The Infotech organizer Velosuisse - the branch association of Swiss bicycle suppliers - was satisfied with the fact that the two-day event (7 and 8 January 2015) at the Army Training Centre in Lucerne was once again "full house" at the start of the year. This is the 13th edition of Infotech, where specialist retailers can get in the mood for the new season in an uncomplicated and comprehensive way. Visitors to the event will take away numerous inputs - from bicycle technology to the presentation of suitable operating software.

Sram offers a full dose of technical knowledge: Here, Amsler employees Roman Guhl and Toni Lecce demonstrate how to apply the correct grips to the new Rock Shox RS1 upside-down fork.

Flyer relies on a new seminar concept: after several years of business management know-how, the electric bike specialist looks beyond the horizon of the bike business with former top athlete Viktor Röthlin in a moving presentation.

Claudio Caluori tells the seminar attendees about his pump track project in Thailand. The participants learn what a square meter of pump track costs and what hurdles need to be overcome on the way to realization. Caluori also talks about his upcoming projects: Velosolutions is building a BMX track including a pump track at Swiss Cycling in Grenchen, and a pump track facility is also being built in Thun.

"Yay, a warranty case!" said Marius Graber with a wink. The bicycle journalist and Velociped employee explains the terms guarantee, warranty, goodwill and product liability and gives tips on how to resolve even tricky warranty cases to the satisfaction of the parties involved.

With Annemike Salonen and Nicole Edelmann, the topic is: "How do women make their purchasing decisions?". The mostly male Infotech audience and specialist retail staff will receive explanations on how to make communication between the sexes easier.

The next highlight comes after the first day of the seminar. The plenary hall is filled to capacity, with journalist/blogger Jürg Buschor, the aforementioned Marius Graber and Tropical Bikeshop Managing Director Reto Burki on the podium. The topic of the service desert of specialist retailers will be discussed, with blogger Buschor taking on the role of consumer spokesperson and Graber and Burki formulating views from the position of specialist retailers.

Halfway through the discussion, the focus shifts to the supplier scene: it is discussed that there is a service desert among suppliers in the sense that specialist dealers should be much better compensated for recall or warranty offers. Discussion leader Thommy May also put forward the idea of creating a label/certificate for quality assurance or improvement in the specialist trade. In the spontaneous vote in the style of a country assembly, it is estimated that around a third of those present voted in favor of such a bike store certification. Stefan Bührer, Managing Director of Sram supplier Amsler, also took part in the discussion, contributing the supplier's point of view.

Beat Muttenzer provides retailers with directly applicable tips in his presentation "Bad Internet, good retailer". It's not about getting into the ring with internet providers, but about keeping the web presence of a specialist store fit for the demands of 2015.

At DT Swiss, Friso Lorscheider explains which new products are in the portfolio and provides an outlook: DT Swiss will be presenting a fatbike wheelset at the upcoming Snow Epic. The marketing/PR specialist also has a prediction for the axle mass: Boost 148 axle dimensions on the rear wheel and 110x15mm on the front wheel are definitely making their way into the 2016 model year.

At Schwalbe, the audience is introduced to new technologies. First it's all about tubeless tires on road bikes. Then it gets interesting for mountain bikers: Schwalbe's marketing manager Carsten Zahn explains the advantages and mounting of the Procore double chamber system.

If the Mavic freewheel rattles at the start of the season and the defect is quickly repaired in the specialist workshop: Then perhaps the mechanic was at the Mavic seminar at Infotech, because there the participants picked up tricks and tips on how to deal with the French system wheels.

The master of the ring wrench: Heinz Limacher offers exemplary 1-to-1 on-site advice on how an existing workshop can be set up more efficiently. The workshop professional will also be showcasing his extensive range, which extends from fork oil to high-tech assembly stands.

Thommy May played a dual role: the industry expert and management consultant chaired the panel discussion. In addition, May gave valuable tips on how to find the right suppliers in the seminar "Therefore, test who binds himself for a long time" and he looked beyond the usual pre-order scheme.

After Infotech is before Infotech: The date for 2016 has already been set and the event will be held for the 14th time on January 6 and 7, 2016 at the AAZ in Lucerne.

www.velosuisse-event.ch