• If you attended Interbike in 2011 or 2012 you can log on to registration, choose your name from the look up file and register. You can also do this for store employees who attended Interbike in 2011 or 2012.

• If you or your employees have not attended Interbike in the last two years you will need to re-qualify.

Why are we doing this? Because the retail community complained that too many non-qualified individuals were sneaking into Interbike, filling up floor space and taking up valuable time with exhibitors. We listened to your concerns and to combat this we doubled down on our security and are asking first time and non recent attendees to show us their credentials to ensure they have a right to be at Interbike.

So how does Interbike by Invitation factor into this? We understand that while retailers want to ensure Interbike is for trade only, sometimes a bike shop wants to invite a really great customer, so we added Interbike by Invitation, our invited guest day. On Friday September 20th we are providing retailers with the opportunity to bring their best customers to Interbike. These invited guests will receive VIP treatment from Interbike including a badge that clearly identifies them as invited guests, eliminating any confusion among our exhibitors. Let’s face it, there’s a good chance many of the individuals who will come to Interbike by Invitation have attended Interbike before, but they attended under the guise of a retail employee. Interbike by Invitation simply identifies these folks for who they are – great customers – and provides them with special treatment and perks on the last day of the show.

• Are you a bike shop owner and you need to re-qualify for Interbike? No problem. Simply ensure you have any two of the following documents available in digital format (a scan) prior to logging onto registration. You will upload these documents as part of your registration:

-   Invoices showing purchases of FINISHED brand name goods in the cycling or fitness industry made within the last six months. Invoices for samples/blanks do not qualify as finished goods.

-   Business Card that includes your current company address.

-   Business License indicating you are a retail business (Please DO NOT send a tax ID or a seller’s permit, these are not acceptable credentials).

-   Letter of intent from an attorney or bank on official letterhead stating the intent to start a new retail business in the cycling/fitness industry (this is acceptable for new businesses only).

• For retail employees simply send a copy of your business card that includes your company address and phone number and a paystub dated within the last six months.

• For Independent Reps please send a commission check dated within the last six months and a business card that includes your current company address.

At any time if you have issues registering we are here to help. Simply contact us at interbike@nielsen.com and we will help you out.

To register now for Interbike 2013 and OutDoor Demo click HERE.

The 2013 IBD Summit took place just last month in Monterey, CA over a two day period at the Portola Hotel and Conference Center.

The passage of the new federal transportation law means there’s no need for the 2013 National Bike Summit, right? Wrong.

This year the National Bike Summit — hosted by the League of American Bicyclists in Washington, D.C. from March 4-6 — is more important than ever. Bringing together more than 800 advocates, government staff and cycling enthusiasts, the Summit is a critical opportunity to tell Congress that “Bicycling Means Business” — and start building a bike-friendly agenda for the next transportation bill.

“Bicycling could be perched on the precipice yet again,” says League President, Andy Clarke. “With the debt ceiling coming due in February, the fiscal cliff deal expiring March 1 and the current budget expiring on March 31, Congress will be looking for any and all possible budget cuts. Based on this past year, we can expect bicycling and walking programs to be targeted for elimination. Not an equitable or proportional cut along with other programs — total elimination.”

But that’s just one of the top 8 reasons to attend the National Bike Summit…

1. Save Cycling from the Fiscal Cliff

Since 2009, there have been at least six (unsuccessful) attempts during the budget process to either weaken programs that fund biking, or eliminate funding outright. In coming months and weeks, that funding could face further attacks – and Congress needs to know that bicycling has a strong, vocal constituency nationwide. Read more.

2. Make a Powerful First Impression on the New Congress

There are 95 new members of Congress, providing a critical opportunity to educate leaders about the importance of bicycling and set the tone for the legislative session. Summit-goers will be meeting with both the new and longtime legislators to let them know we mean business. Read more.

3. Fight for our Fair Share of Funding

Bicyclists and pedestrians account for 15.6 percent of fatalities, 12 percent of all trips and yet just 1.5 percent of transportation funds are spent on the two modes — and virtually none of that goes to education. Why is it that traffic safety seems to be improving for people inside cars, but decreasing for cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists? Read more.

4. Don’t Let Bike Opponents Think They’ve Won

The new transportation bill passed by Congress dramatically cut dedicated funding for biking and walking. The Summit will unite bicyclists and show opponents on Capitol Hill that people who ride will continue to stand and advocate for better biking nationwide. Read more.

5. Meet the Leaders in Bike Industry and Advocacy

From industry leaders to local advocates, government employees to shop owners, the Summit is an opportunity for bicyclists to meet and learn from the diverse range of folks who make up the bike movement. Read more.

6. Create the Agenda for the Next Transportation Bill

The Summit will gain insight directly from advocates to build an agenda for the next federal transportation bill. From equity to transit, the Summit will ensure work here in Washington best reflects the needs of the entire bicycling community. Read more.

