MONTREAL, Quebec (BRAIN)—Though ExpoCycle organizers were close to firming up 2011 show dates, now they will have to go back to the drawing board given Interbike’s recent move to mid-September.
The Bicycle Trade Association of Canada, which owns and organizes the annual trade show, had planned on staging ExpoCycle the second weekend in September to avoid the Labor Day holiday and to coincide with the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, a race on the UCI Pro Tour, set for Sept. 11 next year. The show was tentatively set for Sept. 11-13.
But with Interbike's move back to Las Vegas Sept. 12-16, Janet O'Connell, BTAC's executive director, said it will have to reconsider its plan.
"For the last seven weeks the industry has been in an uproar over the proposed move to August by Interbike. A second and now third announcement has left everyone scrambling to evaluate alternatives and options," said O'Connell. "Having only just learned about this move to directly conflict with our planned dates in the last few hours, we have yet to gauge response from our exhibitors."
O'Connell said BTAC will reach out to Canadian suppliers and retailers over the next few days to determine when to hold ExpoCycle.
"BTAC's main objective with ExpoCycle is to serve the Canadian industry with a quality trade show, where our supplier and retail members can conduct business in the most effective manner," she said. "Retailers and suppliers deserve to be consulted as part of the decision-making process for the industry's major trade events. We will consult our membership and act accordingly on that input."
ExpoCycle attracts some 800 bike shops every year, including a good number of U.S. shops on the East Coast, and about 100 exhibitors representing 800 of the industry’s major brands.
O’Connell said the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal coincided with the first day of ExpoCycle this year and created a lot of buzz and excitement on the show floor. Due to the success, organizers hoped to marry the two events again for 2011.
Earlier this year BTAC surveyed the Canadian industry on the location of the show and determined that it should remain in Montréal, where it has been held since 2003, though Toronto and Vancouver were considered. It also asked exhibitors about dates at the show and found an overwhelming majority wanted to keep it in September.
—Lynette Carpiet
lcarpiet@bicycleretailer.com
