Handmade bike show rides away

May 14, 2009
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bikeshowNorth American Handmade Bicycle Show, we barely knew ya. After one year in Indianapolis, the unique event—which drew 150 exhibitors and 7,200 attendees to Indianapolis Feb. 27-March 1—is vacating for Richmond, Va. The show has experienced explosive growth since 2005, when it attracted 23 exhibitors and 200 attendees.

Putting to rest several months of speculation, NAHBS founder and director Don Walker, who oddly is a Speedway-based entrepreneur, said Tuesday that the Greater Richmond Convention Center will host the 2010 event from Feb. 26-28.

“I researched all the way along the East Coast, and Richmond came up as the strongest candidate, all criteria considered,” Walker said. “I then put forward three candidates to a vote among this year’s exhibitors, and Richmond was the clear winner. I looked at some of the largest cities as well, and while these cities might have great cycling culture, their prices are out of range for the vast majority of my exhibitors.”

“Cycling is really becoming more and more popular in this region," said Jack Berry, president and CEO of the Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitor's Bureau. “Being a cyclist myself, personally I’m thrilled. This is huge for Richmond and the Mid-Atlantic.”
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  • GuiseppeMay 14, 2009 9:38 AM
    For what it is worth, Indianapolis did not really lose this event. Rather, the purpose of the event is to move each year and showcase the various bike builders to new regions of cycling fans around the country. It was a great show this year here in Indy and I'm glad that others out East will be more able to go next year in Richmond.
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  • hrcMay 14, 2009 12:03 PM
    It was a great show. I hope it comes back to Indy in the future. Since most of the attendees were consumers from here and those within driving distance, it makes sense that the builders need to expose their product to consumers in different geographic areas. It wouldn't make sense to come back to any one city until they have
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  • indymanMay 14, 2009 12:36 PM
    If what Guiseppe said is true, then the article is misleading. It would be interesting to get that clarified.
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  • GuiseppeMay 14, 2009 12:57 PM
    I based my comments on the following article from VeloNews.com: http://www.velonews.com/article/91979/handmade-show-heads-east
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  • Anthony SchoettleMay 14, 2009 1:26 PM
    Sorry for the confusion. The show has in fact moved from Texas to California to Oregon to Indiana. But after the show ended in Indianapolis and there was no immediate announcement about the 2010 show location, some in the local hospitality and tourism industry had hoped, that with Don Walker's local connection, the show might stay put. Walker did say he liked to move the show to increase its exposure. Nothing says the show won't make a return to Indy. In fact, many in the local cycling and tourism industries hope that it will.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment

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