When industry retailers and suppliers need to come together as business partners, it is often hard for them to make the right connections without ever experiencing the product. Major companies can afford to host dealer camps for each of their brands, where current and potential retailers can go to learn about the new products and technology offered by the brand, but smaller companies often don’t have the resources to host events like this, and lose out on potential important industry connections.
One group is looking to change this, and could change how the smaller industry players connect with potential customers. Lifeboat Events will host the Bike DealerCamp from July 29-31 in Park City, Utah, where small to medium sized companies are invited to show off their newest gear to retailers from all over the country, in an effort to make connections in the bicycle business that may have previously been unavailable.
Lifeboat says the program will provide a smaller, more intimate environment than the large trade shows for retailers and suppliers, and the group will work with suppliers to develop a targeted list of retailers to receive subsidized travel and lodging expenses to attend the event.
“The Retailer Subsidy Program makes DealerCamp unique among trade events in our industry,†said Lance Camisasca, president of Lifeboat Events. “We’re creating something akin to the private dealer events that the largest industry players host for their brands. With the DealerCamp model, exhibitors share in the cost of subsidized retailers and can provide lists of targeted dealers.â€Â
Initial reports of turnout to DealerCamp are very good; companies like Ibis, Pedro’s, Scott USA and WTB have indicated they will attend DealerCamp, which aims to include 35 manufacturers and suppliers in all.
More information on DealerCamp can be found here, including a FAQ and information on how to sign up to attend.
