Triathlon Business International (TBI) will honour Valerie Silk and Richard Bryne at its 7th Annual Business Conference presented by ACTIVE Network in Dallas, Texas on 22-24 January 2017. Silk will be presented with the Ron Smith Award and Bryne with the Steve Hed Award for Innovation.
The Ron Smith Award, named after Ron Smith, one of triathlon’s earliest pioneers, recognizes a person in the multisport world who helps advance and promote the sport of triathlon, who is a true influencer and who exemplifies a passion for advancing and promoting the sport. Previous winners of the award include: Bob Babbitt (2016); Marisol Casado, President, International Triathlon Union (2015); Karen Aydelott and Luke McKenzie (2014); Jordan Rapp and Kathleen McCarthy Hearst/Julie Moss (2013); and Craig Alexander and Chrissie Wellington (2012).
The Steve Hed Award for Innovation is named after Steve Hed who was a master innovator in the field of bicycle aerodynamics. The award is given to a person, product or company demonstrating Hed’s ability to set multisport industry trends. His toroidal rim shape set a new standard for wheel aerodynamics; his wider rims changed the trajectory of the entire industry; his one-piece aero bars were revolutionary. The inaugural winner of this award was Zwift in 2016.
Many recognize and acknowledge Valerie Silk as the mother of the IRONMAN race. But everything about the race would have been entirely different had Silk refused the responsibility of handling the race after previous director Captain John Collins departed Hawaii to a new duty assignment. Silk was at a point in her life when she was looking for a new challenge, and having been tangentially involved with the race for several years, she accepted the role of race director with enthusiasm and determination.
Silk put into effect changes that would prove to be beneficial for IRONMAN race and for the sport of triathlon as a whole. Some of these changes included: moving to Kailua-Kona; instituting the hard shell bike helmet rule; changing the date from February to October; establishing qualifying races; going professional; instituting gear bags at transitions instead of allowing individual support teams on the course; and establishing the IronKids Triathlon Series.
Richard Bryne has spent the past 26 years focused on bicycle pedals and the way riders attach their feet to their bikes. Bryne created the X-Series lollipop-shaped pedals to address issues that he had with existing clipless designs. His design was patented in 1989, but none of the 22 companies Bryne contacted were interested in licensing his invention.
So, Bryne and his wife, Sharon Worman, founded Speedplay in 1991. To assist with the start-up costs to fund Speedplay, the initial production run of 100 pairs of X pedals was sold directly to interested consumers who had contacted Bryne before Speedplay was established. The company found its first success in the triathlon market, where competitors were open to new technology and keenly interested in products that were lighter and faster.
Speedplay later gained traction in the pro cycling world with its first pro team sponsorship deal in 1997. Bryne’s design was a double-sided pedal for simpler, quicker, safer engagement and featured retention security that was independent of engagement spring tension. The design included a true-locking mechanism that couldn’t be overcome by extreme pull-up forces, and provided knee-friendly, friction-free float. Speedplay pedals also offer improved clearance when cornering and are aerodynamic compared to other pedals.
2017 TBI Conference registration
A current conference schedule can be found on the TBI Conference webpage. Additional speaker and panel topics will be announced in the coming days. Current registration fees for the 7th annual TBI event are US$695 for current TBI members and US$795 for non-members. Registration includes all sessions, meals, the networking events and one ticket to the Ron Smith Awards celebration.
For the first time, TBI and USA Triathlon are collaborating to consecutively present their respective annual conferences. Once individuals register for the TBI Conference they can register for the USA Triathlon Symposium at a 25% discount. Sponsors of the 2017 TBI Conference include ACTIVE Network, the Dallas Sports Commission, Headsweats, Endurance Sportswire and Bicycle Retailer and Industry News (BRAIN). TBI Corporate Partners are Ashworth Awards, MPA Event Graphics and FinisherPix.
Registration rates for the 2017 Annual TBI Conference presented by ACTIVE Network:
- 10 December to 10 January 2017: US$695 for members / US$795 non-members
- 11 January and after: US$795 for members / US$895 non members
Companies interested in conference sponsorship or Expo space should contact feedback[at]triathlonbusinessintl.com. Conference details and online registration are available online.
