Day 2 of the 2006 IMBA Summit/World Mountain Bike Conference was held in Whistler BC. Joey Klein delivered the keynote address. Klein, an IMBA Trail Specialist oversees the design, construction, and maintenance of trails around the globe. Klein spoke to more than 400 people and described the mountain biking destinations that he has created. He also helped create national mountain bike centres in Wales and Scotland, as well as promoting mountain biking throughout the world. Klein was also instrumental in jump starting IMBAs Trail Solutions program trailsolutions/index.html in 2002, after a three year stint in the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program.
WHISTLERS SUCCESS; INDUSTRY TENDS EXAMINED
After Kleins address, leaders from the bicycle advocacy movementas well as land managers, resort representatives and bicycle manufacturersgathered for seminars, including the following:
WHAT DOES THE WHISTLER MOUNTAIN Bike Park DO? Open question and answer session with the people behind Whistler Mountain Bike park. No question was too difficult, from trail design and construction to marketing strategies. Speakers: Dave Kelly (Whistler Mountain Bike Park); Rob McSkimming (Whistler Mountain Bike Park).
ANTICIPATING TENDS IN THE Bike Industry: Does the industry shape the mountain biking movement or does it shape the industry? The speakers will discuss current trends and answer the chicken and egg question. This will be a valuable opportunity for advocates, retailers, land managers, and all those involved in mountain biking. Speakers: Rob Jones (President Canadian Cyclist); Gary Sjoquist (Quality Bike Products).
PARTNERING FOR CONSERVATION – The joint efforts of Parks Canada Canada and IMBA Canada show the synergy between mountain biking and conservation. This joint effort, which combines singletrack with national parks, could set a precedent worldwide. As speakers describe the current pilot projects and the enormous potential of this partnership, join them. Speakers: Jim Hasenauer, California State University; Frances Gertsch, Parks Canada; Ed Yaeger, Parks Canada; Mark Schmidt, IMBA Canada.
DAY 2 CONCLUES WITH TRIALS DEMONSTRATION & BANQUET
Day 2 ended with a banquet dinner at the Whistler Conference Center. Amazing feats were performed by Ryan Leech, a world-famous trials rider, and Kris Holm, a mountain unicyclist.
