Each year we (Jim, Sharon and Laurel) visit the Interbike Trade Show in Las Vegas to find sponsors and vendors for the event. We walk, and we walk, and we walk some more to not only get to the trade show, but to visit and network with people at their booths. We stayed at the lovely Imperial Palace and were privy to listening, while trying to sleep, to a deep base sound coming from below until about 2am each morning. No matter! We were just excited to be there.                                                                             

Jim, Sharon and I went to the Shimano party the first night and    got our free beer glasses, sat at enjoyed our beer right in frontof a speaker    and did some people watching. After finishing our beers, we picked our tired  selves up and sauntered through the Venetian where we happened upon this great  gelato. I can’t remember where we on our way to, but we thought we would try  that later.

Sharon and I also went to the OIWC meeting. (Outdoor Industry Women’s Coalition) where there is always networking and wine to be had.

Of course you run into and can take photos of cycling stars and other athletes. They even had some professional and Industry Cup criteriums we could watch that were held in the parking lot of the Mandaley Bay. View A Movie of Criterium Here. Guess what? Mario Cippiolini was in the Industry Cup race and I saw him go by in the pack many times. The last lap he didn’t; I guess  he crashed. By that time, it was 10pm and I couldn’t stand on my feet anymore, so I promptly hoofed it back to the Imperial by way of the tram and monorail. However, to catch the Monorail, you have to hike millions of miles ( while consuming a Haggen Daas Dulce le Leche ice cream cone) to the back of the MGM Grand. Unbelievable! Of course Jim and Sharon took it easy in their room and ordered room service. They were the smart ones.

What do you see at Interbike?

• Elvis Sitings
• A Chinese Parade
• Cycling Stars
• Sport Celebrities
• Friends and Sponsors
• & so much more!

 We snapped a few photos including pictures of Sean O’Grady, Greg LeMond, Phil Ligget, Triatlete Mark Allen and skater Tony Hawk.

I was also there to promote by other business called OutdoorIndustryJobs.com. So it was my mission to go to every booth and get the contact of the person that does the hiring. Check out the site if you need a job in the outdoor industry.

Sean O’Grady	Phill Liggett, Mark Allen and Greg Lemond
Tony Hawk	Rally Friends
Chinese Parade	Sheila Moon and Friends
Elvis Siting	At last, a seat!