ExpoCycle 2012 Officially Opens its Doors to the Public

New Venue, New City & New Consumer Focus Showcase New Direction for Show

Toronto, ON (Sept 8, 2012) - ExpoCycle, the meeting place for the Canadian bicycle community, officially opened its doors to the Public today at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto - marking a series of "firsts" for the show. The Public taking in the show for the first time in Toronto drove the day. Adding to the success of Public Day were new features, such as the Momentum Magazine Fashion Show - where models road bikes down a runway sporting the latest trends for 2013, BMX demonstrations and the Wheelie Kool Kids Zone. These new changes complimented the more than 800 brands showcasing the latest trends, innovations, product lines and styles for the Canadian bike community.

Overall, the show focused on creating a unique experience for consumers and enthusiast, much like an auto show that showcases products and innovations coming to market along side current in-store products. The strategically timed BMX demo, kids bicycling zones and fashion shows ensured their interest throughout the day.

The new venue and downtown Toronto locations were also well received by those in attendance. The Direct Energy Centre, on the Canadian National Exhibition Grounds in Downtown Toronto, provided a modern, fresh new feel to the show.

All these new changes represent an important component in ExpoCycle's overall new marketing strategy. An indication the new city, venue and consumer focus direction taken by ExpoCycle 2012 is gaining momentum, first-day Public attendance far exceeded expectation. Given the rainy weather conditions - making cycling to the event more of a challenge - the thousands of cycling enthusiasts in attendance is considered a giant step in the right direction for ExpoCycle 2012.  
  

...Getting Smart

The Public Day was also built for retailer, supplier and rep convenience: it allowed them to take in educational seminars before Industry Days to free up time for product presentations. Throughout the day, retailers learned about how to increase sales. The New Tools, New Tactics for Connecting with Your Bike Shop Customers - Marketing Tools, Tips and Tales to Help Your Retail Business Connect With Today's Wired Customers seminar - for example - ensured those in attendance recognized how today's consumers are changing and learned new ways to connect to them.

...The "Looks" for 2013  

The Fashion show also added a new vibe to the show floor. The show itself was set up to mimic real world conditions - as models showcased more than 20 different "looks" while riding the latest innovations in urban bikes. The typical runway was upgraded with an elevated stage using a ramp to bike up and down the runway. Models showcased clothing, accessories and bikes from brands such as Fresh Collective, Ortlieb, Cycle Couture, Hutcase, Marin, Bern, Opus, Raleigh, Brodie, Jamis, Muttonhead, and Dakine. Consumers could then find highlighted products on the show floor.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EXPOCYCLE 2012:

Website: www.expocycle.ca

Facebook: www.facebook.com/btac.expocycle

Twitter: www.twitter/expoCycle