SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA (BRAIN)—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 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."
