America’s largest cycling trade show, Interbike, has been cancelled for 2019. Event owners Emerald Expositions announced the news today and will seek alternative options for 2020 and beyond.

Established in 1982, Interbike quickly became a staple of the cycling industry. Recent years have seen the trade show decline, with the biggest bike brands electing to hold their own dealer events. For 2018, Interbike was moved from Las Vegas to Reno in the hope of reigniting the event. Emerald Expositions surveyed attendees of the recent Reno show and according to a press release announcing the event closure found “overall travel time and cost proved challenging for attendees and exhibitors.”

The press release states that Emerald Expositions will “research alternative plans for 2020 and beyond, including the opportunity to launch events featuring bicycling and bike-related components within or alongside its various successful, multi-sport trade show franchises.” Emerald Expositions also owns Outdoor Retailer and Surf Expo, two events that could be broadened to include cycling.

Some staff have been let go as a result of the event cancellation, including Justin Gottlieb, Show Director and Andria Klinger, Sales Director.

Given the general quieter feel of Interbike 2018 just passed, this news doesn’t come as a huge surprise. It certainly begs the larger question of how relevant industry-wide trade shows are where it’s often more affordable and effective for brands to run their own dealer events, away from distraction and competition. As it stands, the consumer and industry-facing Sea Otter Classic and North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) are the two events best placed to take the industry position that Interbike has long held.