Interbike, the largest bicycle industry trade show in North America, has announced steps to strengthen its relationship in 2013 with Triathlon Business International (TBI), the leading coalition of industry leaders dedicated to promoting the sport and the business of triathlon.
Both companies agreed on several action items to help promote the sport of triathlon at the IBD Summit, the TBI Conference and Interbike 2013. The joint initiatives include expanding the successful 2012 Triathlon Pavilion at Interbike 2013, partnering on Interbike’s 2013 IBD Summit and Interbike’s sponsorship of the 2013 TBI annual conference taking place on 10-12 February in San Diego.
The inaugural, and highly successful, Triathlon Pavilion at Interbike 2012 was a close collaboration with Interbike management and TBI leadership. The dedicated area was home to more than 60 triathlon-focused booths and served as a hub for exhibitors and retailers to gather to network and conduct business.
TBI coordinated seminars on a numerous subjects and offered extensive networking opportunities for its members and prospective new members. Based on the success of the event in 2012, TBI and Interbike are doubling the footprint of the pavilion for 2013 and plan to offer even more amenities and opportunities for companies wishing to connect with the triathlon target audience.
“The Triathlon Pavilion was very well received by both retailers and exhibitors at the last show,” said Pat Hus, Interbike’s Managing Director. “We had a number of companies wanting in to the area late in the game and we just ran out of space. On top of that, we already have a number of new companies that are requesting to participate in this area that weren’t even at the show last year.”
Interbike’s 2013 IBD Summit will also profile the partnership through a dedicated educational session that will focus on educating bicycle dealers on how best to serve the triathlete and grow business opportunities in this lucrative category. Jack Caress, President of TBI, will moderate a dynamic panel of TBI board members that include Dan Empfield, Editor of Slowtwitch.com, Skip McDowell, Owner of Nytro Multisport and Dave Alberga, CEO of Active.com.
“TBI’s mission is to promote the sport of triathlon – and Interbike helps us do that,” said Caress. “Interbike and the IBD Summit draw the best retailers and manufacturers in North America and beyond, and we feel that there are no better events to connect with the supply and retail side of triathlon.”
Interbike is also an official sponsor of the 2013 Triathlon Business International Conference, which is the premier gathering of leaders of the triathlon business community. Taking place in February 2013 in San Diego, the event is titled, ‘Mining Triathlon Gold’, and will feature networking, a sponsor expo and education sessions.
Notable speakers include Olympians Gary Hall Jr and Andy Potts, Cervélo co-founder Phil White, USA Triathlon (USAT) CEO Rob Urbach, Giant USA General Manager Elisa Walk, and Michellie Jones, professional triathlete and world champion, plus eight groups of expert panellists.
www.interbike.com
www.triathlonbusinessintl.com