7. Making the Bike Community’s Voices Heard

The League prepare first-timers and veterans alike to make the case for bicycling in the halls of Congress, with workshops, speeches and insider tips. Plus, we’ll walk over to Capitol Hill to talk one-on-one with legislators to tell them why bicycling is important.Read more.

8. See the Face of the New League

The League has a new commitment in 2013: To change the face of cycling and work strategically to ensure that the diversity of people on bikes mirrors the diversity of the American population. Attend the National Women’s Bicycling Forum – and be the first to see the League’s new look! Read more.

Web version click here

Photos from our Electric Bike Media Event

Here are a few images from our Electric Bike Media Event held yesterday at the Terranea Resort. We had a great turnout of both media and dealers to come and test out new products from our sponsors which included  SRAM, Prodeco, Currie Technologies, Pete’s Electric Bikes, Easy Motion, Pedego, Electra, Serfas, Solex, and Kranked.

Happy Valentines Day

How stoked is this guy

I came across this image online and figured it might be something that inspires people to get out on their bikes a little more.

Andria Klinger
949-226-5745
Andria.Klinger@nielsen.com

Brian McKavic
949-226-5741
Brian.Mckavic@nielsen.com

Leigh Donovan
949-226-5758
Leigh.Donovan@nielsen.com

Yesterday Troy Lee Designs held a media event at their Laguna Beach design studio/ retail store to introduce their new mountain bike helmet. I had never been in the store prior to this visit and was quite impressed by history of bikes both motor and mountain adorning the shop walls. With quite a few members of the media there to hear the announcement the press conference kicked off Craig “Stickman” Glaspell, Troy Lee’s Sports Marketing Director welcoming the crowd and introducing their team of designers who worked tirelessly on this new helmet who went into great detail from R & D to pointing out the custom accents that make this a Troy Lee helmet.

The shop was filled with Troy Lee’s designers and team riders like Eliot Jackson, Brandon Semenuk, Logan Peat and Aaron Gwin. The helmet will not be able to be shown to the public outside of those lucky few of us who were at heartbeat of Troy Lee Design yesterday morning for about a week but keep an eye and ear out to catch a glimpse of this beauty.

Eliot Jackson, Leigh Donovan and Arron Gwin right before the show was about to begin.

MB Sports Marketing Director Craig “Stickman” Glaspell kicking the press conference off.

Logan Peat, Scott from Red Bull Media House, Cam Zink and Derek from Bike listen to the news.

Jeremy K , Head Designer for MB Clothing at Troy Lee

Troy Lee himself

McQueen

Brandon Semenuk, Leigh Donovan and Logan Peat.

Cam Zink and Derek from Bike

Stickman talking with the President of The Red Bull Media House Scott Bradfield.

Aaron Gwin, Eliot Jackson and Grizz talk theory after the press conference.

Mike the helmet fit specialist for Troy Lee discussing the new product with Interbikes Justin Gottlieb and Nicole from Bicycle Retailer.

Logan Peat getting his bike ready to go.

The Hog right past the front door.

Eliot Jackson and Interbikes Leigh Donovan

Snow, ice, and temperatures hovering at 5 degrees!

None of the harsh elements held back more than 60 bike riders from creating some amazingly authentic zombie costumes and hopping on their studded or fat tire bikes to join Green Star’s inaugural Zombie Apocalypse Winter Bike Ride on December 15, 2012, in Anchorage, Alaska.

It was a mellow five-mile group bike ride – after all, zombies don’t move very fast — through Anchorage’s Spenard and Turnagain neighborhoods, on road, trails, and even across a frozen lagoon. In recent years, an increasing number of people have been riding their bikes in winter, whether in bike races on single-track trails or to commute to work, creating a new snow-sport sub-culture in Anchorage.

Seeing this trend, staff at Green Star, a nonprofit organization based in Anchorage that helps organize Bike to Work Day events in Anchorage, thought it would be fun to organize a winter bike ride to celebrate and generate additional enthusiasm for winter bike commuting with an emphasis on safety.

In addition to mountain bikes, hybrids and cyclocross bikes, zombies brought out the very popular fat tire bikes including 9:ZERO:7’s, Fatback’s, Salsa’s Mukluk, and Surly Pugsley’s.

The zombies met at a local Anchorage cafe for coffee and treats in the morning. Then the group took to the streets and trails decked out in true zombie fashion…blood, detached limbs, ripped clothes (with a puff jacket underneath most costumes). Halfway through the bike ride, the group rode across a frozen lagoon popular with ice skaters, racing around the rink with one very surprised ice skater!

The ride wrapped up at a local restaurant and pub where bike valet parking for zombie bike riders was available thanks to Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage (BCA).

Overall, the ride was successful with a strong turnout despite frigid temperatures and somewhat soft snow conditions.

