Sea Otter Event in Australia (Stromlo) October 2020

[AUbicycles]

Australia has struggled with independent bike shows for a while and the successful American Sea Otter show brings a slightly different format as it launches in Canberra, Australia in 2020.

Sea Otter tends to be MTB (but not exclusively) and is also recognised as a launching-pad for brands to release new gear, so is also a popular event for media. As opposed to traditional bike shows, Sea Otter tends to have more riding / engagement so the location of Stromlo Forest Park is a familiar MTB hub / location already.

The most important factor will be the participation of the distributers / brands - who have in recent years been increasingly reluctant to participate in shows in Australia. On the other hand, consumers / riders want to see as many brands together so I am crossing my fingers that brands take this opportunity and help make it successful...

For interest this event is being hosted by Bike SA.


Website: http://www.seaotteraustralia.com.au
Sea Otter Expo open October 3 - 5, 2020
Canberra, Stromlo Forest Park

[MichaelB]

Why would Bike SA host it in Canberra ?????

[AUbicycles]

A more viable / accessible / established location.

Bike SA appear to be fairly progressive, and this could be an example of this.

[trailgumby]

Stromlo has a bit of everything. Besides XC and DH MTB there is a crit track, and established facilities.

[caneye]

ah, i know it is still a year out, but Oct 4th will clash with Gears and Beers annual gravel event at Wagga (which is likely to attract a number of MTB enthusiasts too)

[AUbicycles]

And... postoned.

Even though this is due to take place in October and if humanity could properly isolate and overcome Corona, it is realistic that the ordeal would be well and truely over so October events could continue but:

On the Corona virus side:
- The Australian political approach has been slow and messy
- Enough people are not taking the right precautions

And for the Cycling Industry:
- With business almost stopping, extra marketing activity is not their first priority.
- Staff are currently either too busy on priority work / contingencies or they out of action and enjoying the holiday (less productive).

[MichaelB]

....

On the Corona virus side:
- The Australian political approach has been slow and messy
- ...
...

Interested in the reasoning for your take on this (not that I know the answer), but can only imagine that EVERYONE would do it differently in hindsight.

I guess my take is that it takes time to get all the ducks in a row and the right messaging. Could they have done it different/better ? Sure, like not letting cruise ship passengers onto land (I was never a cruise boat person before, but 100000x more so now !!) and closing borders earlier, but I doubt whether anyone really understood the potential early enough ?

For me, they key message is that the Chinese Govt cannot be trusted.

[AUbicycles]

Complex topic, I could talk about Murdochs Newscorp and Fairfax media. Also the obsession with trend topics at the cost of affirmative action.

Australia had an advantage of isolation and comparatively low travel numbers (compared to Europe and the US) so in this respect, there are also fewer carriers entering the country and observing the outbreaks in Europe has given Australian politicians and their advisors enough forewarning to implement stricter measures.

The Australian governments put economics ahead of the welfare of citizens and the economic and financial impact is a bitter pill that all nations have to swallow. But it means that nations that prioritise welfare like New Zealand, Canada, Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway (among others) tend to have better programs / systems already in place to protect citizens.

On other nations and their governments... there shouldn't be any surprises for anyone about the way the governments of countries operate. I think however a lot of nations however will look at their reliance on cheap overseas imports and how much the Governments switch to support local production.