SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA (BRAIN)—Hosting Health+Fitness Business Expo (HFB) in conjunction with the Interbike International Bicycle Expo brought more retailers and enthusiasm to the show floor.
HFB, held Sept. 22-23 in The Venetian Las Vegas Hotel, hosted 92 companies, an increase of nearly 30 more than last year, according to a press release. Metrics for the show indicate that 1,300 buyers attended the show, compared to 380 buyers in 2009. The total number of unique buying businesses in attendance was 665, compared to 200 last year.
"Health+Fitness maintained great energy throughout the two day expo and brought fitness product and brand visibility to a whole new level," said Andy Tompkins, Health+Fitness Business and Interbike show director. "The success of co-locating the 2010 Interbike and HFB shows together demonstrated how compatible the fitness and bike industries are and created countless opportunities for future synergy and collaboration."
Many HFB attendees found significant business advantages in HFB teaming up with Interbike.
"It's nice to have HFB and Interbike together because many fitness products are used in the bike industry," said Dwayne Bowen of Brands Cycle and Fitness. "I'm actually going over to Interbike later today for a fitness meeting about Power Taps, which can be used on road bikes and spinners."
HFB exhibitors were equally impressed by the show's revival.
"We made a late decision to attend after not attending last year, and it has been a very successful show," said Steve Wilkins, CEO and president of BH Fitness. "It seems as though the show has turned back up from previous years. Yesterday we had well over 70 meetings and 25 were with new potential customers. That alone makes it worthwhile for us to be here."
Many brands owe the show's new energy to an increase in bicycle retailers attending both HFB and Interbike, held adjacent to The Venetian in the Sands Expo and Convention Center September 22 - 24.
"We are seeing more potential buyers from the bike side," said Tom Staub, CEO of PaceMaster. "We come to HFB to prospect potential new accounts, and that's where I think the combination of the Health+Fitness Business Show along with the Interbike show is very beneficial. It opens us up to a different market of retailers looking for counter seasonal equipment."
Show organizers are determining how to further combine HFB and Interbike when they're hosted together again in 2011.
