The Philly Bike Expo, November 5-6, may not be the largest indoor bicycle show in the USA, but it could be the most healthy, especially during what is widely considered a lean period in the cycling market.
Credit: Philly Bike Expo/Brad Quartuccio
Having started seven years ago in Philadelphia’s Armory building with just 68 exhibitors, the expo has since moved to the Pennsylvania Convention Center and this year with 153 booths sold has increased its booth sales by 9% percent over the existing record.
“In previous years we might have had a larger number of brands than this year, but that was because one rep brought about 20 brands into his booth space. What we’re seeing this year is less of that doubling-up,” says expo organizer Bina Bilenky, who is the daughter of the show’s co-founder Stephen Bilenky, owner of Bilenky Cycle Works in Philadelphia.
Credit: Philly Bike Expo/Scott Kinglsey
The greatest growth has been among custom frame builders, the number of which has increased by 28% over last year’s figure, with 41 companies registered for 2016.
“We have a commitment to small companies. There aren’t any really big booths at the Philly Bike Expo, even though we have some big brands. We will keep it this way, because it means the small companies don’t get overshadowed,” says Bilenky.
This year also sees a very rich program of seminars, demonstrations and ride events, which many say is the most comprehensive general-interest cycling conference in the USA. Industry veteran, Dale Brown of Cycles de Oro in Greensboro, North Carolina, wrote to a newsgroup the “Philly show has become THE Show.”
Credit: Philly Bike Expo/Brad Quartuccio
One of the factors contributing to the success is the low-key approach taken by the organizers. First time exhibitor, Ely Rodriguez of Ruthworks SF, a San Francisco company making custom bags for bicycles, said, “I knew I wanted to do a show at some point, and PBE (Philly Bike Expo) is the coolest show right now.” At the other end of the spectrum, Andrew Batchelar of Schwalbe said, “For the investment, it’s the most worthwhile show we do.”
Credit: Philly Bike Expo/Brad Quartuccio
The expo, which has a tag line ‘Artisans, Activists, Alternatives,’ is seen by many as something more than a bike expo. Stephen Bilenky said, “Some people call the expo a movement, because we’re strongly associated with promoting the cause of cycling, but I see it more as a community that welcomes and embraces and encourages every part of cycling, and creates a place where people can come and immerse themselves in cycling and learn more about it in a fun way. Cycling’s so huge, everybody can still learn more about it.”