LAS VEGAS (BRAIN) — About 4 percent more retail locations were represented at last week's Interbike show, while retail buyer attendance was down slightly, show organizers announced Wednesday.
"Exhibitors, retailers and media expressed positive commentary, noting that feedback from the show floor and at OutDoor Demo was favorable and complimentary," the show said.
Organizers said they expected a minor dip in retailer attendance after eliminating the Health+Fitness Business Expo. The reduction in the number of attendees per store reflects a trend across many tradeshows, they said.
The overall footprint at Interbike was approximately 328,000 square feet, representing the largest show to date. Friday's Customer Appreciation Day netted almost the exact same attendance as the 2014 edition, but an increase in retailer attendance for that day helped bolster overall traffic. Attendance at the OutDoor Demo was flat.
Organizers will release more attendance details in mid-October.
"As Interbike continues to evolve as a show, I'm so grateful for the support our industry showed this year, as the passion and excitement from our tribe was stronger than ever," said Pat Hus, the vice president of Interbike. "When racks are empty at OutDoor Demo and booths are packed during Interbike, I know the magic of the show (the connection and interaction between retailer and exhibitor) is happening. The fact that we were able to increase the number of stores that attended this year gives me confidence that we are on the right track. We also heard from some non-participating brands that plan to be back at the show for next year based on what they saw and heard in the aisles – this is great news," Hus added.
Next year's show will return to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center beginning with OutDoor Demo in Boulder City, Nev., Sept. 19-20, 2016, followed by the Interbike Expo Sept. 21-23, 2016.
