CABDA Midwest 2026 – Education Schedule

All times local. Show floor opens at 10:00 AM each day.

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

9:45–9:55 AM Main Stage Kickoff
WELCOME TO CABDA Midwest
Presented by: Heather Mason (NBDA) & Jim Kersten (CABDA)

Kick off CABDA Midwest with a welcome from NBDA and CABDA leadership, plus a preview of the day ahead. — 10 min

10:00 AM | Show Floor Opens
10:30–11:15 AM The Alley Education
Pedaling Forward: Growing Ridership, Workforce, and the Industry
Presented by: Jeff Donaldson (Project Bike Tech)

How youth engagement, education, and community partnerships can expand ridership while strengthening the pipeline for future mechanics and shop leaders. — 45 min

10:30–11:30 AM The Fit Zone Fitting
Technique Over Technology: An Analog Approach to Better Bike Fitting
Presented by: Matthew Schieferstein (Gear Up Velo)

Why observation, technique, and experience often outperform expensive sensors—and how to deliver world-class fits without heavy capital investment. — 60 min

11:00–11:45 AM NBDA Retailer Zone WIBI
WIBI SWOT Analysis: State of Women in the Industry
Presented by: Heather Mason (NBDA)

An interactive SWOT exercise examining strengths, challenges, opportunities, and threats facing women in the bicycle industry today. — 45 min

11:00–11:45 AM The Backyard Operations
HPS Survive & Thrive Playbook: Today & Tomorrow
Presented by: Mike Fritz (Human Powered Solutions)

A big-picture look at the evolution of Ebikes and what it means for retailers—covering safety, compliance, and opportunity. — 45 min

11:00–11:45 AM The Lab Tech
DOL Apprenticeship & National Bicycle Service Technician Program
Presented by: Mike Shapiola (Spin Zone Cycling)

How standardized training and apprenticeship pathways can strengthen the technician workforce and career progression. — 45 min

11:30 AM–12:15 PM The Alley Service
Ebikes: The Hidden Cost of Saying “We Don’t Service That”
Presented by: Michael Pasquali (Micromobility Connect)

Why service hesitation costs trust and revenue—and how clear processes can turn Ebike service into a profit center. — 45 min

12:00–12:45 PM NBDA Retailer Zone Retail
Margin Matters: Protecting the Healthy Margins Retailers Need
Presented by: NBDA Staff

A candid discussion on “margin rot,” true dealer costs, and collaborative strategies to restore profitability. — 45 min

12:00–1:00 PM The Fit Zone Fitting
The Psychology of Bike Fitting
Presented by: Dr. Christopher Biggs

A rider-centered approach to fit that emphasizes comfort, adaptation, pacing, and long-term outcomes. — 60 min

12:30–1:15 PM The Backyard Operations
HPS Survive & Thrive: Business Operations & Profitability
Presented by: Jay Townley (Human Powered Solutions)

A rapid-fire playbook covering tariffs, sourcing, efficiency, service optimization, and planning. — 45 min

12:30–1:15 PM The Lab Tech
Converting Opportunity: Ebike Conversions as a Profit Center
Presented by: Mark Ostlund (Electrify Bike Company)

How conversions can create Ebike revenue without deep inventory, including safety and compliance considerations. — 45 min

1:00–1:30 PM The Alley Sales
Mastering Premium Ebike Sales
Presented by: Rob Kaplan (BULLS Bikes USA)

Proven tactics for positioning premium Ebikes, engaging customers, and increasing average ticket value. — 30 min

1:30–2:00 PM NBDA Retailer Zone Data
Data-Driven Success: NBDA Market Intelligence (TrackFly)
Presented by: Stephen Baird & Brad Duncan (TrackFly)

How aggregated, real-time data can guide inventory, purchasing, and profitability decisions. — 30 min

1:30–2:30 PM The Fit Zone Fitting
Increase Revenue Without Increasing Inventory
Presented by: Craig Watson (Bikes Bikes Bikes)

A practical roadmap for building profitable fit services without heavy equipment investment. — 60 min

2:00–2:30 PM The Backyard Sales Ops
Unlock 5–15% More Profit: Sales Strategies That Work Today
Presented by: John Robinson (Johnny Velo Bikes)

Simple, actionable sales tactics that protect margin and improve profitability per transaction. — 30 min

2:00–2:45 PM The Lab Tech
TRP Tech Clinic
Presented by: Jumpin’ Jerry Vanderpool

Hands-on insights and best practices for servicing Tektro/TRP components. — 45 min

2:30–3:15 PM Tech Room One Tech
Diagnosing Ebikes 2.0
Presented by: Michael Pasquali (Micromobility Connect)

Advanced diagnostics and workflows to improve consistency and service revenue. — 45 min

2:30–3:00 PM The Alley Sales
Dealing Trikes: A Risk-Free Business Opportunity
Presented by: Thomas Wilkens & Paul Hollants (HP Velotechnik)

How adult trikes can expand your customer base with strong margins and low risk. — 30 min

3:00–3:45 PM NBDA Retailer Zone Retail
Building Bridges: Retailers & Suppliers in the D2C Era
Presented by: NBDA Staff

Turning D2C friction into collaboration through service, warranty, and assembly partnerships. — 45 min

3:00–4:00 PM The Fit Zone Fitting
The Untapped Revenue Engine: Professional Bike Fitting
Presented by: Dr. Jeanne Williams (Quest Health)

