800 exhibitors signed up Eurobike 2021 trade and consumer days

Eurobike 2021, scheduled to take place on September 1st through 4th, has signed up over 800 exhibitors in anticipation of the show schedule resuming some sort of normality this year, the organiser has said.

In a press release titled “most important bicycle industry players on board for Eurobike 2021” show Director Stefan Reisinger wrote: “the need within the industry to be at the ‘class reunion’ is bigger than ever. Everyone is eager for personal dialogue, wants to see the product highlights, talk about the challenges and enjoy the community spirit.

“Of course, at the moment there is still some uncertainty, but at the same time, there is big interest to be there. We are meeting the challenges and offering maximum flexibility, transparency and openness for all interested parties. Registration for Eurobike 2021 is still open and we’re offering a wide range of participation formats.”

This year’s event will run as a trade consumer hybrid again, offering the 1st and 2nd as trade exclusive days, the next as a mix of both and the 4th as a pure consumer event. This will be preceded by expert discussion forums for trade and industry at the Eurobike Academy, Eurobike Travel Talk and Eurobike Networking Dinner and the Bike Biz Revolution Conference the day before the show, on 31 August 2021.

In an interview on the Eurobike site, Reisinger addressed a number of concerns, spanning vaccine passports through to digital events as a viable concept for the future.

On the latter he said: “The (Eurobike Digital Days) event was definitely a big success. The premiere edition of the internet conference enjoyed wide reach. Digital formats are very effective for knowledge transfer. We learnt an important lesson though, as did all trade show organisers. Namely, that digital formats are no substitute for a physical trade fair – and never will be.

“Digital events can help promote dialogue and an exchange of ideas, but cannot replace a live trade show. In future, the ideal thing would be to combine both formats. I hope to see the greatest possible number of people back together here with us. Individual themes and blocks could be additionally supported by streaming them using digital formats. A big, physical, live event – supported by selected digital elements. This is what the future will look like, and I’m confident that it will work.”

With production schedules muddled and model years becoming a talking point for the industry, Reisinger also addresses the subject of manufacturers moving away from seasonal planning and the subsequent effect that may have on the show.

“Trade shows have a very different function to what they did ten, twenty years ago. We see ourselves as a kind of annual class reunion. And this is what many industry players have requested. Whether it takes place in September, June or even February is initially irrelevant. What is important is to have a common industry platform, to exchange ideas, exhibit brands and products both inside and outside the industry, to act as a vehicle for cycling, for political messages and for end consumers – enthusiasts, fans, young riders and future users. This is the platform that everybody wants and we can deliver it.”