Record exhibitor numbers at OutDoor and Eurobike
Despite the economic crisis, the outdoor and cycling sectors appear to be thriving. According to Messe Friedrichshafen, more companies have made advance bookings for exhibition space at OutDoor (July 16–19) and Eurobike (2–5) than ever before.
According to Rolf Schmid, president of European Outdoor Group, the economic downturn could even offer good opportunities. “Our industry will benefit from the change in social values. Consumers are spending their money on recreation, their health and leisure time,” he said.
Two recently completed exhibition halls, as well as the new East Entrance, will be available for OutDoor. “Exhibition space at Messe Friedrichshafen now totals 85,000m²,” said Klaus Wellmann, managing director of Messe Friedrichshafen. “We are very pleased to have managed to fill the additional space with high-quality exhibitors already in the first year.” The show has already booked 707 exhibitors from 39 countries, a 10% increase over the same spring period last year. Around 890 exhibitors from 40 countries have been registered for Eurobike, exceeding the numbers for any previous editions of the show. “There’s the opportunity during this crisis to further improve the bicycle’s position as an alternative means of transportation,” explains Christoph Goebel, CEO of Grofa GmbH.
According to Horst Penzkofer, head of trade show research at Munich’s IFO Institute for Economic Research, the increase is surprising. “Generally, the numbers of exhibitors and visitors at a trade show bear a direct relationship to the state of the economy,” Mr Penzkofer explains. However, Stefan Reisinger, project director of OutDoor and Eurobike in Friedrichshafen, said: “Both the outdoor industry and the cycling industry are benefitting from this emerging trend in the marketplace. And both are sending positive signals and will be introducing numerous innovations this year.”
