Mississippi Valley Bike + Outdoor Expo Sets Dates for 2019Expands to Two Days and Selects St. Louis Union Station Hotel as New Venue
MV Bike Expo "We surveyed our exhibitors and attendees from the past two years and asked them where they would like to see the show held. The overwhelming majority of those who responded said they wanted the Expo to be relocated to St. Louis," said Brad Kovach, editor/publisher of Terrain. "St. Louis Union Station Hotel offers 56,000 square feet of space and a bright, inviting exhibition space that really fits our ethos. We look forward to building a future in our new home in downtown St. Louis." "The Expo was originally located in St. Louis at a couple of different venues and moved to the Gateway Center in Collinsville, Illinois, about a dozen years ago," Kovach continued. "The Gateway Center has been great to work with all of these years, but the event has grown to the point that we need a larger space. The Expo will now also be easily accessible by public transportation, which was another request of many attendees." With more than 100 vendors selling outdoor gear, sharing information about upcoming adventures, and advocating for an improved recreation landscape, the 17-year-old show is the premier consumer event and cultural gathering for the regional outdoor community. In 2018, the Expo attracted nearly 2,500 exhibitors and attendees — a 25-percent increase of the previous year. In 2019, a second day has been added to what was traditionally a one-day show. "We'll have afternoon exhibit hours on Saturday, January 12, as well as a VIP party that evening with food, beverages and music," said Kovach. "We want the expo to be more than a sales event. We want it to be an entertaining experience that people look forward to attending year after year." Among the features and events at the Mississippi Valley Bike + Outdoor Expo 2019:
Those interested in becoming an exhibitor or sponsor at the Mississippi Valley Bike + Outdoor Expo can find more information online at http://bikeandoutdoorexpo.com/ Benefitting BWorks The Mississippi Valley Bike + Outdoor Expo started with a bicycle-only focus in the early 2000s, and ticket proceeds the past two years have benefitted St. Louis BWorks and its Earn-A-Bike program. In 2018, BWorks received $7,250 from the event. "The Earn-A-Bike program aims to teach kids that they can set goals, and reach them," said Patrick Van Der Tuin, executive director of BWorks. During the free program, kids attend a series of hands-on courses held once a week for six weeks. "They learn about bikes, including maintenance and safety, but the other lessons they learn are even more valuable. They learn to solve problems individually and as a group. They also learn a sense of responsibility, as students must attend every session to graduate," Van Der Tuin said. Upon graduation, kids receive their own bike, helmet, light and lock and participate in a group safety ride with adults and peers. BWorks celebrated its 30th anniversary in October 2018 and has given away tens of thousands of bikes since its beginning. For more information about attending and exhibiting at the Mississippi Valley Bike + Outdoor Expo, visit www.bikeandoutdoorexpo.com. About St. Louis BWorks St. Louis BWorks Inc. is a not-for-profit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) institution. Its primary mission is to increase the probability of positive life outcomes for youth by providing them the incentive and opportunity to develop their academic, vocational and social skills through programs using bicycles (Bicycle Works), books (Book Works) and computers (Byte Works). Its work is funded mainly through the sale of refurbished adult bicycles. www.bworks.org . Facebook . Twitter . Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ About Terrain Magazine Launched in January 2014, Terrain Magazine is the only publication dedicated exclusively to outdoor recreation and active living in St. Louis and the Midwest region. Its mission is to provide inspiration, information, and access to products and services for those who want to explore the many facets of the outdoors, whether for competition purposes, for their health or simply for enjoyment. Learn more at www.terrain- Photo: https://www.prlog.org/ End
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