MONTEREY, Calif. (BRAIN) – This year's Bicycle Leadership Conference in Monterey will pick up the conversation where it left off last year, examining some of the brutal truths facing our industry.
"At last year's conference, REI CEO Jerry Stritzke challenged us to examine our brutal truths and engage in future discussion around some tough topics. Our committee has taken up the challenge to ensure the 2017 content is on point," said Megan Tompkins, who chairs the BLC committee within the BPSA. Tompkins is the publisher of Bicycle Retailer & Industry News.
Sessions will address timely issues including consumer purchasing habits, alternate distribution channels and supply chain efficiency.
Confirmed speakers include Tom Barney, the co-leader of Verde Strategy and former CEO of Osprey Packs; Steve Meineke, past president of KEEN Footwear, serving on its Advisory Board; and Elysa Walk, general manager of the Americas for Burton Snowboards and former general manager of Giant USA.
With a bit less than three months until the Bicycle Leadership Conference, April 18-20, registrations are up 40 percent over this time last year. The BLC is expected to sell out for the third year in a row.
"It's great to see that the industry recognizes the value of our event," noted Ray Keener, BPSA's executive director. "Our concern is that we're down to 30 hotel rooms at the Monterey Plaza on the Wednesday and Thursday nights of the conference."
While there are plenty of rooms nearby, the Monterey Plaza, with its special BLC pricing of $199 per night is the place to stay, organizers said. There's also a $100 discount on the registration fee through Jan. 31.
Registration is at bicycleconference.com/registration.
