FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN)—Dealers, distributors and press will stream into Messe Friedrichshafen this morning by the thousands as the Eurobike tradeshow opens in Southern Germany. (Click on title and then open file to right of headline to view Eurobike PDF Newsletter).
In its 20th year, Eurobike hosts 1,180 exhibitors from 45 countries set up in 110,000 square meters of space at tradeshow hall, located near Lake Constance at the German, Swiss and Austria borders. Organizers expect more than 41,000 trade visitors, 20,000 consumers and 1,732 journalists over the three-day show.
Of the consumers, 65 percent will travel from more than 100 kilometers away to attend the show and 23 percent travel a distance of more than 300 kilometers, Klaus Wellmann, CEO of Messe Friedrichshafen, said during a press conference held Tuesday morning.
“This shows how attractive the topic of cycling is and it shows the expertise of the end consumer,” he said. Wellmann expects Eurobike to continue its reputation as a trendsetting show with exhibitors showing 300 novelties in the cycling, P&A, equipment, machines, tools and workshop and retail equipment sectors.
29ers will be big as the big-wheel bike craze hits the continent. Canadian supplier Norco brought its new 100-millimeter Revolver to Demo Day on Tuesday to build buzz in Europe about its line of 29ers.
“They’ve been out a lot. We could’ve used more 29ers even though they say the industry hasn’t been as quick to endorse them over here,” said Skip Swain, Norco’s vice president of sales. BMC also had on hand its hardtail and full suspension aluminum 29ers. European brands that have previously kept 29ers out of their lineups will also show their developments in the category at this year’s Eurobike.
Electric bike technology is sure to be showcased significantly as companies respond to the soaring demand for battery powered bikes Bosch, for example, will reveal its new its new 45 kilometer per hour system and auto maker Daimler will launch a new line of electric bikes under its Smart brand.
Regular show features such as the fashion show, Eurobike Awards, Travel Talk, Holiday on Bike, Lake Jump and E-bike Test Track all return this year. The show runs 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday’s consumer day.
(PHOTO: Workers put the finishing touches on the Corratec booth Monday afternoon at the Messe Friedrichshafen tradeshow hall in preparation for Eurobike.)
Click on above file to view Eurobike PDF Newsletter Day 1.
—Nicole Formosa
nformosa@bicyclertetailer.com
