Georgia to host 2010 IMBA international summit

The 2010 International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) World Summit is going to August, Georgia, on May 5-8. The event, expected to be the largest yet in IMBA's history, will be open to the public and will have the theme "Great communities build great trails."

"It is truly an honor to host the IMBA gathering in Augusta," said Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver. "Our city continues to grow in its reputation as a bicycling destination, and this event will showcase our region to a worldwide audience of trail enthusiasts."

Summit topics will cover destination and urban trail networks, land conservation and sustainable trails, youth outreach and new programs designed to grow local capacity for the 700+ clubs and patrols in IMBA's global network. The gathering will also include parties and riding at the local Forks Area Trail System (FATS), an IMBA Epic location.

"The Augusta summit will serve as an essential clearinghouse to advance information on everything to do with mountain biking and trail-based recreation," said IMBA Executive Director Mike Van Abel. "We will bring leaders in trail design together with land managers, the bicycle industry and IMBA's thriving grassroots clubs. These are the key influencers that shape the sport, and only an IMBA summit can connect them all in the same place, at the same time."