Sporty, electrifying and innovative. The 27th EUROBIKE impressively underscored how the bicycle is becoming more diverse around the world and, as a sustainable provider of mobility, is offering an increasingly stronger alternative to conventional forms of propulsion. Once again, the leading trade show was able to present itself as an event that the international bicycle industry cannot afford to miss. “The relevance of the bicycle is increasing from day to day and the technology is advancing rapidly. With three thoroughly successful days, the EUROBIKE 2018 was a success, despite being proceeded by a controversial discussion regarding the earlier date. It has clearly proved how important the global exchange among industry professionals is within the framework of a leading international trade show,” said Messe Friedrichshafen CEO Klaus Wellmann, summing up the results of the event. A total of 1,400 exhibitors and 37,379 industry visitors (2017: 42,590) from 96 countries came to Lake Constance.
The strong presence of international market leaders and the record number of 100 new players with a high quality selection from all areas of the bicycle and mobility segment resulted in strong interest in the exhibition halls, which this year were only open to industry professionals. “No matter whether they had a sports or urban orientation: everyone who conducts business in the bicycle industry comes to the EUROBIKE – either as an exhibitor or as an trade visitor,” said EUROBIKE Head Stefan Reisinger, describing the unique selling point of the leading trade show. The newly introduced concept to strengthen specialty retailers was met by universal approval in the industry. “Although our premiere of Retail First, with strict admission management, led to a slight drop in the number of visitors, it also meant that the quality of visitors was pushed up to the highest level ever. Thus, the pure exchange between industry professionals at the stands was strengthened, even as the length of the show was reduced to three days. This confirmed the success of the Retail First measure and as such we will retain it in the future.”
At the exhibition grounds, where space was completely sold out, attendance was strong until the end of the show. For example, Bernd Lesch, director of marketing at Winora Group, spoke of an outstanding result: “Attendance at the show was huge, despite all of the gloom and doom predictions. Our most important customers came to Friedrichshafen, distributed across the different days of the show. We were able to use the show as a platform to present our new product premieres and already had had an amazingly positive response at the Media Days before the show. The number of visitors was simply enormous on Sunday, thanks to the presentation of our world premiere product Flyon. For the future, it is important to us to have an international flagship trade show, ideally in Germany. The consumer day, which will return starting next year, is very important to us as a company. It was not possible in 2018 due to the early date, which is why we are looking forward to next year, and the show in August 2019.”
The fundamental transformation underway in urban mobility was apparent most of all in the Rothaus Hall, A1, which had been conceived by the show organizers under the motto “E-Mobility Solutions.” From future drive systems and battery technologies to new solutions in connectivity and digitalization, and on to the hot topic of cargo bikes, this is where the great breadth of modern forms of mobility were presented. "The response to our market entry was impressive and the fair the ideal platform for it. The headquarters of ZF, our most important joint venture partner being here in Friedrichshafen, was another bonus. We have received a lot of positive feedback from OE customers and dealers on our product line. The topic of system integration was particularly interesting for partners who develop vehicles beyond the bicycle for professional use. Many people were happy seeing the brand Sachs the return to the bicycle industry. The start could not have been better for us."
At the EUROBIKE it was also clear that, in addition to demand for Pedelecs, which are experiencing a rapid process of refinement and improvement, demand for high quality products, especially in the sports segment, remains strong. Giovanni Caporali, Managing Director at Limar, the Italian helmet specialists, explained: “EUROBIKE is the biggest and most important show for us in the world and we had the possibility to meet many international costumers to introduce our new Air Revolution collection developed in cooperation with Astana Pro Team.”
With the large number of conferences taking place alongside the show in the framework of the EUROBIKE Academy and at the Travel Talk, 3000 test bikes at the Demo Area and 45 products honored with awards, the supporting program of the EUROBIKE 2018 was also impressive. The new Start-Up academy was also off to a fantastic start, as it brought newcomers together with established industry brands on Saturday and Sunday. A highlight for the young entrepreneurs was the Start-Up Pitch, at which twenty finalists presented themselves before a large in-person and livestream audience, with five being honored with the Start-Up Award.
2019 concept meets with approval
The concept for next year was already announced before the EUROBIKE 2018. In 2019, the 28th edition of the leading international trade show will take place from Wednesday, July 31, to Saturday, August 3 at Lake Constance. During its first three days, the EUROBIKE will be exclusively dedicated to industry professionals and will end on its fourth day with a targeted consumer festival for all bike fans. “ The date in early August 2019 is currently the time frame in which the largest number of dates preferred by the industry overlap, and the vote for a concept for the show that includes an appeal to consumers is very clear. We are now pleased with the additional approval of the date that we have heard,” said EUROBIKE Head Stefan Reisinger. For example, the supporters include Thomas Hild, CEO of SQlab GmbH. “In general, I have always been here with my own stand, I am an absolute fan of the EUROBIKE and Friedrichshafen. The reason why I think that the location and the show are so good is that everyone here has now known each other for years, and they meet every year like a big international family. There is a special atmosphere at this location. I also enjoy the warm and relaxed attitude of the entire Messe Friedrichshafen team. As far as the date of the EUROBIKE is concerned, I take the position that the date should once again be a permanently fixed one, and we also very much welcome the return of the public day in 2019.”