How fitting drives loyalty, service revenue, and long-term cycling participation. — 60 min

3:00–3:30 PM The Backyard Panel
Hug the Porcupine: Making D2C Brands Work for Retail
Presented by: Rob Kaplan, Richard Wittenberg & Tim Akers

A candid panel on profiting alongside D2C brands in a hybrid retail world. — 30 min

3:30–4:00 PM Hollywood Racks Booth Sales
Retirees, RVs & Ebikes
Presented by: Sean Kneale (Hollywood Racks)

How to properly transport Ebikes on RVs and keep traveling customers happy. — 30 min

3:30–4:00 PM The Alley Retail
How Used Bicycles Can Boost Shop Profits
Presented by: Jonathan Minks (Johnny Rock Bikes)

From sourcing to refurbishment, learn how used bikes deliver some of the strongest margins. — 30 min

3:30–4:00 PM The Lab Retail
Unlocking the Folding Bike Market
Presented by: Dahon Team Members

Strategies for selling, merchandising, and growing confidence in folding bikes. — 30 min

4:00–4:30 PM The Backyard Retail
Measuring What Matters: Building a Supplier Scorecard
Presented by: Anthony Mikrut (PGW)

A practical framework for evaluating suppliers to improve buying decisions and profitability. — 30 min

4:00–4:30 PM NBDA Retailer Zone Networking
Women in the Cycling Industry Mingle
Presented by: Heather Mason (NBDA)

An open networking session celebrating women across retail, brands, and service. — 30 min

5:00 PM | Show Close
5:30 PM | CABDA Afterparty

Thursday, February 5, 2026

9:45–9:55 AM Main Stage Kickoff
Welcome to CABDA Midwest – Day 2
Presented by: Heather Mason (NBDA) & Jim Kersten (CABDA)

Day-two welcome and overview of the day’s programming. — 10 min

10:00 AM | Show Floor Opens
10:30–11:30 AM The Fit Zone Fitting
Difficult Anatomical Presentations in Bike Fit
Presented by: Anne Barnes

A roundtable on challenging fit cases, assessment strategies, and rider outcomes. — 60 min

10:45–11:30 AM NBDA Retailer Zone Retail
The Drive to Thrive: Top Tips for Retailers in 2026
Presented by: Heather Mason (NBDA)

A fast, interactive masterclass sharing peer-tested strategies for margins, inventory, and service excellence. — 45 min

11:00–11:45 AM The Alley Service
Ebikes: The Hidden Cost of Saying “We Don’t Service That”
Presented by: Michael Pasquali (Micromobility Connect)

Why service avoidance quietly erodes trust—and how to fix it. — 45 min

11:00–11:45 AM The Lab Tech
Demystifying Tech for Modern Bike Shops
Presented by: Brett Lang (Ikeono)

Using POS, inventory, communication tools, and AI to simplify operations and improve customer experience. — 45 min

12:00–12:30 PM The Backyard Operations
HPS Survive & Thrive Playbook: Today – Tomorrow
Presented by: Jay Townley (Human Powered Solutions)

A concise operations and profitability roadmap for today’s retail environment. — 30 min

12:00–1:00 PM The Fit Zone Fitting
Bike Fitting: The Foot/Shoe Interface
Presented by: John Higgins (BikeFitR) & Chris Dimmick (Lake Cycling)

How proper footwear fit supports comfort, performance, and smarter footwear sales. — 60 min

12:30–1:00 PM The Alley Sales
Dealing Trikes in a Risk-Free Business Opportunity
Presented by: Mathieu Aubel & Paul Hollants (HP Velotechnik)

How to add trikes with minimal risk and serve stability-focused customers. — 30 min

12:30–1:00 PM The Lab Ops
Stop Guessing and Start Tracking
Presented by: Patrick Clapp & Jim Vincent (Citrus Lime)

Using data and KPIs to improve decision-making and shop profitability. — 30 min

1:00–1:45 PM NBDA Retailer Zone WIBI
WIBI Case Scenario Workshop
Presented by: Heather Mason (NBDA)

Work through real-world scenarios involving equity, workplace dynamics, and supplier relationships. — 45 min

1:30–2:00 PM The Backyard Operations
HPS Survive & Thrive: Ebike Evolution & Retail Impact
Presented by: Mike Fritz (Human Powered Solutions)

What the evolution of Ebikes means for safety, liability, and retail opportunity. — 30 min

2:00–2:30 PM The Alley Marketing
The Bike Shop Marketing Blueprint: From First Click to Door Swing
Presented by: Brandon Morphew (Miso Partners)

A proven system to convert online intent into booked service and in-store revenue. — 30 min

2:00–2:45 PM The Lab Tech
TRP Tech Clinic
Presented by: Jumpin’ Jerry Vanderpool

Hands-on service insights from Tektro/TRP. — 45 min

2:30–3:15 PM Tech Room One Tech
Diagnosing Ebikes 2.0
Presented by: Michael Pasquali (Micromobility Connect)

Advanced diagnostic techniques to reduce comebacks and boost service revenue. — 45 min

3:00–3:30 PM The Alley Trends
The New Customer Reality: AI Makes Expertise More Valuable
Presented by: Workstand

How AI reshapes customer expectations—and what shops must do to stay relevant. — 30 min

3:00–3:45 PM The Lab Workforce
DOL Apprenticeship & National Bicycle Service Technician Program
Presented by: Mike Shapiola (Spin Zone Cycling)

Building the next generation of professional bike technicians. — 45 min