BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
With five months still to go until the second running of Bike PressCamp, organiser Lance Camisasca of Lifeboat Events says the event is nearly sold out.
Scheduled for June 22-25 in Deer Valley, Utah, PressCamp brings together journalists and bicycle industry companies in an "intimate setting" to review new products. The schedule includes time for demos, one-on-one classroom sessions, product displays, and networking. There’s a video short of the 2009 event on YouTube.
At this year’s event there will 22 editors representing 30 publications and websites, including bike press as well as mainstream titles such as The New York Times, USA Today, Men’s Journal, Los Angeles Times, Wired, Outside, and Mountain Sports + Living.
Yesterday on Lifeboat Events’ Twitter feed, one of the latest titles to confirm attendance was announced: "Sports Illustrated just signed up for PressCamp!"
So far 17 brands have registered for PressCamp 2010, including 12 of those from last year: Blue Competition Cycles, BMC Racing, Cannondale, Clif, Gore Bike Wear, GT Bicycles, Lazer Helmets, Mongoose, Pedro’s, Saris Cycle Racks, Schwinn, and Scott USA.
First timers include Dahon, Ridley, Rudy Project, and WTB. CamelBak, which participated as a gear provider in 2009, has stepped up to being a full exhibitor in 2010.
Markus Eggimann, brand manager for BMC Racing, said:
"We found PressCamp to be an outstanding return on investment. Our 2010 products received unprecedented editorial coverage after the event, and we developed excellent contacts with journalists. By returning this year, we hope to nurture these relationships and continue to broaden our brand’s exposure."
Paul Craig, founder of Rudy Project, said: "This year we’re celebrating our 25th anniversary and introducing the best helmets and sunglasses we’ve ever made, so it’s a no-brainer for us to participate with the elite editors at PressCamp."
Lifeboat Events conceived of PressCamp to provide small and medium-sized brands with big-brand exposure in advance of the Autumn trade shows. In addition to PressCamp, Lifeboat Events is also hosting DealerCamp in 2010 to create a similar opportunity for suppliers and retailers.
