Interbike is one of the largest bike industry expos in the world, a Las Vegas event second in size only to Eurobike.
The Portland Product Party wasn’t nearly as huge, by a long stretch, but it was still a very cool event we hope to see grow.
Held at Velo Cult Bike Shop and Tavern, the Product Party was a casual (beer drinking) environment for retailers to check out 2015 products from a variety of bike businesses. Company reps were on hand to talk about new product features.
The event was put together as a last-minute idea, but the consensus all around seemed to be that it’s worth hosting again next year. Bike shop employees are often too busy to spend their time researching the finer points of new products, but this event was a cool environment to parlay that information. The focus on bike industry retailers is important. It’s no secret that online shopping is taking away from local businesses. If shop employees are more knowledgeable, they can offer an attractive service that has the potential to draw shoppers away from the sterile, self-driven online shopping environment.
If nothing else, it was an awesome opportunity for industry people to interact, something Portland needs a lot more of.
In attendance were Black Star Bags, North Street Bags, Walnut Studiolo, Bern, Showers Pass and Portland Design Works.
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