September 13/07 8:25 am - ExpoCycle Delivers More Than Just Buyers

Posted by Editor on 09/13/07
 

ExpoCycle Delivers More Than Just Buyers

Canada's bicycle trade show, ExpoCycle, ended on a high note Tuesday, as a packed room of suppliers and retailers attended a session to hear results from Bicycle Trade of Association Canada's (BTAC) sales data capture and advocacy programs.

"BTAC is very proud of the Data Capture Program, which is now delivering valuable statistics to the Canadian industry. The number of bike suppliers participating represents two-thirds of the Independent Bicycle Retailer (IBD) sector, and more have committed to coming on board for 2008," said Janet O'Connell, BTAC's Executive Director.

Attendees also heard from Sean Wheldrake, urban transportation planner with the City of Toronto, and Usman Valiante, director of cycling advocacy with BTAC.

Valiante said BTAC is partnering with the City on its Bike Month efforts. While the city of Toronto has a population of 2.6 million people, and Ontario is the biggest of all Canadian provinces, it has the least in terms of cycling infrastructure.

Valiante said he will be selling the idea of why government should support cycling, at a time when the province's ruling Liberal Party will propose waiving provincial sales tax on bikes and helmets as part of its platform for next month's general election.

Final show attendance figures were not available at the time of this release but, "We've counted over 800 stores," O'Connell said, predicting that final numbers will be on par with last year. "We've pleased to have the majority of the exhibit space for next year sold already," she added, "and our new retail membership program is delivering a tremendous increase in the number of retail members."

Over 400 people attended the outdoor demo at Ski Bromont on September 8th, which preceded the three-day ExpoCycle show. "Demo attendance is up this year. We had great weather and lots of bikes on hand for buyers to ride, which really helped. Being in Bromont is a major plus for us, since it is such awesome place to ride," O'Connell said.

Next year's ExpoCycle will be September 7-9 in Montreal, while the Outdoor Demo will take place September 6th.