Taipei: too late & too little news

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Despite the fact that the organizers of the Taipei Cycle Show which closed its doors last Tuesday, claimed a big 38% rise in the number of overseas buyers that attended the Show; this year’s biggest bike industry show was disappointing. Its late date was bothering not only the exhibitors but also representatives of for instance some US bike makers like Specialized and Scott that didn’t even attend the show. They left Taiwan one week before the opening of the Show. Also this year’s Taipei International Cycle had little to offer in innovations; in trendy stuff and in indicating new directions for the international bike industry. However, this is something the organizers can not be blamed for. But they can as far as the dates of the Show are concerned. This year’s timing was way off from the current spec and purchasing timeline of the bigger bike makers. For the decision makers of the high-end performance products, which will be for another couple of years being produced in Taiwan, the Show is simply too late. Specialized and Scott showed that they can do without the Taipei Cycle Show. The same will go for more OEM’s if the dates are not changed. For wholesalers ‘Taipei’ is already for years the efficient way not only to do business, but also to meet and greet. But also for them end of March timing is late, taking lead times into account. With the Taipei Cycle Show now for two decades being the purchasing show for the international bike sector; it will have to shift to earlier dates than the ones for 2008: March 13 – 16. In order to keep up its reputation; ‘Taipei’ will have to shift to dates prior to the Chinese New Year. However, as it stand now that will not happen in 2008; the year that the Taipei Cycle Show is moving to its new venue.