I would like to invite you to register for the 2009 North American Handmade Bicycle Show, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, February 27 – March 1

Thanks to all the exhibitors, we had a great show in Portland this February, and I fully expect that with similar participation, Indy will be even better. Let me give you a run-down of what to expect.

WEATHER: Indiana is not Minnesota! Expect a light dusting of snow, if any. Here are the weather charts for the past seven years from the NOAA national weather service.

TRAVEL: Getting to Indianapolis from major Californian cities need not involve traveling through snowbound hubs.

VENUE: The Indiana Convention Center, is located in downtown Indianapolis. The expo hall is accessible via a skywalk between the host hotel and the Convention Center. You will never feel a drop of rain or even a breeze while going between the two locations.

HOST HOTEL: The Hyatt-Regency is a high rise hotel in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. Looking out your room window you will see a beautiful skyline of downtown. Looking into the interior courtyard is also a breathtaking view. A rotating restaurant is also on the top floor of the hotel with a 360 degree bird’s eye view of downtown. One full rotation takes 1 hour and 15 minutes. The spacious hotel lobby and bars make excellent venues for planned meetings or impromptu gatherings that just grow and grow.

DINING & NIGHTLIFE: Three brew pubs lie within a two-minute walk of the Hyatt Regency. Within five blocks you will find world-renowned restaurants such as St. Elmo’s Steakhouse (make sure you try the Shrimp Cocktail) among the many, many local eateries. Everything is within walking distance. Those are just a few of the high points to get you familiar with Indianapolis, host city of NAHBS 2009.

1. LOCAL MARKETING We are working with CIBA, an organization with 2,000+ members. It seems the entire midwest is excited that this show is coming to Indy and many regard this as a golden opportunity to dispel a few myths. We begin on May 16, 2008 with “Bike to Work Day” in Indy.
2. CITY AND STATE officials will use the show to raise awareness of cycling and its healthy benefits. Indiana has budgeted $20 million for new and improving existing bike paths. They are showing their efforts already with this kind of financial commitment.
3. MEDIA We are already working on next year’s headcount for attending media and expect another very strong media presence at the show.
4. EXHIBITOR SERVICES We now have a dedicated show director who will be your contact point onsite. With our office here in Indy, we have a much better idea on what will be done prior to show time. Exhibitor badge pickup has also been overhauled into a much smoother process.
5. SHOW HOURS Public access will be from 11 AM to 6 PM Friday and Saturday, with 9 AM until 11 AM on those days restricted to Industry and Media. Sunday will be from 10 AM until 5 PM for all attendees.

Sincerely,

Don Walker