“The industry is booming.” “The time is ripe.” “Europe’s first dedicated bicycle trade show is coming.” These were the headlines at the launch of the first EUROBIKE in 1991. A total of 268 companies from 21 countries came to Friedrichshafen to showcase the world of cycling. Back then, the bicycle industry and the cycling scene could hardly imagine that such a trade show would be possible, including nine exhibition halls filled with everything related to bicycles, from parts to fashion and accessories.
Now, two decades later, EUROBIKE, which began as a mountain bike trade show, is recognized around the world as the bicycle industry’s leading trade show, and covers the entire spectrum of the cycling sector. Today the exhibition includes bikes for sports, recreation and everyday mobility. Over the past two decades, the bike event has developed at an astonishing pace. A total of 1180 exhibitors from 45 countries have registered to take part in the 20th international bicycle trade show, which takes place from August 31 to September 3, 2011.
To this day, the bicycle industry continues to boom, and has grown remarkably over the past two decades. During the early 1990s, mountain bikes were a source of growth in the cycling sector. Annual growth rates of over 20% demonstrated that these bikes had become a sales hit. Thus, the time was ripe for a new trade show focusing exclusively on bicycles. The EUROBIKE team in Friedrichshafen put this idea into practice, and its innovative exhibition concept made headlines in the trade show and bicycle industries. Market leaders came on board to present their newest products and innovations to the trade. The newly created test track on the open-air grounds featured an exciting supporting program for trade visitors, as well as for consumers on the show’s open day. Since then, fashion shows, test rides, the EUROBIKE Party and specialist presentations have all become part of EUROBIKE’s regular offerings.
2006: the first DEMO DAY
Since 2006, trade visitors and journalists have had the opportunity to get an advance look at the industry’s newest arrivals on the day before the exhibition begins. Over 100 international exhibitors will be on hand to present their newest products to trade attendees and journalists and offer test rides at the fifth DEMO DAY on Tuesday, August 30, 2011. Along with DEMO DAY, the EUROBIKE AWARD, which will be presented for the seventh time, will once again highlight the industry’s most innovative products. The EUROBIKE Fashion Show, the test track, TRAVEL TALK and HOLIDAY ON BIKE are all established events at the trade show.
Rapid development
The TRENDlounge is also an indicator of the rapid and exciting development that the world of cycling has undergone in the recent past. On Friday evening, during the EUROBIKE Party, 20 products from the trade show’s 20-year history will be shown in a select exhibition. The collection will showcase a wide variety of products geared toward technology and style, streets and off-road terrain, trends and exotic tastes. The 2011 TRENDlounge opens on September 2 in the Austrian Room (West Foyer, 1st floor). Admission is free for EUROBIKE ticket holders.
The EUROBIKE bicycle trade show on Lake Constance will take place from Wednesday, August 31 to Saturday, September 3, 2011. On the days when the exhibition is open to trade visitors, the show will open at 8:30 AM and close at 6:30 PM. On the open day for the public, Saturday, September 3, EUROBIKE will be open from 9 AM to 6 PM.
