Events, Bonuses and Things To Do for Bike Shop Owners, Employees

A couple things targeted at bike shop owners and employees have come through our email boxes lately, so if you’re in the LBS biz, here are a few points of interest:

1. Lifeboat’s DealerCamp is establishing an industry advisory committee to help improve and guide future events.  DealerCamp is a an outdoor demo and expo for retailers and suppliers that provides a less-crowded (ie. more intimate, better face time) environment than the mega tradeshows.  Now, they’re looking for select folks to provide input on how to make the event better.

2. Focus Bicycles has partnered with 3point5.com and ProMotive.com to provide online training for Focus dealers, and employees can learn to earn discounts and goods.

Full press releases and links for both of these after the break…

FOCUS BIKES: FOCUS Bicycle retailers are poised to benefit from a new online training product aimed at improving conversations on the sales floor and putting more FOCUS bikes into the hands of the U.S.-based sales force.

The free training, which covers FOCUS innovation, technology and the latest product lines, also streamlines the FOCUS employee purchase program, offering deep bike discounts to associates who complete “Edu-Game” quizzes testing their knowledge.

FOCUS contracted with Salt Lake City-based 3point5.com to build the training site, which builds rich media training sites for the Bike, Outdoor, Hunt/Fish, Team Sports, Snowsports, Action Sports, Footwear and other industries.

“3point5.com quickly arms our sales force with updatable, consistent information which they can use instantly on the sales floor,” said Chris McLaren, Sales Manager for FOCUS Bicycles USA. “It’s also available 24/7, which gives employees more flexibility – whether they’re learning about our mountain bike technologies or the latest FOCUS performance road bike line.”

In addition to the 3point5.com training site, FOCUS also will launch a Web site on ProMotive.com, a sister site of 3point5.com. ProMotive.com gathers groups of qualified sales influencers and offers online discounts, seeding products
with high-profile users.

FOCUS is a good fit with 3point5.com’s bike training program, said CEO Duncan Robins. “Proven brands like FOCUS really fit in well with our training model,” Robins said. “FOCUS is a proven European brand that’s gaining momentum in the U.S. It was the ideal time to launch online training to boost those ongoing efforts.

—————-

DEALER CAMP: Lifeboat Events has announced that it is forming an advisory board–comprised of nine bicycle suppliers and three retailers–to ensure that DealerCampâ„¢ best serves the industry. An innovative outdoor demo and expo event for bicycle suppliers and retailers, DealerCamp debuts this year July 29-31 at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah.

The nine companies on the advisory board are Advanced Sports International, BH/Pivot, BionX, Ibis Cycles, Quality Bicycle Products, SCOTT USA, Shimano, SRAM and WTB. Lifeboat Events also plans to invite three retailers who attend DealerCamp 2010 to serve on the committee, which will provide guidance on key issues such as DealerCamp’s timing, location, features and ways it can maximize the return on investment for both suppliers and retailers.

“Here at SRAM, we love getting in front of dealers to train and educate them on our new product lines. DealerCamp provides the perfect outlet for us to engage and activate the nation’s most influential shops,” said David Zimberoff, global marketing director for SRAM. “As part of the advisory board for future DealerCamp events, we look forward to serving the needs of dealers to make the most efficient use of their time.”

Lance Camisasca, president of Lifeboat Events, said his group’s fundamental goal is to cater to the needs of the industry. “We’re creating an advisory board of leading industry companies so we can gather diverse, valuable feedback on DealerCamp,” said Camisasca. “This way we’ll be able to create the most effective event and adapt as the industry evolves.”

DealerCamp is an intimate expo and demo event where suppliers and retailers can enjoy quality interactions while testing the latest equipment on epic roads and trails. The 2010 event already has nearly 100 retail businesses registered, as well as 29 exhibiting brands–Avid, BH Bikes, BionX, BMC Racing, Breezer, Civia, Crankbrothers, Freedom by WTB, Fulcrum, Fuji, GOREâ„¢ RideOn© Cable Systems, Ibis Cycles, Kestrel, Lazer Helmets, Marin, Nuvinci, Oval, Pivot Cycles, PRO Components, Ridley, RockShox, Salsa, SCOTT USA, SE Bikes, Shimano, SRAM, Truvativ, WTB and Zipp.

Many other companies have expressed strong interest in showcasing their 2011 products at the event. Exhibitors are enthusiastic about DealerCamp’s manageable format, prime location and mid-summer timing.

All qualified retailers are welcome to attend DealerCamp. There is no entry fee. In addition, 100 retail businesses, selected with exhibitor input, are receiving free lodging and a travel subsidy to attend the event.

For more information, including details about exhibitor pricing, lodging, the Retailer Subsidy Program, registered retailers and the list of subsidized retail businesses, visit bikedealercamp.com. To register for the event, visit surveymonkey.com/dealercamp.