| 03/24/2003 | In an attempt to further rally the advocacy efforts of the bicycling industry, Interbike announced today a new Exhibitor Badge Program designed to benefit the Bikes Belong Coalition. The new credentialing policy, which takes effect at the upcoming 2003 Interbike International Expo, involves a $25 fee for additional Exhibitor badges required after an initial two-badge/per booth allocation.
Interbike show organizers believe the new fee structure will generate necessary funding for the promotion and growth of the bicycling industry. Proceeds from the new Exhibitor Badge program will go directly towards benefiting Bikes Belong's overall mission of putting more people on bikes.
"Specifically, the funds generated through the new Exhibitor Badge Program will enable Bikes Belong to expand its broadening government grants program to further bring cycling into the fabric of society," said Rich Olken of the Bikes Belong Coalition. "This extension of the grants program will help bring our results to a broader level and into our communities," added Olken.
Central to its goal, the Bikes Belong Coalition assists local organizations, agencies, and citizens in developing bicycle facility projects while also funding the bicycle industry's political lobbyists.
"We anticipate that the industry as a whole will step up to support Bikes Belong through the Exhibitor Badge fee," said Lance Camisasca, Interbike Show Director. "The program has the potential to generate substantial funds that will go towards increasing cycling activities and continuing our efforts in Washington, DC," said Camisasca.
This will be the first-ever industry-wide attempt to support an industry-wide advocacy group.
"The new Interbike Badge fee is just another way to raise much-needed funds to turn America into a bicycle friendly country," commented Trek's John Burke. "Those who attend Interbike have a vested interest in more bicycle facilities around the country and this fee will help to pay for those efforts," said Burke.
Mike Sinyard of Specialized said this about Interbike's new Exhibitor Badge Program. "I support and salute Interbike's program that will generate additional funding for Bikes Belong so we can continue our work towards a bicycle-friendly America."
"Thanks to Interbike, advocacy now has an integrated role in the cycling community," said Skip Hess of Giant Bicycles.
"It makes good sense that our one industry tradeshow provides a revenue funding mechanism that in turn can be leveraged to fund efforts that can ultimately help grow our industry," said Steve Flagg of Quality Bicycle Parts.
"From the inception of Bikes Belong, Interbike has had an intrinsic understanding that the efforts of Bikes Belong benefit the entire industry. The Interbike Exhibitor Badge Program is just one more way that Interbike continues to support the industry," said Lisa Robinson of Bikes Belong.
The 2003 Exhibitor Badge Program pertains only to the attending exhibitor base and does not affect the retailer / buyer attendees or any other badge credential.
Bikes Belong, the bicycle industry's advocacy voice, was incorporated in 1998 with the mission of putting more people on bicycles more often by promoting bicycling and assisting local organizations, agencies and communities in developing bicycle facilities projects that will be funded by the Transportation Equity Act. Bikes Belong has awarded over $460,000 in facilities grants with a return of over $250 million in funding for bicycle facilities. Bikes Belong has funded over 679 miles and connected 3,185 miles of bike facilities projects- enough to cross the United States.
For more information about Bikes Belong Coalition, visit www.bikesbelong.org.www.interbike.com
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