MUNICH, Germany (BRAIN)—Messe München International has brought back its Bike Expo show for a second year, this time with more industry backing and new events.
Bike Expo kicked off Thursday in Munich and runs through Sunday. Thursday and today are set aside as trade-only days before the event opens to consumers.
This year, 257 exhibitors presenting 390 brands are set up in 30,000 square meters of hall space and 25,000 square meters of outdoor space. That’s an exhibitor increase of 22 percent and an exhibit space increase of 17 percent over Bike Expo’s inaugural year in 2009.
“Bike Expo is gathering speed,” said Markus Hefter, exhibition director. “The increase in statistics relevant for an exposition signalizes an extraordinary success. We are pleased to have been able to gather so many new, important brand exhibitors for Bike Expo.”
New exhibitors include Bionicon, Cannondale, Cratoni, De Rosa, Fatmodul, Mavic, Rotwild, Steppenwolf, TSG and Wilier Triestina. Brands like Abus, Adidas Eyewear, Focus, FSA, Kona, Oakley, Pinarello, Selle Royal, Shimano and SR Suntour returned for a second year.
Many new apparel brands are also exhibiting at Bike Expo this year including Craft, Northwave, Pearl Izumi, Vaude and Ziener.
The show’s focus is on urban mobility, one of the industry’s fastest growing segments, and numerous e-bike, fixed gear and singlespeed models are on display.
New this year is the Go Big or Go Home dirt jump contest for amateur riders.
Bike Expo is backed by the powerful German retailer association ZEG, which has caused some of its clients to feel pressure to be at the show, even though they would prefer to attend just the Eurobike tradeshow in Friedrichshafen in early September.
Some exhibitors have complained about the timing in early July being too early for product presentations.
SKS, of which ZEG is a large and important client, is back at Bike Expo this year but with half the booth space and half the number of employees. Eurobike remains SKS’ most important trade event of the year, said Marcel Spork, SKS global sales manager.
For coverage from the Bike Expo show floor, check www.bicycleretailer.com on Monday.
—Nicole Formosa
nformosa@bicycleretailer.com
