BENTONVILLE, Ark. (June 11, 2026) – Bicycle shop owners, mechanics, national sales leaders, brand representatives, nonprofit advocates, and industry professionals from across the globe gathered in Bentonville, Arkansas, on June 11 for the 2026 Women in the Bicycle Industry (WIBI) Summit Central, an afternoon dedicated to connection, leadership, and celebrating the many pathways into the cycling industry.
Hosted by the National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA), the summit brought together women and gender-diverse professionals representing every corner of the industry, from independent bicycle retailers and global brands to advocacy organizations and technical service roles.
"It was inspiring to see so many women and gender-diverse professionals, from national sales leaders to advocates to mechanics, come together in one dedicated space," said Megan Schmidt, NBDA Programs Director and WIBI Lead. "Women aren't stepping into roles. We're defining them, creating opportunities, and shaping the future of the cycling industry."
A Full Afternoon of Connection and Conversation
The summit opened with inspiring remarks from Jessica Hill, Director of Sales at Aventon, who set a tone of connection, appreciation, and leadership grounded in the relationships that sustain the cycling industry.
Steph Allen, National Sales Manager at Giant Bicycle, shared a personal and compelling story of resilience and career growth, reflecting on her journey from bike shop and brand ambassador to becoming a national sales leader. Her message underscored the importance of perseverance, community, and the mentors and colleagues who help shape careers along the way.
Roundtable discussion Building Careers Across the Cycling Industry featured panelists Lexi Whalen of Club Ride, Amelia Neptune of the League of American Bicyclists, and Laura Montero of Bosch, who each shared distinct career journeys spanning brand, nonprofit, and technical roles. Their stories reinforced a shared theme: skills and experiences from many different industries can translate into meaningful careers in cycling.
The Bicycle Retailer Perspectives Panel featured Karen Talley Mead of Cardinal Bicycle, Kourtney Denne of Ron's Bike Shop, and Christina Petroski of Mojo Cycling, who discussed their career choice and the role of bike shops as community anchors.
Roni Ramos of We Are Trailblazers shared insight into her career as a bicycle service professional, discussing visibility, training and certification, and what a more inclusive service culture could look like.
Breakout conversations included a collaborative industry SWOT exercise designed to identify opportunities and challenges across the cycling ecosystem. The event concluded with a closing keynote from Melanie Fry, NBDA Membership Coordinator, who reflected on her personal journey in cycling and emphasized the role of encouragement and support in building careers across the industry.
To carry the WIBI Summit momentum forward, Schmidt introduced the new WIBI Local Organizer Guide, a resource designed to help individuals and organizations host their own gatherings and continue building community within their local cycling ecosystems. "When people are given space to connect and share openly, it creates lasting relationships and opens doors for growth and inviting more women into the cycling industry," Schmidt said. Since launching last June, WIBI has grown into a year-round initiative powered by the NBDA, offering virtual networking events, mentorship and career opportunities, and resources designed to recruit, connect, and support women and gender-diverse professionals throughout the bicycle industry. 2027 WIBI Summit dates to be announced soon.
The NBDA extends its gratitude to the sponsors who made the event possible: QBP • Mike's Bikes • Ikeono • ISU Marvin Insurance • Liv Cycling • Club Ride • JUNK Brands • Bentonville Bike Fest
About WIBI
The Women in the Bicycle Industry (WIBI) program is a free-to-join initiative, powered by the NBDA, to support, connect, and elevate women and gender-diverse professionals working across the cycling industry through events, mentorship, career opportunities, and community building.
About the NBDA
The National Bicycle Dealers Association is the premier trade association for specialty bicycle retailers, dedicated to supporting independent dealers through advocacy, education, and industry partnerships. The NBDA provides comprehensive resources including retailer education programs, profitability initiatives, advocacy efforts, and networking opportunities designed to strengthen the specialty bicycle retail sector across North America. The NBDA is a non-profit organization that strives to elevate the bicycle retail industry and empower dealers for long-term success. For more information about the NBDA and its initiatives, please visit www.nbda.com.
