What’s typically trade-only is now opening to the public for two days of bike demoing fun.
Interbike’s Outdoor Demo East will welcome non-industry (ie. anyone) to come try new bikes, gear and components on Saturday Oct. 10 and Sunday Oct. 11, 2009 at Roger Williams Park in Providence, R.I. The first two days of OutDoor Demo East, Thursday Oct. 8 and Friday Oct. 9, will be open to members of the cycling industry only.
“Last year’s inaugural OutDoor Demo East gathered dealers and manufacturers for product demos, business deals and networking. However, we recognize these groups are just two of the three pieces of the entire cycling community mix,” said Andy Tompkins, Interbike show director. “Opening the last two days of OutDoor Demo East for consumer participation is a great way to incorporate that final piece.”
In addition to two new consumer days for product demos, OutDoor Demo East is contracted with GSD Event Productions LLC, a New England-based promotional firm, to produce the Providence Cyclo-Cross Festival, a USA Cycling-sanctioned professional and amateur cyclo-cross race event.
“Years ago we recognized Roger Williams Park to be, perhaps, the finest cyclo-cross venue in America. Securing this date, this venue, the support of this fabulous city and this partnership with Interbike, gives us a unique opportunity to create a really spectacular event,” said Richard Fries, marketing-communications director for GSD Event Productions. “Get your cowbells ready; this will be fantastic.”
The OutDoor Demo East event is still intended to be an important trade event focused on the needs of Northeast and Mid-Atlantic retailers and/or additional staff unable to attend the Interbike International Expo, held in Las Vegas. To that end, the National Bicycle Dealer Association (NBDA) will again bring its popular retail education Super Seminars to the event.
“A wide variety of seminars are being planned, with topics including sales, marketing, management strategies and industry trends,” said Fred Clements, NBDA Executive Director. “Each year the NBDA strives to bring compelling content focused on retailer-specific needs aimed at improving the bottom-line of all bicycle retailers. We look forward to doing so again for East Coast dealers attending OutDoor Demo East.”
