Sea Otter Connect Program

Remember that before attending the talks, you must pick up your accreditation at the Accreditation Room.

09:30 - 10:00 SOE Connect Room

Reception & Welcome

Welcome coffee and networking session for conference participants, speakers and industry professionals.

MODERATOR:
Maurici Carbó. Director. Sports Tourism Consulting

10:00 - 10:30 SOE Connect Room

The new cycle tourist: profiles, behaviours & travel trends. Special focus in the french cycle tourist

Who is today's cycle tourist, and how are their expectations evolving? This session explores the changing profile of cycling travellers, from road cyclists and gravel riders to e-bike users, bikepackers, families and active holidaymakers. Through the latest market insights and consumer trends, speakers will examine travel motivations, spending patterns, booking behaviours and destination preferences, helping destinations and businesses better understand and respond to the future demand for cycling travel.

SPEAKERS:
Karine Lassus. Sykkle. Consultante vélo 360
Josefina Mariné. Director France Office at Catalan Tourist Board
Agència Catalana de Turisme

10:30 - 11:15 SOE Connect Room

Planning & Managing Cycling Destinations: France & Catalonia

How can destinations successfully plan, manage and market cycling tourism in a sustainable and coordinated way? Through the examples of the France and Catalonia, this session explores how regional tourism agencies and public stakeholders are developing cycling as a strategic tourism and territorial development tool, balancing destination growth, infrastructure development and environmental sustainability.

MODERATOR:
Karine Lassus. Sykkle. Consultante vélo 360

SPEAKERS:
Florence Gall. Délegué Génerale. France Velo
Josefina Mariné. Director France Office at Catalan Tourist Board / Agència Catalana de Turisme.

11:15 - 11:45 SOE Connect Room

Building cycling experiences. The partners behind successful cycling tourism products and events

What does it take to create a successful cycling tourism experience? Behind every cycling holiday, training camp, gravel adventure, MTB trip or cycling event, there is a complex ecosystem of partners working together to design, operate and deliver the final customer experience.

11:45 - 12:15 SOE Connect Room

Coffe break

Networking break with exhibitors, speakers and conference participants.

12:15 - 12:30 SOE Connect Room

Bike Rental market insights

How are cycling holidays, bike rentals, cycling events and active travel experiences being distributed and sold in an increasingly digital and AI-driven travel market? This session explores how operators, destinations and service providers are adapting to new booking behaviours, online distribution channels, personalization technologies and AI-driven customer journeys.

12:30 - 13:00 SOE Connect Room

Bike Rental 2030: Cycle tourism, bike events & digital distribution

Bike rental is becoming a key component of cycling holidays, destination experiences and bike events, driven by the growth of e-bikes, premium fleets, international travellers, and new digital booking behaviours. The discussion will address the future of bike rental in cycle tourism: online booking, fleet management, partnerships with hotels and tour operators, event-based rental models, logistics, pricing and customer expectations.

13:00 - 13:30 SOE Connect Room

AI, content creators & the new cycling media economy

How are AI, social platforms, creators and specialized cycling media transforming the way destinations, events and brands inspire, influence and sell cycling experiences? From YouTube and online communities to podcasts, newsletters, athlete ambassadors and short-form content, this session explores the evolving cycling media ecosystem and the growing role of creators, digital communities and AI-powered storytelling in cycling tourism marketing.

13:30 - 14:00 SOE Connect Room

Building win-win partnerships between the bike industry and cycling tourism ecosystem

How are bike brands, retailers and cycling destinations collaborating to create new experiences, reach new audiences and generate mutual value? This session will showcase emerging collaboration models and successful case studies, exploring how sponsorships, destination partnerships, product testing, ambassador programmes, co-branded experiences, cycling events and digital content are generating value for all stakeholders

14:00 - 15:30 SOE Business Club Space

Networking Lunch

Networking lunch for conference delegates, speakers and industry professionals.

15:30 - 17:30 SOE Business Club Space

SOE Connect speed marketplace. The B2B cycle tourism networking

A dynamic networking session designed to connect destinations, tour operators, accommodations, bike brands, mobility companies, media, creators and cycling industry professionals. Through curated speed meetings and open networking, the SOE Connect Speed Marketplace encourages cross-sector collaboration, new business relationships, content partnerships and innovative projects across the cycling, tourism, mobility and outdoor industries.

11:00 - 11:30 SOE Connect Room

Reception & Welcome coffee hosted by AMBE (Spanish Association of Bicycle Brands)

Welcome coffee and networking session for bike industry professionals, brands, retailers, distributors, startups and mobility stakeholders attending the SOE Bike Industry Summit.

11:30 - 12:00 SOE Connect Room

Spanish Bicycle Industry Barometer published by AMBE

Presentation of the latest Spanish Bicycle Industry Barometer by Asociación de Marcas y Bicicletas de España (AMBE), offering insights into market evolution, sales performance, consumer trends and the current state of the bicycle industry in Spain.

SPEAKER:
Javier López. Data Manager. AMBE.

