IMBA at the 2012 National Bike Summit

We Need You at the 2012 National Bike Summit! Help Save Cycling.

Hot of the presses: 2012 IMBA "Ask" Handbook.

Great News! IMBA Destinations partner, Oregon Adventures, has offered one of their 3-day trips to IMBA Silver Level ride center in Oakridge, OR. to one lucky NBS registrant on the IMBA on track.

Don't let Congress turn back the clock on decades of hard-fought progress toward creating a more bicycle-friendly America. Join us at the 2012 National Bike Summit to help defend critical funding programs - just when America needs them the most.

IMBA is a proud sponsor of the League of American Bicyclist's National Bike Summit. IMBA's presence at the summit includes sessions and workshops designed to help mountain bike advocates lobby for public lands funding, protection and access. Join other mountain bike leaders, youth group organizers, retailers, club leaders, trailbuilders, bicycle suppliers and other leading voices as we unite for three powerful days in Washington, D.C.

The summit, held annually, is the premier bicycle advocacy event in our nation's capital. It brings cyclists from all over the country together to influence lawmakers and share strategies. IMBA's involvement will ensure that mountain and road cyclists are working together to lobby as a unified front. To help advocates attend this very important event, IMBA is making registration available to mountain bikers at a reduced rate, and will host several dirt-centric sessions and gatherings.

IMBA members: Don't forget to sign up for REI's Teaming For Trails! Your volunteer hours at NBS will count toward your grand total, bringing you closer to great prizes and gear discounts.

Summit Registration

Register here. Please be sure to use IMBA12 coupon code to take advantage of our discounted rates.

IMBA Member Price:

$300 (before 2/3/12)
$400 (after 2/3/12)
$500 (after 3/1/12)

$50 Administrative fee for cancelations prior to 2/17/12; no refunds after 2/17/12.

Reasons to Attend

The Summit is the perfect way to build a relationship with your member of congress. U.S. representatives and senators can be very powerful allies when the time comes to develop singletrack destinations.

Why should you go:

• Harness the power of D.C. advocacy to benefit your local trails
• Learn from respected speakers, panelists and hundreds of other cycling advocates
• Join IMBA for our 'family only' meetings and annual NBS dinner on Wednesday
• We need to introduce IMBA and mountain biking to congress
• Stay for the weekend and tour Washington, D.C.

Testimonial

Michelle B. from Golden, CO attended her first National Bike Summit in 2009 on behalf of her local IMBA chapter:

"NBS was a very rewarding and interesting experience. I got to see firsthand the important behind-the-scenes work that goes into successful advocacy efforts; plus, it was a great opportunity to network with like-minded folks both far and near."

Schedule

You can find the conference schedule on the League of American Bicyclists site. Note: as an IMBA delegate we suggest you arrive in DC in time to attend the IMBA Pre-Summit Workshop:

Don’t Miss Events for the IMBA Delegate

TUESDAY, March 20

4-6:30 pm Summit Registration Grand Hyatt (Be sure to visit the IMBA booth for your T-Shirt and other swag)

2-5 pm IMBA Pre-SummitMeeting: Expect the Best, Prepare for the Worst Independence H/I

5-6 pm First Timer’s Advocacy Training and Orientation Independence B/C

6-8:30 pm Opening Banquet and Keynote Speakers : Mark McKinnon,  Hill + Knowlton Strategies

 

WEDNESDAY, March 21

7 am 8 am Registration and Continental Breakfast Opening Plenary Session

9:30am – 12:30pm IMBA Breakout Sessions (All in Farragut/Lafayette)

The Role of Trail Based Recreation in America’s Economic Recovery

Mountain Biking: An Emerging Constituency for the National Park Service

12:45 pm – 2:00 pm Keynote Luncheon

2:30pm - 3:45pm Final IMBA Breakout Session (Farragut/ Lafayette)

Diversify Your Portfolio- Fundraising Locally and Nationally

5 pm State Delegation Meetings

7pm IMBA Delegates Dinner: La Tasca  722 7^th St NW Washington, DC 20001

 

 

THURSDAY, March 22

8 am Breakfast and Rally on Capitol Hill Congressional meetings throughout the day (the League will schedule and coordinate these meetings).

5-7 pm Congressional Reception and Summit Wrap-up: Senate Dirksen Office Building – Room G-50

Meet and greet lawmakers and their staffs as we close the conference with a Capitol Hill reception that provides one more chance to talk and network in a relaxed setting.