in Portland Bike Show
last June]
The PDC wants to bring the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) to Portland. Reps from the PDC, Commissioner Sam’s office and the Portland Oregon Visitor’s Association met with the founder and director of the show, Don Walker at Interbike in Las Vegas last week.
The fledgling show features the nation’s most sought-after artisan and custom bike builders and in just two years it has become an established and successful event within the national bike scene. The show is currently based in San Jose but Walker is apparently open to the idea of making it a travelling show.
At Interbike the Portland contingent presented Walker with a proposal but so far there’s no official word on a decision by Walker.
Best of Show in 2006]
I think having this show in Portland is a no-brainer, since Portland and Oregon already have a vast amount of bike building talent. From Jeff Jones and John Slawta in Southern Oregon to the well–known talent right here in Portland.
Sacha White of Vanilla Bicycles has won “Best in Show” at the NAHBS each of the last two years.
Back in June, the Made in Portland Bicycle Show was a monumental success. I suggested to the PDC that while they woo Don Walker I’d be happy to work with them on a repeat of that show. Last year I put it together in just a few weeks with no budget, and I think a Portland regional bike builders show would draw a big response from both exhibitors and from the public.
Stay tuned for more developments on this and other news from the Portland delegation’s trip to Interbike…