12:00 - 12:30 SOE Connect Room

Spanish Bicycle Industry Barometer round table by AMBE

Industry leaders discuss the key challenges and opportunities shaping the Spanish bicycle market, including retail transformation, consumer demand, mobility trends, market recovery and the future evolution of the sector.

MODERATOR:
Jesús Freire. General Secretary. AMBE (Spanish Association of Bicycle Brands)

12:30 - 13:30 SOE Connect Room

European bicycle industry outlook by AMBE and Paul Walsh, CEO European Cycling Industries

Overview of the current European bicycle industry landscape, analyzing market trends, economic context, mobility policies, international competition and the future outlook for the cycling sector across Europe.

MODERATOR:
Jesús Freire. General Secretary. AMBE (Spanish Association of Bicycle Brands)

SPEAKER:
Paul Walsh. CEO. European Cycling Industries.

13:30 - 15:30 SOE Business Club space

Networking Brunch

Networking brunch bringing together bike industry professionals, retailers, distributors, startups, media and mobility stakeholders to encourage business connections and informal meetings.

15:30 - 16:30 SOE Connect Room

Country focus France. French market bicycle industry trends.

Focus session on the French bicycle market, exploring consumer trends, retail evolution, mobility policies, financing models and business opportunities in one of Europe’s leading cycling economies.

SPEAKER:
Florence Gall. Délegué Génerale. France Velo.
Julien Gauthier. Vice-president Union Entreprises Sport et Cycle

16:30 - 17:30 SOE Connect Room

Brands, distribution & retail transformation pulse by Tradebike & Cetelem

Analysis of the evolution of bike retail, consumer behaviour and distribution channels, including omnichannel strategies, financing solutions, leasing models, e-commerce and the transformation of the independent bike retail ecosystem.

MODERATOR:
Tradebike Toni Amat. Director

17:30 - 18:30 SOE Connect Room

Bike & mobility start-up presentations by Light Mobility Cluster

Presentation session featuring innovative startups from the cycling and mobility ecosystem showcasing new technologies, services and business solutions related to active mobility, micromobility, digital platforms and the future of urban and sustainable transportation.

MODERATOR:
Light Mobility Cluster & Catalan Sports Cluster

18:30 - 19:00 SOE Connect Room

Networking

10:30 - 10:45 Health Forum

Reception & welcome

10:45 - 11:15 Health Forum

Arrhythmias in Cycling

This keynote will explore the relationship between cycling and cardiac arrhythmias, the cardiovascular adaptations associated with exercise, and the importance of prevention, medical follow-up, and the early detection of potential risk factors.

SPEAKER: Ramon Brugada. Cardiòleg

11:15 - 12:00 Health Forum

Cardiovascular Health, Performance & Cycling

This discussion will bring together perspectives from cardiology, public health and technology to explore safe cycling practices, prevention, the relationship between health and performance, and the use of sports monitoring devices and wearable technologies.

MODERATOR:
Xavier Aldeguer. Metge especialista en gastroenterologia i coordinador d’Innovació de l’Hospital Universitari de Girona Dr. Josep Trueta i de l’Hospital Santa Caterina.

SPEAKERS:
Gemma Brunet. Coordinadora de Promoció de la Salut i Benestar de Dipsalut
Roman Freixa. Cap del Servei de Cardiologia del Complex Hospitalari Moisès Broggi.
Johanna Blanco. B2B & inReach Department Manager. Garmin

12:00 - 12:30 Health Forum

Coffee break

12:30 - 13:00 Health Forum

Glucose Monitoring, AI & Cycling

This presentation will explore how glucose monitoring, data analytics and artificial intelligence can help better understand the body's response to exercise, providing valuable insights for both health and cycling performance.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Josep Vehí. Especialista en intel·ligència artificial aplicada a la salut

13:00 - 13:20 Health Forum

Digestive Health & Cycling

This presentation will address the main gastrointestinal issues associated with cycling, particularly in endurance disciplines, and examine the relationship between exercise, nutrition and digestive health.

SPEAKER:
Xavier Aldeguer. Metge especialista en gastroenterologia i coordinador d’Innovació de l’Hospital Universitari de Girona Dr. Josep Trueta i de l’Hospital Santa Caterina.

13:20 - 14:00 Health Forum

Nutrition, Digestive Health & Diabetes in Cycling

This panel will combine perspectives from sports nutrition, innovation, technology and personal experience to discuss topics such as personalised nutrition, digestive health, glucose management and cycling with diabetes.

MODERATOR:
Xavier Aldeguer. Metge especialista en gastroenterologia i coordinador d’Innovació de l’Hospital Universitari de Girona Dr. Josep Trueta i de l’Hospital Santa Caterina.

SPEAKERS:
Cesc de Bode Oliveras. Responsable de producte de Finisher
Joel López Bercianos. Biòleg i bioinformàtic especialitzat en intel·ligència artificial aplicada a la salut
Georgina Agell. Ciclista i impulsora del perfil «Con diabetes también se puede».

14:00 - 15:30 SOE Business Club space

Networking brunch

Networking brunch bringing together bike industry professionals, retailers, distributors, startups, media and mobility stakeholders to encourage business connections and informal meetings.