In Conversation with Mr. Anil Khurana on International Bicycle & Fitness Expo - 2015

All India Cycle Manufacturer Association (AICMA), ADA Expo & Events and Hero Cycles are organizing first International Bicycle & Fitness Expo. The three-day long event starting from 29th to 31st January, 2015 at Pragati Maidan Exhibition Centre of New Delhi, will comprise of an expo and an award ceremony - The IBFE- Hall of Fame in order to honor leaders who have carved a niche for themselves in this industry. We got a chance to speak with Mr. Anil Khurana, scion of the bicycle industry journal Ambassador and Managing Director of ADA Expo & Events, who briefed us about the event.

 

 

 

 

First of all, please tell us more about International Bicycle & Fitness Expo - 2015?

 

IBFE -2015 is an initiative to provide fitness enthusiasts direct access to manufacturers and distributors of the latest fitness equipments, technologies and services. Also, it aims at exploring the potential of Indian bicycle, e- bike and fitness equipment market. This Expo is organized keeping in mind the international standards, and exhibitors from Europe, China, Japan and Taiwan are expected to participate.

 

 

 

 

 

 The show is being hosted by the company called Wheel Publications, which is is my company, as a joint venture with Hero Cycles. The company, which is organizing the whole event is ADA Expo & Events Pvt. Ltd. All India Cycle Manufacturers Association (AICMA) is also supporting the show.

 

 

 

 

Tell us how Hero Cycles came with you?

 

Hero got along with us because we are willing to promote Indian cycle industry not only in the domestic market but also in the international market as well. If you look at the the cycle industry at whole, Indian companies are getting tough competition from China and Taiwan and over the time these have overtaken India in a major way in technology as well as in sales. So, Hero came ahead to help us in this.

 

 

 

 

 

How the IBEF will help Indian Bicycle Industry?

 

At the IBEF, we will be organizing workshops for cycle dealers, where they can learn about  tyre maintenance, multi-speed gears, etc. This knowledge will help dealers to give better services to their customers. All big bicycle manufacturers including HERO cycles, AVON cycles, ATLAS cycles, FireFox, etc are participating in the show and we are expecting a good number of foreign visitors in the show and they will be participating next year as well. So, we are getting all these big names on a single platform, where people can exchange knowledge and learn new things about fitness and cycling. 

 

This event will help us to get a new identity in the international market and also encourage foreign companies to enter in the Indian market. For the first time, the industry is being shaken up by the sheer magnitude of opportunities that the event has to offer to not only for fitness freaks but also to the entire industry’s growth.

 

What will be the role of ADA Expo in this whole event?

 

ADA Expo and Events Pvt. Ltd. is the oldest and leading bicycle journal published in India. The company organizes events & exhibitions. We are the organizers and we are facilitating all the activities at the event, we will also be holding meetings of international visitors with the Indian manufacturers.

 

 

What kind of turn out you are expecting for the IBFE?

 

Over three days we are targeting about 1 lac visitors, if we achieve this target, it will be a big victory.

 

 

Will there be any entry fees or ticket?

 

No, there is no entry ticket; in fact we will be having lucky draws for the bicycle dealers and for the general public on all three days, where they can win a lot of prizes.

 

Will there be any engagement activities at the event?

 

We will have bicycle stunts throughout the day, where teams from UP and Mumbai will be performing. As I told you earlier, there will be different seminars, where people can learn a lot of things. We are also organizing a cyclothon on the 29th morning from Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium terminating at Shakti Maidan, after that we are holding a prize distribution function there and we are also inviting the Delhi schools to come and visit the show.

 

 

Where do you see the Indian Bicycle Industry 5 years down the line?

 

Bicycle industry has been stagnant for the last 3-4 years while the fitness industry is growing at a good 25-30 percent every year. However, we are expecting to take a good leap in the next year, but I cannot quote an exact figure at the moment. As we are taking initiatives now and the whole industry is serious about pushing it, I am quite optimistic about the growth.

 

So, can we say that the whole purpose of the Expo is to present bicycles as fitness equipment and not just a transport mode?

 

Yes, bicycles are not just a transport mode and these are fitness equipment as well. Bicycling is getting popular among youngsters and we are quite hopeful for that. We were lacking in high-end bikes, but in last 2 years a lot of good companies have stepped in the Indian market and we are confident that it will give a push to market for sure.