The Bicycle Retail Education Conference (BREC), the first industry gathering aimed at educating retailers and suppliers, was held in 1995, sponsored by the National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA). As attendance grew, the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association (BPSA) joined NBDA in 2001 to promote the first joint conference, renamed the Bicycle Business Leadership Conference.

In 2008, the associations parted ways and BPSA took over the now rebranded Bicycle Leadership Conference (BLC) and hosted the conference for the next decade. In 2019, after five years of jointly hosting the BLC, PeopleForBikes and BPSA’s organizations merged, unifying the bicycling industry advocacy organization and trade association.

Today, under the stewardship of PeopleForBikes and their 160+ industry volunteer leaders on boards, subcommittees, and working groups, the BLC stands as the foremost bicycle industry event gathering for leaders to learn, network, and grow bicycling and the bike business. The event is created by bike industry leaders for the bike industry, and the related active transportation space, to shape a bright future for more and better bicycling.  

In our goal to grow bicycling and the bike industry, PeopleForBikes industry leaders use major campaigns and committee initiatives to come together to learn and tackle our most difficult issues. In this time of intense change, we use the conference to meet this tremendous moment for bikes. We want to keep all these new riders on their bikes and see nothing but opportunity for more and better bicycling. BLC — Dana Point funnels all of our industry energy and advocacy momentum in the same direction, aligned under our singular belief in the power of the bicycle to make life great.

BLC — Dana Point is tailored toward C-suite, senior leaders, and key decision-makers at bicycle industry organizations. The keynotes, panels, interviews, and breakout sessions throughout the conference are geared to provide insights into bicycle industry trends and the business challenges leaders face in the marketplace. 

The Bicycle Leadership Conference delivers curated content that will appeal to any leader seeking to learn, grow, and direct the future of bicycling and the bike business as a whole in the coming years and offers an excellent opportunity to network.

We are closely monitoring local and federal health and safety guidelines regarding COVID-19 and working with our hotel and hospitality partners to ensure that our event will be as safe as possible.

The 2023 BLC — Dana Point will take place in person from Tuesday, March 14, through Thursday, March 16, 2023.

BLC — Dana Point which will take place at the scenic Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa in Dana Point, California.  Situated atop oceanfront cliffs and the world-famous Doheny State Beach, BLC — Dana Point will take full advantage of the location and provide attendees with incredible content and local-guided rides and experiences during the three-day event.  

Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa
25135 Park Lantern 
Dana Point, CA 92629

Dana Point has it all — why not make the BLC part of your spring break? From the legendary Doheny State Beach surf break to the boutique shopping, local restaurants, and galleries of the Lantern District and Monarch Bay, as well as seven miles of stunning Southern California beaches, Dana Point has something for everyone. Whale and dolphin watching, off-shore fishing, yoga, spas, and wellness, a trip to Catalina, some of the area's best bike riding, and pleasure cruises are all within walking distance of the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa.

Early Bird Pricing for BLC — Dana Point (before February 10, 2023)
$1,399.00 for PeopleForBikes members
$1,549.00 for non-members  

Regular Pricing for BLC — Dana Point (after February 10, 2023)
$1,499.00 for PeopleForBikes members
$1,649.00 for non-members

Discounts are available for PeopleForBikes Subcommittee members. Please email your subcommittee lead if you have not received your discount code. 

Registration for BLC — Dana point opens Jan. 10, 2023.

Your conference pass includes:

Access to all conference, networking, and breakout sessions
Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner, and on-site cocktail hours
Daily ride excursions (road, off-road, e-bike) and non-ride activities (yoga, paddling, running, walking) hosted by PeopleForBikes

PeopleForBikes offers discount pricing for organizations with three or more attendees from the same organization. Contact Lily McCabe (lily@peopleforbikes.org) if your organization is interested in taking advantage of this offer.

We have a limited number of scholarships available for BIPOC, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and veterans to attend the Bicycle Leadership Conference. Please complete this form to apply.

PeopleForBikes’ Bicycle Leadership Series offers the world's premier industry education and networking events for bike industry leaders. Sponsorship opportunities at all levels are available. Contact Rod Judd, director of membership and industry engagement at rod@peopleforbikes.org or 720-217-9300.

BLC — Dana Point passes can be purchased online.

PeopleForBikes secured a discounted room block at the conference hotel — Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa — for $334 per night. Reserve your room at the discounted rate by booking online below, or ask for this rate when you call the hotel.

Host your team at the BLC! PeopleForBikes secured extra meeting spaces to allow teams to come together and meet at the event. Contact Monique Gonzalez (monique@peopleforbikes.org) if you are interested in securing a side room for your company or team.

Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa is situated along the coast next to Doheny State Beach. Find additional information below on getting to the hotel. 

Arriving by Air:
Long Beach Airport (LGB) – 45 miles
John Wayne Airport (SNA) – 24 miles 
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – 60 miles
San Diego International Airport (SAN) – 60 miles
Ontario International Airport (ONT) – 60 miles 

Arriving by Car:
From the north: Take the 405 Freeway South, which merges into the 5 South. Traveling past Mission Viejo and San Juan Capistrano, you will be looking for the Pacific Coast Highway exit. Exit onto the Pacific Coast Highway to the right, heading north. Proceed past two sets of stop lights to Dana Point Harbor Drive and turn left. Proceed a short block to the next stoplight and turn right onto Street of the Park Lantern. Proceed to the top of the hill and enter the resort's property.

From the south: Take the 5 Freeway North. Shortly after passing the City of San Clemente, exit at Beach Cities, Highway 1, to the left heading north. Proceed past two sets of stop lights to Dana Point Harbor Drive, and turn left. Proceed a short block to the next stoplight and turn right onto Street of the Park Lantern. Proceed to the top of the hill and enter the resort's property.

Parking at the conference hotel is valet only for $39/day.

‍Learn more about parking at Laguna Cliffs

Reducing waste and removing single-use plastics onsite helps us lessen our impact on the planet but it doesn’t account for the BLC’s largest greenhouse gas contributor: attendee travel to and from Dana Point. 

With that in mind, PeopleForBikes will be investing in Native to offset the carbon emissions from staff travel. We’re also providing attendees with an opportunity to offset their own carbon emissions by collecting a $15 donation at the merchandise table, which will go directly to Native and its mixed portfolio of carbon offset projects.