the place to be,” said Show Director Andy Tompkins. “Interbike strives to create an efficient and effective forum for a wide variety of retailers. From top 100 dealers, multi-unit and single door shops, to a growing number of dealers from South America and Asia, Interbike provides a platform to get their business done.”
Manufacturers, retailers, press and advocates representing categories across the cycling industry will converge on Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City, Nevada, September 12-13 before their meetings and presentations at the Interbike trade show at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas September 14-16.
Interbike recently provided the industry with a status update on the more than 560 exhibitors that have committed for the 2011 show. Notable returns to the show include Kona, Easton-Bell and Norco, along with a debut presence by legendary outdoor brand The North Face. To read the release in its entirety or for a current exhibitor list please visit www.interbike.com/pressreleases and www.interbike.com/exhibitorlist, respectively.
Interbike and OutDoor Demo attendee registration is available at www.interbike.com/register.
Apr
8
Buyer Registration for 30th Interbike is Now Open
Filed Under Attendee News, Industry News, Interbike | Comments Off
Registration for qualified retailers, distributors and other buyers is now open for Interbike 2011. Click here to register.
This year’s show will be the 30th edition of the bike industry tradeshow. Interbike was first held in 1982 in Las Vegas.
By the way, we haven’t mentioned or strongly promoted the anniversary until now, and this new 30th anniversary graphic will first be appearing in the next issue of Bicycle Retailer and Industry News to come out (April 1 edition). Our art director, Jennie Brewton, did a great job on the design. As a nice touch, she used a Campy Nuovo Record chainring and spider that would have been available for sale back in 1982 when the show was founded.
Oct
13
News: Interbike Returns to September in Las Vegas in 2011
Filed Under Attendee News, Exhibitor News, Industry News, Interbike, OutDoor Demo | 5 Comments
Here’s the press release we sent out last night announcing a change of dates for 2011 that supersedes our initial plan to move the show to August in Anaheim that we announced just prior to this year’s show.
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Interbike Returns to Las Vegas in September for 2011 Show
Show organizers respond to support for September dates and Las Vegas
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. – Oct. 12, 2010 – In response to feedback to its announcement three weeks ago that it was moving the show to August in Anaheim for 2011, Interbike today announced the 2011 edition of the show will stay in Las Vegas and will be held September 12-16.
“The announcement that we were moving the show dates and location elicited a very real response that surveys and discussions alone couldn’t accomplish,” said Andy Tompkins, Interbike show director. “Due to the overwhelmingly positive response to this year’s show and the countless conversations we’ve personally had with exhibitors and retailers regarding the future dates and location of Interbike, we are reversing our earlier decision to move the 2011 show to Anaheim in August. We are hearing loud and clear that, at this time, the industry prefers September dates and the convenience of Las Vegas.”
The indoor portion of the show will be held September 14-16 at the Sands Convention Center, with the OutDoor Demo being held in Bootleg Canyon September 12-13. The 2012 show also will be held at the Sands in Las Vegas September 19-21 with the Demo September 17-18.
The attention brought by news of moving the show to August allowed the entire industry to examine how it utilizes Interbike, what the show means to the marketplace, and helped solicit real and frank opinions from every sector of the industry. Based on this feedback and the success of Interbike 2010 (see press release), the show will move back to September in Las Vegas.
“Interbike has always been and will continue to be the industry’s show,” continued Tompkins. “We have heard the market’s passion and commitment to this event and we want you to know that we are listening. We believe the new direction will best serve the current needs of the marketplace.”
About Interbike
Interbike (a business unit of Nielsen Expositions, the parent company of the Outdoor Retailer (OR), Action Sports Retailer (ASR), Health+Fitness Business, and Fly Fishing Retailer trade shows) is a full-service trade show company that creates, markets and produces high-quality expos and educational conferences. Producers of the OutDoor Demo and Interbike International Bicycle Expo, Interbike is the leading bicycle industry business-to-business event management company, bringing together top manufacturers, retailers, industry advocates and media to conduct the business of cycling. Interbike (www.interbike.com) gathers more than 1,100 cycling-related brands and close to 23,000 total attendees annually.
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