Exhibit Hall 2022: Catching Up in the Exhibit Hall

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by Maureen Becker
IPMBA Executive Director

The exhibit hall is one of the many reasons that people attend the IPMBA Conference. It is an opportunity for customers and suppliers to meet, for repeat exhibitors to introduce new products, for first-timers to try on the market and see if it fits, and for attendees to mix and mingle with one another as well as the company representatives.

After a two-year absence, there was a lot of catching up to do.

It is always a delight to welcome new exhibitors to the IPMBA Conference. It is an intimate affair, so it is impossible to get “lost” in the exhibit hall, even as the “regulars” enthusiastically greet their long-time customers and friends. Two of first-timers were also our newest Corporate Members – DuraBike and RECON Power Bikes – representing the two types of bicycles: conventional and electric.

As described in the 2022 Product Guide, DuraBike was “engineered to thrive in austere environments and require an absolute bare minimum amount of maintenance.” To this end, it has a steel frame, a sealed gearbox transmission, and a carbon belt drive system that requires very little maintenance. It is quite a sleek ride.

At the other end of the spectrum are RECON Power Bikes. RECON is described as “military-tough”, and its construction reflects it. With beefy frames; fat, aggressive tires; and powerful drive systems, they look ready to take on any terrain.

Also joining for the first time was APB Consulting Solutions. APB is a technology and training company with a focus on creating and maintaining safe workplaces through conducting threat assessments and preparing workers to respond to active aggressors.

Our final new exhibitor, PAX-USA, brightened up the room with their colorful gear bags, backpacks, and bicycle panniers. We’ve seen these bags at EMS World Expo and EMS Today for years and are happy they chose IPMBA this year. PAX strives to provide first responders with bags that are robust, lightweight, highly visible, and easy to clean and disinfect. See the 2021 Product Guide for a review.

Many repeat exhibitors are like family and friends, and this year was more of a reunion than ever. It was a party in the Patrol Bike Systems and Sound Uniform Solutions booths, even without Sally Swanson, who finally retired in 2021 after founding Bratwear (which merged with Olympic Uniforms to form Sound Uniforms) in 1992. Sound Uniforms kept up the tradition of outfitting the Command Staff with distinctive shirts in forest green over black, a nod to co-host Five Rivers MetroParks.

Meanwhile, in the Volcanic booth, the prototype of the forthcoming e-Bike was on display, sparking excitement in both regular customers and the curious. Founder Eric Kackley has taken on a new role as consultant, while Nate Keenan (retired from Omaha Police Department) and other business partners are running the show. In addition to supplying the lanyards and badgeholders and mechanical support, Volcanic generously donated a hot, orange bicycle for the raffle; it is now at home in Baton Rouge with Matthew Mayeux of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety.

Speaking of e-Bikes, Benelli USA was fully stocked up with a variety of models available for test rides and for use by students in the e-Bike workshops. Pedego Electric Bikes had three models available as well. Between Benelli, Pedego, RECON, and Volcanic, the e-curious were able to experience it all!

What would a bicycle be without a seat? Very difficult to ride, but ISM Saddles was on-hand to fulfill that need, offering saddles designed and engineered for a pressure-free ride. As usual, ISM donated saddles for the Product Showcase Silent Auction, too.

MOCEAN Tactical carried on their traditions by sponsoring the exhibit hall receptions and providing shirts for the instructors. The 2022 Conference Instructor shirts were bright yellow with reflective piping, making the instructors impossible to miss.

Unfortunately, a few exhibitors who were expected were not able to attend for various reasons, but they did not withdraw their support. 4Bike-Police was in the throes of a real estate transaction, Haven Gear was short-staffed, Police Bike Store had a family obligation, and R&B Fabrications was attending to a loved one’s health.

Although absent, Police Bike Store donated a CODE Bike for the raffle, everyone’s favorite water bottles, pens, and an array of items for the Product Showcase Silent Auction. They also sponsored the PESC and IC Night Operations, providing several C3Sports lighting systems to demo and give away to a lucky few.

The CODE bike went to DC with Richard Soule, a fleet mechanic for the U.S. Capitol Police.

R&B Fabrications supplied a set of panniers for the auction as well as the ever-popular string backpacks, complete with reflective striping.

Those bags were packed with swag from ATAQ Fuel, Benelli, Bike Index, EcoSheep, EMS World, Kettering Health, Officer.com, Pedego, Police Bike Store, Portage Notebooks, and Volcanic Bicycles.

Cygolite Bicycle Lighting Systems sponsored the Nightlife District Operations & Tactics workshop, and made demo lights available for attendees to experience.

Bike Index sponsored the Bike Theft Prevention Task Force workshops. Bike Index is a worldwide bicycle registry that helps riders recover stolen bikes through technology and community involvement.

The Product Showcase Silent Auction is an opportunity for companies to display their products throughout the conference. The items are then auctioned to the highest bidder, with the proceeds benefiting IPMBA’s programs.

The following companies donated items to the auction: Barmitts, Bellwether Clothing, BiSaddle, Cateye, Crowne Plaza Knoxville, Cygolite, Eric Roth, Gordon Cairns, Greg Bowen, IPMBA, ISM, Louka Tactical, Maureen Becker, Pedaling Innovations, Police Bike Store, R&B Fabrications, Sound Uniform Solutions, The Galeo Group, TOGS, and Visit Knoxville.

IPMBA thanks our industry partners for their support and for sticking with us throughout the turbulent years of 2020 and 2021. Public safety cycling is a niche, which requires a solid commitment to public safety personnel who serve their communities from a bicycle. We encourage you to show your appreciation for their loyalty by patronizing our industry partners whenever possible.

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