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Not only are for the first time all the mini-shows taking place under the banner of the Taichung Bike Week organization; also for the first time in its history the event is officially sponsored by the Taichung city government. Jason C. Hu, Mayor of Taichung says in a welcoming statement:

“As mayor of Taichung City, I consider it a great honour to welcome product managers and OEM producers from around the world to Taichung Bike Week 2009. The city of Taichung is the epicenter for the global bicycle industry. Taichung is making its own efforts to continue being the internationally known metropolis for the bicycle industry and is proud to assist with services and facilities to play an even greater role in promoting this rapidly growing event.

“Taiwan is the global centre of product development within the bicycle industry and is the second largest exporter of bicycles in the world. Taiwan’s bike makers have become increasingly innovative and ambitious in the development of high-end bicycles, components coupled with some of their best R&D facilities in the world. Strong competition and cooperation towards goals within the industry have allowed both designers and producers to work together for the creation of even more comfortable, more stylish and higher quality bicycles. Now Taichung is proud to host the amazing OEM-based Taichung Bike Week mini-shows, these have taken shape and seen phenomenal growth, especially over the past four years.

“Truthfully, I only learned about the existence of the self-organized, naturally formed December bicycle mini-shows late last year through one of the key organizers, also a very successful brand developer in Taichung city, Steve Fenton.  Steve is not only a Taichung citizen but a great friend of the City Government and has worked tirelessly and free of charge to bring this important event in the calendar together under one roof supported by Taichung City Government.

“It seems that the well-known brands within the bicycle industry helped trigger this event, answering the need of some local OEM suppliers for assistance in organizing a small, informal trade show that let product managers see their newest products and make their earliest and best specification choices. This was a classic case of the industry working together to meet ever changing deadlines from the global market. The remarkable success of the Taichung Bike Week event has inspired others to follow suit and hold their own exhibitions in downtown Taichung, thus allowing the informal Taichung Bike Week to gradually grow into one of the most important events in the bicycle industry calendar.

“To my knowledge, last year a total of 67 brands and their top professional customers gathered in several Taichung hotels as part of the largest ever cluster of mini bike shows, collectively known as Taichung Bike Week. Through the recommendation and help of WTB, Pro-Lite and RideOn organizers, I had the privilege of hosting a last minute gala dinner to show the city’s hospitality and express hopes of offering some more logistical support to make the show more time efficient and cost effective for all participants.  And, most importantly, we hope to leave all of our guests happy with their “Taichung Bike Week” experiences. Of course we will be hosting the dinner again for even more of you and I look forward to meeting all of you on Tuesday December 8th at the Splendor hotel. Don’t worry dinner is on me again.

“I would like to thank everybody for the opportunity to extend my greetings and best wishes for a very successful show and great business to everyone in the cycling industry.  Furthermore, I would like to extend a big welcome, to all of you in the OEM sector, to participate in our Taichung Bike Week, scheduled for Dec. 5-13, 2009.  Speaking from the heart of Taiwan’s bicycle industry, I pledge my full support in offering a welcoming, exciting and fruitful show to our cycling friends from all over the world.”