LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA (BRAIN)—Just one month after launching, Lifeboat Solution's Press Camp(TM) has already confirmed 20 publications and Web sites, and seven bicycle industry companies for the June 23-25 event in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Press Camp(TM) will provide an intimate venue for top journalists and a select group of bike industry companies to talk about and test new product. The three-day event includes time for demos, one-on-one classroom sessions, product displays, and networking. With travel and marketing budgets tight, journalists and manufacturers are planning to capitalize on the event’s focused schedule and audience.
“The response we’ve had has been just outstanding. Space is filling fast,” said Lance Camisasca, president of Lifeboat Solutions. “There’s never been anything quite like this for the bike industry, so we’re fulfilling an important need—especially in these times when everyone’s eyes are on the bottom line.”
Manufacturers recognize Press Camp(TM) as a time- and cost-effective way to pitch their products to a captive group of top journalists.
“Times are tight right now. We cannot afford to host our own media event, or sacrifice much time out of the office for focused media outreach,” said Michael Pederson of Lazer USA. “But it’s a catch-22 because we need the editorial coverage to give our products some momentum for the busy buying months and fall trade shows. So Press Camp(TM) is the perfect solution.”
Press Camp(TM) is limited to 20 companies in order to provide quality exposure for all involved. Cannondale Sports Group, GORE RideOn Cables, Lazer Helmets, Pedro’s, Scott USA, Smith Optics, and Tomac are among those already committed to coming. Numerous other prominent companies have expressed strong interest.
Journalists from mainstream publications such as Men’s Journal, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Wired, and Outside plan to attend, citing it as an outstanding opportunity to connect with multiple brands in one trip. In addition, Press Camp(TM) has already signed on nearly all of the industry media outlets, including Bicycling, Dirt Rag, Road Bike Action, VeloNews, Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, cyclingnews.com, Bike Europe, BikeBiz, Eurobike Show Daily, and six others.
“This sounds like a great opportunity for companies to lower costs while being able to meet with multiple editors,” said Marc Sani, publisher of Bicycle Retailer and Industry News. “Everyone wants free editorial. To have a key group of editors in one spot to touch and ride product is an excellent idea.”
European media like the timing of the event. Tom Kavanagh of KB Media, publisher of the Eurobike Show Daily, signed up immediately. “Press Camp(TM) is the perfect venue for us to check out the products that will debut at the fall shows,” said Kavanagh. “With testing and interviews in the bag, we'll be ready to go when we cover the brands exhibiting at Eurobike. It makes the work of producing a show daily that much easier.”
Lifeboat Solutions will handle all of the event details, allowing suppliers to simply show up with their product. They’ll enjoy quality interactions with editors they may not meet otherwise or who have little time to spare at fall trade shows.
“The media and manufacturers are all over this event,” said Camisasca. “This is a really clear indication of the value of Press Camp(TM). The journalists love the efficiency of it. And for the manufacturers, there’s no better bang for the buck to get this kind of focused attention.”
