Quality Bicycle Products (QBP) has canceled Frostbike, a bicycle industry trade show, scheduled for February 26-28 at the company’s headquarters in Bloomington, Minn., and the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot.
The event was expected to draw approximately 800 attendees, including more than 500 retailers representing about 250 bike shops across North America, 200 participants from 100 supplier brands, and media and nonprofit executives.
In a statement posted on LinkedIn, QBP cited ongoing safety concerns tied to federal immigration enforcement activity in the Minneapolis metro area. The company said it has been monitoring the situation for weeks but determined that conditions “make it potentially unsafe for some attendees,” leading to the decision to cancel Frostbike 2026.
ICE Operation Metro Surge Impacts Events
The cancellation follows a wave of conference, trade show, and cultural event cancellations in January and February linked to ICE’s Operation Metro Surge.
In a LinkedIn statement, Nancy Shaffer, president and chairwoman emerita of the Live Events Coalition, said enforcement actions are disrupting the live events workforce, with some workers detained or afraid to report to jobs. “Events do not happen without people,” she said, warning that fear-driven workforce disruptions are already harming small businesses. While affirming that criminal behavior should be addressed through due process, the coalition raised concerns about how enforcement actions are being carried out.
Millions in Lost Revenue
The Frostbike decision reflects mounting concern within Minnesota’s tourism and hospitality industry, which says Operation Metro Surge is costing the area millions of dollars.
Hospitality Minnesota estimates hotel cancellations alone have reached $5 million to date. Revenue declines among hotels and restaurants range from 40% to 80%, according to the organization.
Meet Minneapolis, the city’s destination marketing organization, reported similar findings. According to recent surveys, 90% of business owners reported being negatively affected by Operation Metro Surge. Eighty percent reported having to change their operations or services, and 72% said they are facing staffing shortages as employees fear leaving their homes amid ongoing enforcement activity.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has estimated that local businesses are losing between $10 million and $20 million per week due to Operation Metro Surge.
In response, Meet Minneapolis launched MPLS for MPLS, a community campaign encouraging residents to support local businesses as losses continue to mount.
 has canceled Frostbike, a bicycle industry trade show, scheduled for February 26-28 at the company’s headquarters in A major cycling industry trade show is the latest gathering to be canceled in the Minneapolis area as federal immigration enforcement actions continue to disrupt the region’s meetings, tourism, and hospitality sectors.){kind=link}