#WeMakeEvents BikeFest Spain raises money for industry charities
Spain – BikeFest returned to Spain last week with an 18-strong team cycling 360km to ISE in Barcelona. So far he has raised £16,000 for industry charity Backup Tech, and with your donations he hopes to reach £20,000.
This year’s BikeFest team included representatives from AELTC, Autograph Sound, AVIXA, Clair Global, Equipson, FLUX Creative Consultancy, PLASA, Reclaim Audio, Sharp, Stage One Creative Services, and Wonder Works. Additionally, the event’s strong community element has meant that BikeFest has seen some familiar faces return year after year, including his Backup Tech chairman Piers Shepherd, who joined the bike ride for the second year in a row.
The team departed from Valencia and cycled along the Mediterranean coast, stopping in Valencia, Peniscola and Tarragona. On the third day, the exhausted riders finally arrived at Fira de Barcelona, where they were presented with medals and certificates in preparation for the ISE trade show.
The vibrant ISE trade show reminded the team just how resilient the live events industry is, especially when compared to the empty venue at the end of the 2022 BikeFest ride. But the pandemic has left challenges around mental health and wellness, and industry groups like Backup Tech are tackling these challenges.
Backup provides grants to cover essential living and medical costs when you are unwell, health support including mental health first aid training, and a free 24/7 helpline to help those most in need. Provides a poverty fund. Funds raised from BikeFest allow Backup to continue its important work supporting individuals across the entertainment technology industry.
Now in its third year, BikeFest Spain has attracted huge support from across the live AV and events industry. Organized by #WeMakeEvents, PLASA and AFIAL, the 2024 edition of BikeFest Spain was proudly sponsored and supported by Ayrton, AVIXA, Equipson Group, ISE, LSi Magazine and SeeSound.
Nikki Greet, Director of Membership, Skills and Technology at PLASA, said: “It was a pleasure to support the BikeFest team on the road once again. BikeFest Spain has been a challenging and fulfilling event for three years and it’s great to see how much money has been raised for Backup Tech. Not to mention the meaningful friendships that have developed within our team. We can’t do this without your donations, so please do whatever you can to help our industry colleagues in their time of need.”
Juan Jose Vila, COO of Equipson, President of AFIAL, and BikeFest member added: “This is our third year hosting BikeFest Spain, and it’s strange to think that just two years ago ISE was postponed and we arrived at an empty venue. Our industry is under huge pressure and we need to raise money to help those in need. Year after year, our riders return to take part in this great cause, so please donate to their efforts. I would appreciate it if you could do that.”