FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN)—Eurobike’s first ever outdoor demo day, at Eichenberg, Austria, a venue that's a 35-minute bus ride from the main convention center, got a heavy dose of Mother Nature Wednesday as rain fell widely throughout the region.
Despite a soggy start to the four-day expo, organizers said this season’s Eurobike is the biggest ever with more than 860 exhibitors from 37 countries displaying all sorts of bicycles, cycling apparel and accessories. One Shimano executive called Eurobike the industry’s premier show.
However, with rain expected throughout the week organizers will be counting heads to see if weather dampens turnout. More than 30,000 visitors were predicted to visit this lakeside resort on Lake Constance. Many were coming from dozens of foreign countries to get a look at 2008 products.
Still, Wednesday night, most downtown restaurants were packed and some were turning customers away as a drenching rain turned to light sprinkles. Demand for exhibit space was so high that Eurobike rented the Zeppelin hanger next to the exhibition grounds. Friedrichshafen is home to the fabled Zeppelins and was extensively bombed during World War II.
The expo covers 13 trade show halls and more than 76,000 square meters of space. —Marc Sani
