Taiwan’s cycle industry has dominated global bicycle production for many years and has become one of the world’s preeminent R&D centres for mid- to high-end bicycles. Two major cycling events dominate the calendar in Taiwan.
The Taipei Cycle Show, Taipei CYCLE, is Asia’s largest cycling extravaganza and one of the top four most popular bike shows in the world. Organized by TAITRA, Taipei CYCLE heads into its 25th edition in 2012 and is open to the public. Taichung Bike Week (TBW), on the other hand, is solely for OEM bicycle component producers and their high-end brand customers.
As a private, industry-only gathering, TBW offers an informal atmosphere and is quickly becoming the place for OEM managers to do business. The 2011 event has run from Tuesday to Friday of this week, 29 November – 2 December; and TBW just keeps on growing. This year’s exhibitor count represents a 20% growth on 2010, as more managers and suppliers realize that the OEM event provides an accessible and affordable opportunity to increase their international market presence.
To accommodate the increase in participants, TBW event organizers have worked hard to ensure that all the major participating hotels provide comparable service and rates for visitors and exhibitors. The organizers have also arranged for pubs to stay open late to provide networking, and drinking, opportunities for show attendees!
This year’s event has also been updated with a number of changes. Registration information is now fully online, alongside a convenient location map and floor plans for each exhibition area. One of the most welcome changes is Ride On’s move to the centrally-located Hotel One.
The 2011 show also marks TBW’s fourth year of partnership with the Taichung City government. Thanks to the generous contributions of Pro-Lite, FSA, Colmax, First Components and Wheel Giant, the city has expanded its services to producing a buyers’ guide, providing a free shuttle service, hosting a welcoming reception dinner, developing a test-ride route, and publishing a daily Show Express covering activities in all exhibition fields.
Commenting on the Taichung Bike Week event, Mayor of Taichung Jason Hu is reported to have said, “As Mayor of Taichung, I would like to thank all product managers and OEM suppliers for taking part in TBW. The organizers’ hard work, combined with the support and participation of all participants, have helped make TBW one of the most important events in the international bicycle industry calendar.”
