Day 2 of IMBA Summit/World Mountain Bike Conference

For Immediate Release
06-22-06
Contact: Mark Eller, IMBA Communications Manager
markeller@imba.com
303-545-9011

The 2006 IMBA Summit/World Mountain Bike Conference continued in Whistler, BC, today with a keynote address by Joey Klein. An IMBA Trail Specialist, Klein oversees the planning, design and construction of trail systems all over the world. Addressing an audience of more than 400 delegates, Klein described some of the mountain biking destinations he's crafted, including planning Olympic Mountain Bike courses, helping create Welsh and Scottish national mountain bike centers, and promoting the sport of mountain biking in several countries. Klein was also instrumental in jump-starting IMBA's Trail Solutions program trailsolutions/index.html in 2002, after a three-year stint in the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program.

Whistler's Success, Industry Trends Examined

After Klein's address, leaders from the bicycle advocacy movement - as well as land managers, resort representatives and bicycle manufacturers - gathered for seminars, including the following:

How Does the Whistler Mountain Bike Park Do It?
Join this open question and answer session with the minds and strength behind the highly successful Whistler Mountain Bike Park. From trail design and construction to marketing strategies, no question is off the table. Speakers: Dave Kelly, Whistler Mountain Bike Park; Rob McSkimming, Whistler Mountain Bike Park.

Anticipating Trends in the Bike Industry
Does the mountain biking movement shape the industry or the industry shape the mountain bike movement? Speakers will present current trends and address this "chicken and egg" question. Retailers, advocates land managers and anyone in the trails community will benefit from this examination of where mountain bicycling is headed. Speakers: Rob Jones, President Canadian Cyclist; Gary Sjoquist, Quality Bike Products.

Partnering for Conservation
The synergy between the mountain biking movement and conservation is exemplified by the joint work of Parks Canada and IMBA Canada. This national effort combines singletrack and national parks, and could be precedent-setting worldwide. Join speakers as they describe current pilot projects, and the immense potential of this partnership. Speakers: Jim Hasenauer, California State University; Frances Gertsch, Parks Canada; Ed Yaeger, Parks Canada; Mark Schmidt, IMBA Canada.

Day 2 Concludes with Trials Demonstration and Banquet

The Thursday program concluded with a banquet dinner, held in the Whistler Conference Centre. World-famous trials rider Ryan Leech and mountain unicyclist Kris Holm performed amazing feats for the attendees.

High-resolution photos of the IMBA Summit/World Mountain Bike Conference are for available for editorial use. E-mail Mark Eller for additional information.