After two tough years in the wilderness for live, in-person special events courtesy of a worldwide pandemic, the Philly Bike Expo is swimming against the tide of trade show cancellations or scale-backs with expectations for a vibrant 2022 show. The 2022 edition returns to the Pennsylvania Convention Center on October 29 and 30. The show is open to the public, and tickets are for sale at www.phillybikeexpo.com.
“I think it will be better than last year. Last year was really incredible despite being smaller and with one month to go our exhibitor numbers are up 23% from 2021. We have some really great seminars and demos this year,” says Philly Bike Expo Director Bina Bilenky.
Part of the show’s popularity for industry exhibitors can be explained by the Philly Bike Expo’s multifaceted appeal. It’s a show that is uniquely relevant because of the human connections it fosters, with both colleagues and friends in the industry, and with the consumer public. Both of these cohorts are best engaged within a live, in-person, public show that seeks to educate and inspire as much as to sell products.
The Philly Bike Expo also actively promotes a bigger, brighter, and more inclusive future for the world of cycling. Returning to the show again for the third year is the SRAM Inclusivity Scholarship, sponsored by component manufacturer SRAM, which aims to highlight and support people of color, women, trans, and non-binary frame builders who have been historically underrepresented at bike shows and the bicycle industry at large: The 2022 recipients include Wzrd Bikes, Liberation Fabrication, Hot Salad Bikes, and a fourth winner to be determined.
More than any other bicycle industry show, the Philly Bike Expo cultivates the next generation of active cyclists and bicycle enthusiasts with events for youth and the whole family. “This year we are continuing our trend of education and skills development for young cyclists,” says Bilenky. “Through our partnership with the Early Mobility Childhood Coalition (www.kidswalkbike.com) we are offering our most extensive line-up to date of skills clinics and maintenance demos for kids and parents. With our popular Kid’s Arena at the Pennsylvania Convention Center where kids can test bikes on the show floor, and a wide variety of seminars that address the history, present, and future of cycling, the Philly Bike Expo offers events for the whole family.”
The Philly Bike Expo’s appeal for the whole family can be explained by the fact that it’s truly a family affair for the Bilenkys, whose extended family all contribute in different ways to make the show an enduring success. The show was founded by Bina Bilenky’s father Stephen, a frame builder and bicycle restoration expert who has run Bilenky Cycle Works in North Philadelphia since 1983.
The full schedule of seminars, demos, rides, and the list of exhibitors at this year’s Philly Bike Expo is available at the event website, www.phillybikeexpo.com, where tickets for the show may also be purchased. Children aged 12 and under have free admission.
Ron is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.
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