David Hart

I would think that a lot of racers race out of shop. I think if staffing
was a problem that the solution could be that racers could represents these
shops and that could be a volunteer thing. I think with the careful
planning that the show wouldn't hurt shops. Maybe one employee could work
along some non empoyee racer so that the other staff could tend to the bike
shop. I have been part of a trade show (not cycling related) but with so
many interested people, it can happen and be fruitful for shops. I would
not have a problem working the show for my bike shop. I think it would be a
great experience.

Let's see what happens in the months to come.

David Hart
CRV
River City Bicycles

On 10/31/06, Keith A. Prior wrote:
>
> So!
>
> Now that Eurobike may put Portland on the 'world map' as a major cycling
> city maybe some wealthy
> German or Belgian person will build us an indoor track! Hmmm...The
> Portland Six has a nice ring to it!!
>
> -K
>
>
>
>
>
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Keith A. Prior

So!

Now that Eurobike may put Portland on the 'world map' as a major cycling
city maybe some wealthy
German or Belgian person will build us an indoor track! Hmmm...The Portland
Six has a nice ring to it!!

-K

Evan MacKenzie

If a Bike Show/Trade Show similar to Eurobike were to be put on here,
chance are it would be open to both the industry and the public. Most of
the European shows are open to the public for at least part of their
schedule, but will reserve the first day or two for trade people only. I
went to the Milan Show a couple years ago and most of the people I saw
attending the show were not trade people (with badges).

While this all sounds cool, we have to put it in perspective. It is
tremendously expensive to put together and staff a booth for a trade
show. I've been to Interbike as an exhibitor and it is a lot of work.
It's also very expensive for a shop owner to take time out from the
store to go to a trade show; more so if you are bringing a bunch of
employees. Many shops can't attend because they simply don't have enough
staff to keep the doors open. Not every company will be excited about
going to a second, unproven show in an unknown venue. There used to be
two bike trade shows in the U.S., and if you have to budget your dollars
either as an exhibitor/vendor or attendee, you want to go where your
dollars will go the furthest. That's why now we only have Interbike.

On a positive note, if we are going to get people from all over the
country, and the world, to travel to a bicycle event in the country, why
not show them the best example we have to offer (Portland) instead of
the worst (Las Vegas)? It only seems right to have a bike show in a
place that encourages, rather than discourages, bikes as transportation.

-Evan