CHICAGO (BRAIN) — The CABDA Expo has begun general exhibitor registration for its annual trade show held in February.
The 2018 expo will be the fourth since the show was restarted in 2015.
Jim Kersten, CABDA's president and show director, said, "I could not be happier with the growth of our show. We've doubled our floorspace, and based on interest from dealers from out of state, we're also on track to shatter any of our previous attendance numbers."
The 2017 Expo attracted almost 2,000 attendees from 485 shops across 22 states; a growth of over 400 percent in three years.
"We have a lot of things going for us: We're preseason – so shop owners can attend the show without losing business; We're centrally located – so we're easy to get to; and we're incredibly low cost – so exhibitors love us, because we're very low risk," Kersten said.
The show will be held at the Schaumburg Convention Cente, which is 30 minutes from downtown Chicago and within 15 minutes of O'Hare International Airport.
"Being close to the airport is huge for us, as we continue to draw in dealers from out-of-state. Chicago is a major hub for multiple airlines so folks can typically get here cheaply and easily," Kersten said.
Seminars and clinics at the Expo will be held in conjunction with the Professional Bicycle Mechanic's Association and will be free to all attendees.
Events will include an industry party, awards presentation, and a free keynote breakfast.
The CABDA Expo is a trade-only event that runs February 14-15. More information, including exhibitor registration, can be found at cabda.com. Dealer registration will open Oct. 16.
