January 25, 2010 – The Bicycle Trade Association of Canada (BTAC) is reaching out to the Canadian Cycling Industry and conducting a series of small, intimate meetings with Specialty Bike Retailers and Suppliers across Canada during the first quarter of 2010. Having already conducted very successful Vancouver sessions before Christmas, BTAC is now inviting locally-based Retailers and Suppliers from regions across Canada to attend meetings in Montreal, Moncton, Toronto and Calgary during the month of February.

Attended by 6-8 locally-based members of the industry, each group will examine 3-4 key issues facing the Canadian industry, and discuss the ways BTAC can improve in its efforts to assist Retailers, Suppliers and our industry in the future. Hosted by Janet O’Connell, BTAC’s Executive Director, local BTAC Board Members and Rob Jones, BTAC’s Director of Market Research, each City will host two sessions; one for Retailers and a separate one for Suppliers.

“As an organization, we wanted to reach out and find ways we can improve our services to the bike industry. While surveys can provide an outline of the issues facing our industry and BTAC, they are not always enough, so we are sitting down around a table, face-to-face with our peers, and discussing real ways that BTAC can improve its value to members,” explains Janet O’Connell.

BTAC Focus Group Dates:

– February 10, 2010 – Montreal
– February 11, 2010 – Moncton
– February 16, 2010 – Toronto
– February 23, 2010 – Calgary

Please save the date you on your calendar now! These sessions are open to both Members and Non-Members of BTAC in the Specialty Bicycle Industry, and e-invites are being sent out now. Look for your e-mail invite to your local meeting OR contact Janet O’Connell at 1.886.528.2822 or joconnell@btac.org.

About the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada (BTAC) – The Bicycle Trade Association of Canada (BTAC) is the national voice of cycling in Canada and the hub of the Canadian bicycle industry. BTAC advocates, builds partnerships, promotes trade and commerce and seeks to motivate, unite and inspire Canadians to make bicycling the pre-eminent form of transportation and recreation in Canada. See www.btac.org for more information.