Eurobike 2019 dates shuffled back to September in Friedrichshafen

Eurobike’s 2019 instalment will revert back to late summer in Friedrichshafen, with the organisers adjusting the previously announced dates to a new fixture running September 4th to 7th (Wednesday to Saturday).

“The wish expressed by numerous market players to move Eurobike to a later date in future has received tremendous support both during and after the past trade exhibition. We are now pleased to be responding to this wish and are moving Eurobike back to its traditional date at the beginning of September,” announced Klaus Wellmann, Chief Executive Officer of Messe Friedrichshafen.

The four day event will conclude with a consumer-facing weekend day and, contrary to industry whispers circulating at this year’s event, the show will not move to Munich.

This year’s event posted a 12% decline in visitor numbers, the sharpest the show has seen in recent times and something that was largely felt to be down to an absence of German bike retailers. The later calendar date will put the show once again clear of national holidays.

Head of Eurobike Stefan Reisinger explained the correction to the timing: “Compromises are not always the best solution. Although it is something that all players within the industry would like to see, we simply have to accept that there is no ideal date for a leading trade exhibition that suits everyone. Some emphatically demand the early date while others support the later timing. The convictions of the different trends are firmly rooted and even if we are in a position to offer every exhibition format, there is no blanket solution. It is now certain that a date at the beginning of September is the best possible period to organise Eurobike 2019.”

German Cycle Industry Association (ZIV) commented on the adjustment, adding: “The new Eurobike date is fully in keeping with the wishes of our association’s members. Furthermore, we are also picking up this opinion from other players in the industry,” said Siegfried Neuberger, General Manager of the ZIV. Also backing up his view was

Marc van Rooij, President of Shimano Europe said: “The decision of Messe Friedrichshafen to reschedule Eurobike to the first week of September 2019 and to reintroduce the successful public day is much appreciated and has our full support.  We are already looking forward to next year’s Eurobike in Friedrichshafen.”

A clear vote in favour of the subject focus of Eurobike 2019 also prevailed, which in addition to the purely trade-centred exchange on three workdays (4 to 6 September) is again celebrating consumer enthusiasm for the bicycle with the return of the Festival Day on Saturday, 7 September.

The practice of providing numerous highlights for representatives of the media and organising expert conferences on the eve of the show will also continue in the coming year on Tuesday, 3 September 2019.

Enabling journalists to test new products in a suitable environment, Eurobike’s Media Days will be taking place from the 2nd to 4th of July, 2019.