Ironman announced earlier this week that the 2008 Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii would feature an expanded expo called Kona Demo Days. Does that mean that the Kona expo will soon be for triathlon what the Seaotter Classic is for road and mountain biking?
Keen observers had already noticed that the expos at California 70.3 and Ironman Arizona featured vendors previously not seen at other North American Ironman events. Through 2007 only licensing partners of Ironman or North American Sports, or those who did not conflict with existing licensing partners were allowed to display their goods in the various expos. According to Triathlete magazine publisher John Duke, "Ironman has opened up its expo to the entire industry and this move will certainly benefit the sport as a whole."
Will that move by Ironman kill the phenomenon of "rebel expos" that have sprung up at various North American events in close proximity to the official expos? At the Ironman World Championships for example, many stores in downtown Kailua-Kona are often rented out for big money just for Ironman Hawaii week to companies who could not get a spot in the Ford Ironman Village.
The Seaotter Classic takes place every year in early spring in Monterey, CA and has an enormous expo area. Around 300 vendors can often show their wares for the first time to consumers allow the press to see a few newer things. There are lots of races going on over several days but some visitors actually are lured to the event mostly for the expo. These visitors are even willing to pay for that pleasure. Kona most likely won't be able to draw in people to just see the expo, but unlike Monterey they can count on a captive audience of racers, friends and family with little other distractions.
The Kona Demo Days will be located inside the Ford Ironman Village at Hale Halfway in the heart of downtown Kailua-Kona on Alii Drive and has undeniably one of the most amazing views of any expo anywhere. (see pic)
Some of the companies who have already committed to the inaugural event include Cannondale, Felt, Kuota and Zoot Sports.
Gatorade has been around Ironman for a long time
Timex has also been a long time licensing partner of Ironman