Home from Interbike - Today is the last day (Friday) but historically, I can get down what I need to do in 2-days at the show.
It was patently obvious that the show was considerably smaller than in years past - I'd guess maybe half the size it was even two years ago. THIS was the #1 topic of conversation, and second - where is the bike/tri business going?
I will fully admit that the original utility of a trade show like Interbike - putting sellers and buyers together in the same room in an industry has been greatly diminished. But success in sales, in business etc, particular in the world of B2B business . . has always been more about the relationships, than about the transactions. In that regard, a trade show like Interbike still has great value. Consider the following two pictures and the key players in them!
Left to Right - Gerard Vroomen ( Co-Founder Cervelo, Co-Owner 3T), Cid Cardoso Jnr, (Founder of Inside-Out-Sports - one of the first ever true Tri-Shops ), Dan Empfield (Founder of QR and Slowtwitch), Dan Rishworth (Founder of Endurosport - first Triathlon Shop in Canada, and first Cervelo dealer!)
Dan Empfield and Phil White (Co-Founder of Cervelo)
The knowledge and leadership of all of the men above about the bike and triathlon business, is extraordinary. The number of "firsts" is unbelievable. Tapping into all this all, via formal or informal conversation is where the REAL value is in a trade show such as Interbike, where selling and buying has been diminished, and knowledge, networking and connecting has become the currency of value!
For me this has ALWAYS been what a trade show like Interbike is about - not the flashy new gear, the swag handed out, or transactions/orders made- it's about the relationships - both new ones forged, and older ones reinforced or leveraged.
Many were saying Interbike was a bit of a waste of time this year. On the contrary, I found it to have been one of the best and most productive ones I have been to in recent years! :)
Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog
It was patently obvious that the show was considerably smaller than in years past - I'd guess maybe half the size it was even two years ago. THIS was the #1 topic of conversation, and second - where is the bike/tri business going?
I will fully admit that the original utility of a trade show like Interbike - putting sellers and buyers together in the same room in an industry has been greatly diminished. But success in sales, in business etc, particular in the world of B2B business . . has always been more about the relationships, than about the transactions. In that regard, a trade show like Interbike still has great value. Consider the following two pictures and the key players in them!
Left to Right - Gerard Vroomen ( Co-Founder Cervelo, Co-Owner 3T), Cid Cardoso Jnr, (Founder of Inside-Out-Sports - one of the first ever true Tri-Shops ), Dan Empfield (Founder of QR and Slowtwitch), Dan Rishworth (Founder of Endurosport - first Triathlon Shop in Canada, and first Cervelo dealer!)
Dan Empfield and Phil White (Co-Founder of Cervelo)
The knowledge and leadership of all of the men above about the bike and triathlon business, is extraordinary. The number of "firsts" is unbelievable. Tapping into all this all, via formal or informal conversation is where the REAL value is in a trade show such as Interbike, where selling and buying has been diminished, and knowledge, networking and connecting has become the currency of value!
For me this has ALWAYS been what a trade show like Interbike is about - not the flashy new gear, the swag handed out, or transactions/orders made- it's about the relationships - both new ones forged, and older ones reinforced or leveraged.
Many were saying Interbike was a bit of a waste of time this year. On the contrary, I found it to have been one of the best and most productive ones I have been to in recent years! :)
Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog