BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
"With the economy not looking any better and trade shows across the country cancelling, the North American Handmade Bicycle Show is holding firm," said show spokesman Paul Skilbeck.
The fifth annual NAHBS takes place 27th February-1st March at the Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis. 115 are booked in to the show.
"While this is not the record 150 set in Portland in 2008, it is up from to the 2007 figure of 105 at San Jose, in a good economy," said Skilbeck.
"Given the concentration of builders in California (in 2008, 42 exhibitors came from California), show exhibitor attendance is very strong in light of the fact that a significant number of California builders have decided to skip the Indianapolis show, and many of the Portland builders are too small to travel this far.
Show founder and director, Don Walker, said:
“Some of the builders couldn’t see a market in the Midwest, others said they are ready to skip a year. I respect everybody’s reasons, but I still say all those that aren’t at the Indy show will miss out, I think a lot of people at the coastal fringes underestimate the economic power of the Midwest."
Walker said some small towns in the region will not have any bike shops open on at least one of the show days, because all staff will be at the NAHBS.
Industry rep Pat Mahoney, who works in the Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana markets, said: “I’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback. Everybody says they’ll be at the show. I could see that some of the smaller shops would have to close if they’re all going to the show.”
The North American Handmade Bicycle Show moves from city to city each year.
