Joel Smith - ANSWER PRODUCTS

How long has ANSWER PRODUCTS been coming to Interbike?

We've been coming since it's inception.

What is your focus for the show this year?

Basically giving information to the dealers so that they can pass that information on to the consumer. We have a pretty wide product range and a fairly technical product range so our focus is mainly to get the information out to all of the dealers that come and telling them our story.

This is the largest gathering of cycling industry representatives from all over the world. What is your take on the general attitude for 2002?

Cautious....... I think people don't really know what to expect this year so....... I think everybody's being pretty conservative and taking it slow and trying to hold out and see what's happening..... so that they don't have too much financial exposure out there in the market.

Will the Sept. 11th attacks on America and its effect on the economy change any of your business plans for 2002?

It won't change our business plans at all but it could potentially change the bicycle industry because historically as the economy has gone down...... people look for less expensive forms of entertainment and bicycles are certainly one of the less expensive types of recreation for leisure entertainment.

Are you happy with this year's show?

I think we are..... we've been busy the whole time which is a good gauge of the success of the show......... written some pretty good orders.......... but you never really know until you get back to the office and everything materializes. The industry attitude is up......but I think people are not really sure what's happening so........ everybody's in that same state of mind right now.