BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Lance Camisasca, founder of Lifeboat Solutions, said:
"With 2009 threatening to be an economic firestorm, bicycle industry companies are tightening their belts and seeking the most strategic ways to win over consumers. A well-placed story in a major magazine or newspaper is priceless, but can seem like a pipe dream to many companies that lack the time and resources to make quality connections with journalists."
The Press Camp will be held June 23-25, 2009, in Sun Valley, Idaho.
"This will provide a venue where bike companies can present their products to a captive audience of top journalists from throughout the country and overseas," said Camisasca.
“We’re targeting a small group of twenty bike industry companies and twenty members of the media, ensuring everyone gets quality face time with journalists.
"It’s going to be an excellent value for companies that want more media exposure but have trouble finding time to do outreach. And journalists will love it, too, because they’ll be able to efficiently research multiple brands in one trip.”
Scott Montgomery, general manager of SCOTT USA, agrees.
“When I heard the idea for this event, I was sold immediately,” said Montgomery.
“We’re doing well at SCOTT, but we still lust to capture top-tier national attention.”
Lifeboat Solutions will bring journalists from leading publications and websites to the event. The company has had strong communications and interest from mainstream media such as Men’s Journal, Wired Magazine, and Outside Magazine; correspondents from prominent U.S. newspapers, including USA Today, The Boston Globe, and Los Angeles Times; editors from industry outlets such as Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, VeloNews, Dirt Rag, and cyclingnews.com; as well as overseas trade magazines such as BikeBiz.
“Lifeboat Solutions’ Press Camp is a fantastic solution that will enable us to hit multiple birds with one stone,” said Ben Delaney of VeloNews.
“Press Camp will combine the positive network and researching opportunities of a trade show without all the other noise and hassle. Plus, it’s in Sun Valley.”
Ben Hewitt, a writer for Men’s Journal and Outside Magazine, is also enthused.
“For the independent journalist or general interest editor, the cycling industry can feel like a tough nut to crack,” said Hewitt.
“Press Camp will provide me the opportunity to engage with the people behind the products on an intensive, personal level, without the stress and expense of attending a dozen different media events.”
Press Camp 2009 will be held at Idaho’s classic Sun Valley Resort, a destination surrounded by world-class trails and roads that are perfect for product testing. The three-day event includes time for demos, one-on-one classroom sessions, product displays, and networking.
“After years in the bike industry, I’ve recognized a real need for an event like this,” said Camisasca, a veteran of organising Interbike.
“Media outreach by bike, component, and accessory manufacturers is becoming essential to being competitive in the marketplace.
