Interbike’s annual OutDoor Demo and International Bicycle Expo, to be held September 25-29, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada, will be the largest in its 25-year history.

The first two days of the industry-only bicycle show, the 25th and 26th, start with the OutDoor Demo in Bootleg Canyon, Nevada, where bicycle retailers and members of the media will be able to test road and mountain bike products from more than 110 bicycle and accessory manufacturers. The 2006 OutDoor Demo exhibit footprint is 59,400 net-sold, square-feet (2,640 square-feet larger than last year’s event) and still growing as some exhibitors increase their space and others return. For example, Specialized increased its booth space, and Bell Sports and Trek/Gary Fisher Bicycles will return to OutDoor Demo after short hiatuses.

“It’s a big launch for us this year with the Trek and Gary Fisher MTB line,” said Zap Espinoza, Trek’s public relations manager. “TrekFest was a great opportunity for our dealers to see the complete line, but we know a lot of people will be attending the OutDoor Demo. We feel it’s important to be there so retailers can test ride the ’07 MTB line.”

“We found retailers bring several staff members to the show and then split up so they can collectively visit as many exhibitors as possible,” said Don Palermini, brand manager for Bell Sports. “OutDoor Demo provides us with another point of contact with retailers.”

The indoor portion of the show, the International Bicycle Expo, which runs from September 27-29, boasts 305,700 net-sold, square-feet of exhibit space, which is the largest footprint in Interbike’s history. The figure equates to 3,057 individual 10-x 10-foot booths. In addition, as an example of the international flavor of the show, 25 countries will be represented ranging from Andorra to the United Kingdom.

“This year’s Interbike coincides with a crucial time in our history,” said Lance Camisasca Interbike’s group show director. “High fuel prices make for top news stories everyday, global warming and the environmental damages caused by fossil fuels have produced a feature film and our country’s abysmal health and obesity problems have not gone away for a minute. Industry manufactures are presently creating dynamic products that address all of these major news headlines. Having greater exhibitor presence this year, in addition to an 8 percent increase in pre-registration of retail stores, bodes well for the show and also indicates the industry is feeling positive about its health.”