Emerald Exposition said it will fold its Health+Fitness
Business Expo into Interbike following a steady decline in attendance that contributed to the shortfall in attendance at Interbike two weeks ago.
Emerald Expositions reported overall attendance at
Interbike was down slightly from 2013 due to the proximity of Euro Bike and
massive rain storms that delayed flights and closed Interstate 15 leading into
Las Vegas and a continued decline in attendance to the simultaneous but
separate Health+Fitness Business Expo (HFB).
The week kicked-off with some unsettling weather that made
for incredible riding conditions at ODD, but flight delays caused lower than
expected attendance on Day 1. The event rebounded on Day 2 under clear skies as
bike racks were empty most of the day and the trails were full of retailers and
media testing the latest products from Giant USA, SRAM, Prodeco, Marin, NUUN,
FSA and many more. Day 2 attendance was stronger than in most years, as police
had to direct drivers to park on the road leading to the event due to all
parking lots on-site being completely full. Total attendance for both days was
flat compared to 2013.
Declines in attendance at Health+Fitness Business Expo
accounted for a large part of the shortfall due to the three largest brands
opting out of this years event. The retail fitness industry has been in a
state of decline since 2008, and the number of retailers is lower than ever
before, Emerald Expositions noted in a release. Combine this with the fact that
the product cycle for the fitness industry is every 6-7 years, and
manufacturers just dont have the need to show new product at an annual trade
show.
“As a result, our fitness show will no longer operate
as an independent event in conjunction with Interbike,” the company said. “We
have many exhibitors that have liked the connection to Interbike over the past
few years, so weve decided to create a new HFB neighborhood on the Interbike
show floor in 2015.”
Interbike also noted that IBDs operated in a difficult
business climate during 2013 and the early part of 2014 – due in large part to
the late arrival of spring in much of North America and Europe last year. In
the months leading up to Interbike, show management hired a third-party
telemarketing firm to poll non-registered retailers on why they were not planning
to attend Interbike. Results indicated that more than 75 percent of those
called could either not afford the trip, or could not afford to leave their
store as they needed to help drive sales due to the poor overall 2014 business
climate.
Attendance on Friday for the Customer Appreciation Day was
up 31% over 2013 and traffic remained steady throughout the day. Exhibitors
also commented that many dealers stayed through Friday to finish up meetings
and to see smaller brands they may have missed in the first two days of the
show. Overall net square feet was comparable to 2013, as were the number of
exhibiting brands (1,400+).
While attendance numbers are certainly a measurement tool when gauging the
success of an event, its not the only one, said Pat Hus, Vice President of
Interbike. At the end of the day, the quality of the show experience is most
important. When we hear that retailers brought in new brands, purchased
product, met with company executives, networked, learned from the seminars,
etc-we know that the show was a success.
Interbike returns to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center
beginning with OutDoor Demo in Boulder City, Nev., September 14-15, 2015,
followed by the Interbike Expo September 16-18, 2015.