The Zombie Apocalypse Winter Bike Ride was only possible through the support of our sponsors: Middle Way Cafe, Tap Root Public House, Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage (BCA), Arctic Bicycle Club, Chain Reaction, The Bicycle Shop, Paramount Cycles, R.E.I. – Anchorage, Off the Chain, Alaska Injury Prevention, Screamin’Yeti Designs, Solstice Advertising, Midnight Sun Brewing Company, and American Diabetes Association.

(Written by Christina Grande, Green Star’s Community Outreach and Communications Coordinator)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Interbike to Provide Limited Access to Bike Retailers’ Best Customers

New Initiative called Interbike by Invitation Designed To Drive Sales Activity Through Retail Channel

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. – November 26, 2012 – Interbike, the largest bicycle industry trade show in North America, today announced the launch of a new initiative to allow select consumers into the 2013 event for the 1st time in the show’s history. The new program’s primary intent is to showcase the industry to some of its most loyal enthusiast customers. Interbike’s goal is to help drive retail activity specifically through dealers that attend the show and to increase the value equation for exhibiting companies. The limited-access initiative, called Interbike by Invitation, will allow registered retailers to invite their best and most loyal customers to attend. These special invitees will be treated as special guests of that shop and will be afforded preferential treatment at the show. Interbike will not be adding a day for this initiative, and instead will be extending Friday’s hours and allowing access to both consumers and retailers on Friday, September 20, 2013. The show will now be extended to 6:00 pm on Friday instead of the previous 4:00 pm.

“The mystique of Interbike from a consumer perspective has been, and still is, very strong,” said Pat Hus, Managing Director for Interbike. “We believe we’ve found the proper way to include the consumer, by showcasing the industry through retailers who attend Interbike. Interbike by Invitation is not designed to open the flood gates to consumers seeking stickers and SWAG – but rather as an opportunity for retailers to invite their best consumers with the goal of leaving the show with the invitee feeling closer to both the retailer and the brands they love. If we’re successful with the model we’ve outlined we will have created a bonding exercise for retailers and suppliers like our industry has never seen before. Ultimately it will be measurable as demand for 2014 product is driven into the retailers.”

Retailers that register for Interbike will be allotted a limited number of consumer access invitations based on their geography. Consumers invited by retailers will be able to register on the Interbike website beginning in April, 2013. There will be a $50 entry fee for all invitees, which will include special access and a host of other benefits planned for the event.

There will be no sales transactions allowed on the show floor as part of this addition to Friday. In fact, Interbike will be increasing security significantly throughout the show floor and will be adding controls that will not allow customers to exit the show carrying any product. “This is a big deal and we have to mandate the no transaction policy in order for this to be a success” said Hus. “Our intent is to create consumer demand for new products and generate retail activity in stores after the event. In this scenario everybody wins.”

Interbike by Invitation was also created as a means of strengthening the bond between retailer and customer. Kevin O’Connor, owner of Gear West Bike & Triathlon in Long Lake, MN applauds the program.

“Interbike should have implemented a consumer initiative years ago,” he said. “It’s a natural next step as a way that Interbike can allow the end consumer to join the retailer as part of the process, and is the proper way to launch the program, in my opinion.”

A How-To Guide for retailers and exhibitors is planned for early Spring distribution. Interbike will be creating a guide that will include turn-key ideas and suggested tools to maximize the effectiveness of the process.

Exhibitors will have the opportunity to show off their latest wares to a passionate cycling audience who crave the latest and greatest in bicycle technology and fashion. Aside from vetting the program with many dealers over the course of the last 6 months, and gaining support from the NBDA, the Interbike team consulted and secured universal support with more than 100 of its top exhibitors on the initiative as well.

“SRAM is very excited about the addition of a consumer component for Interbike,” said David Zimberoff, Global Marketing Director at SRAM. “We’ll be developing consumer specific promotions to welcome and engage them that does not compete with any retailer activity. We’ll be focused on pushing consumers to retail so it should be a win-win for everyone.”

More information on Interbike by Invitation can be found at Interbike.

# # #

About Interbike

The Interbike International Bicycle Expo and OutDoor Demo are the bicycle industry’s leading business-to-business events bringing together top manufacturers, retailers, industry advocates and media to conduct the business of cycling. Interbike is a business unit of Nielsen Expositions [a division of The Nielsen Company (Nielsen: NYSE: NIEL)], the parent company of the Outdoor Retailer (OR) and Health+Fitness Business expos. Nielsen Expositions is a full-service trade show company that creates market events and produces high quality expos and educational conferences. Interbike (www.interbike.com) gathers more than 1,200 cycling-related brands and more than 25,000 total attendees annually.

Interbike will begin at OutDoor Demo from September 16-17, 2013, in Boulder City, NV, followed by the Interbike Expo from September 18-20, 2013, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Justin Gottlieb
Communications and PR Director
949-226-5754
justin.gottlieb@nielsen.com