Regional Super Seminars '07 - '08

REGISTRATION  **CLOSED**
Registration is required in advance to attend any of the regional one-day sessions in Chicago, Minneapolis, D.C, Seattle, Atlanta and Dallas. Regional seminars are open to all bicycle dealers, and as a benefit of NBDA membership, current members may register two attendees free of charge.  Non-members and members who wish to bring more than two can do so at a nominal fee of $50 per person. Non-members who join the NBDA can apply their registration toward an annual membership.  

HISTORY
The goal of bringing retail education direct to dealers around the country began in 2005 when the NBDA expanded it's long-time and highly demand Super Seminars held annually at the Interbike Expo into two major markets immediately following the expo.  In 2006 NBDA regional seminars drew over 260 attendees from 150 companies to five regional one-day sessions—presenting industry research, market trends, retail best practices, advocacy, employee retention and customer service to owners, managers and bike shop employees. For the 2007 - 2008 season, those numbers nearly doubled throughout six regional locations.  

9:00 a.m. -  9:30 am.
AMERICA SPEAKS: WHAT’S DRIVING THE U.S. BIKE MARKET?
FRED CLEMENTS, NBDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Although the U.S. bicycle industry has enjoyed all-time sales highs of $6 billion in 2005 and 2006, there is continuing concern that our industry’s focus has become too narrow to support growth. This session will cover the latest statistics based on top-level consumer research funded by the NBDA and conducted by the Bicycle Market Research Institute. Included will be a trend analysis of how bike shops are doing versus mass merchants, trends in IBD average selling prices, and a review of the continuing growth of mountain, hybrid and road bike sales, along with declines in BMX and freestyle. It will also include a review of new NBDA programs designed to support bicycle retailers, with an emphasis on The Bike Shop Advantage marketing program for NBDA Marketing Director, Michael Baker.

9:30 a.m - 10:00 a.m
THE HUMAN-POWERED REVOLUTION BEGINS WITH YOU
JAY GRAVES, THE BIKE GALLERY, PORTLAND, OR
Jay Graves, owner of The Bike Gallery in Portland, Oregon, will lead this updated session on how dealers can become involved in bicycle advocacy to not only support bicycle use, but also increase sales and profits. Jay will share his story of successful involvement with advocacy in Portland, and give specific advice on how dealers can begin to work more closely with local clubs and the government to make the world a better place for bikes.

10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m
SALES FLOOR STRATEGIES FOR SPECIALTY BICYCLE RETAILERS
DAN MANN, THE MANN GROUP
This is an interactive workshop that features facilitated discussion and demonstrations of one of our industry’s most basic and yet difficult questions: what should happen when a customer walks into a bike store, and how can you make sure that happens every time? The focus will be on establishing systems and procedures so that customers are handled promptly and professionally. It will also explore common mistakes that may leave customers ignored or confused. It will also focus on and illustrate proven strategies and techniques for effectively serving a new wave of cyclists – those who typically have not bought from bike shops. Dan Mann has a long background in retailing and works with numerous bicycle retailers nationwide. He also manages the NBDA's Profitability Project, and works with the NBDA on other projects.

1:15 p.m. -  3:15 p.m.
PRACTICAL METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO INCREASE PROFITS IN YOUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT
BRETT FLEMMING, THE BIKE GALLERY, PORTLAND, OR
Brett Flemming’s inspiring presentations have been rated as exceptional by dealers in numerous venues, including past NBDA Regional Super Seminars. This new and updated session will focus on practical and
proven ideas for helping bicycle stores improve service department profitability, as well as service customer experience and mechanic retention. Brett will share the practices and concepts that have been implemented at The Bike Gallery, a multi-store cycling retailer in Portland, Oregon. Labor revenues have grown by over 50% in recent years at The Bike Gallery as a result of implementing these creative strategies.

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
THE FUTURE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT
JAY TOWNLEY, GLUSKIN TOWLEY GROUP, LLC
Industry veteran Jay Townley will focus on the major trends affecting bicycle retailers, and then explore the solutions and opportunities that will allow bike shop owners to create their own futures. The U.S. bicycle market has not grown significantly in over a decade. The industry has experienced flat sales that have not kept up with population growth. Bicycle riding participation has steadily declined over this same time frame as well. What to do? There is great potential for branching out beyond the mostly white male baby boomers that populate the enthusiast sub-culture that has supported our business for decades. There are proven strategies available for reaching out to more women and casual riders, as well as techniques for making sure bike stores are welcoming to consumers of all types. This seminar will also describe the three specific ways you can grow your business, as well as suggest numerous ideas for local market solutions and growth opportunities that individual bike shop owners can start implementing today.

4:30 p.m. Event close