Bike Expo 2010, Continuing Education for Retailers

According to the Bicycle Industry Association (Zweirad-Industrie-Verband – ZIV) more than 4 million bicycles were sold in Germany in 2009: 68% in retail stores. In times of economic troubles customers tend to focus on high-quality products and competent service, in particular. Continuing education offers retailers and sales personnel an opportunity to get a step ahead of the competition and hold their own in the extremely diversified cycling market.

From July 22nd to 25th BIKE EXPO not only acts as a presentation space for the latest products, but also as an information and continuing education platform. Industry experts will introduce the latest technical details, market-related forecasts, and new sales concepts in a number of training sessions.

Complementing the BIKE EXPO’s focus theme, Urban Mobility, the program includes a variety of retail training courses revolving around electro mobility. A unique feature of the exposition is the involvement of trade show partner ExtraEnergy e.V.: as part of a special training program, a number of certifications are available to participating retailers, as an official proof of the knowledge attained. The training sessions include topics such as “Market Overview and Expectations for the Market” and “Selling According to Customer Request Fulfillment Factors”. Additional partners such as Velotech.de and the TÜV Rhineland offer presentations on the GS Certification for Pedelecs and battery safety guidelines BATSO. Retailers will also be able to attain an additional hazardous goods certificate after completing the hazardous goods class offered by the Society for International Business Development and Management (Gesellschaft für Internationale Wirtschaftsförderung & Management – IWM). There will also be a practical use oriented seminar with input from the most important system suppliers. In addition to these exclusive training options ExtraEnergy e.V. offers an open program at its stage in hall C4. The schedule includes discussions revolving around “Target Group Oriented Product Selection and Customer Service”, “Light Electro Mobility – Opportunities for Bicycle Retail”, and “Battery Regulations – Check List for Retailers to Reduce Risk”.
ExtraEnergy e.V. is not the only entity offering retail training at BIKE EXPO, several other exhibitors, such as PG Bikes provide information on “Hybrid-Bikes and E-Bikes – the urban mobility trend for the future”. The experts of BionX, a supplier of cycling motors and batteries, offer a special presentation on electric drives.

In addition, stilrad offers presentations on the topics “Changing Retail” and “Sales Processes”, always with a focus on individuality and lifestyle in cycling applications and the bicycle market. The component specialists of SR Suntour will provide training for retailers in the areas of repair, service, and maintenance of suspension forks, and the FSA (Full Speed Ahead) experts will introduce their latest developments.

The first International Bicycle Developers Conference will be held parallel to BIKE EXPO. On July 22nd designers and technicians, as well as retailers and buyers will have the opportunity to gain in-depth information on various topics at the conference held at the Novotel located opposite the New Munich Trade Fair. Topics include “Materials, Construction Methods, and Design”, “Testing and Quality Control of Bicycle Components”, as well as “Calculation and Simulation”.

Another side event at BIKE EXPO is the 3rd ispo innovation forum on July 23rd. Under the motto “The future of bike mobility” the agency Sportkreativwerkstatt organizes a get-together of representatives from the industry, politics, science, and education. Panel discussions will focus on the latest developments and future trends in bicycle mobility.

The continuing education program is designed specifically for retailers, and will be held during the two trade visitor days, July 22nd and 23rd, 2010. Interested parties can access detailed information at: www.bike-expo.com