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DealerCamp bringing big crowds

by Andrew Kirk, OF THE RECORD STAFF

Bike DealerCamp by Lifeboat Events is returning to Deer Valley Resort for three days starting July 26. This is the show’s second year and it is bringing in at least 300 more people.

DealerCamp was started by show planner Lance Camisasca to better serve a need within the bicycle retail industry.

The sport’s primary trade show is Interbike in Las Vegas every September. Most retailers start their buying in June and July, however. For the past decade, the largest brands have been offering "sneak peaks" in July. That means everybody else must vie for the retailers’ remaining dollars later in the year, Camisasca explained.

holding an exhibition in July, Lifeboat Events gives retailers a chance to see more product lines during their preferred buying time, he said.

Last year, 27 exhibitors attended DealerCamp representing 51 brands. About 220 bicycle retail businesses came. This year, Camisasca has 130 exhibitors coming with over 200 brands and at least 400 retailers attending.

Because the major brands also show off their shoe, helmet, clothing and accessory lines at their private summer events, manufacturers of these products are also asking to attend DealerCamp, he said.

All this increased business is good for Camisasca, but it also means hundreds more people staying in Park City hotels, eating at restaurants and, most importantly, riding the trails, he said.

"I argue that these are some of the best (trails) in the world and we’re introducing that to these people," he said. "I’m proud of the fact that we’re able to expose Park City’s trail network to the bicycle industry at large."

Every kind of riding discipline from mountain to road are accommodated by Park City’s streets and trails, he said.

"(Feedback) is fantastic. I can’t think of one complaint or one concern," he said.

The attendees have also raved about the proximity to a major airport, the hotels, the food and the nightlife.

"Literally zero complaints," he said.

If the show continues to grow at the same rate, Camisasca said he’ll figure out a way to keep it at Deer Valley.

"The relationships I’ve developed in Park City are beyond business at this point; I consider them my friends. They’ve done phenomenal work," he said. "Park City will be our home for quite a long time."

DealerCamp is a business-to-business event, so only registered retailers and sales representatives are allowed to attend. Register at bikedealercamp.com . Direct questions to Camisasca by emailing lance@lifeboatevents.com.

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