COLOGNE, Germany (BRAIN)—IFMA is ending its run as a stand-alone bicycle industry trade show.
This year’s show in September will be IFMA’s last, show organizer Koelnmesse announced this week. After a year off in 2009, IFMA will merge with the International Motorcycle and Scooter Fair, or Intermot, in October 2010. Intermot is staged every two years.
“Bicycles will be a useful addition to the already very successful INTERMOT and will increase its popularity as the sector's leading trade fair in Europe,” said Reiner Brendicke, executive director of the German Motorcycle Industry Association.
“From 2010 Cologne will represent the comprehensive international range of products for motorized and unmotorized two-wheelers all in one place at one time,” said Oliver Kuhrt, executive vice president of Koelnmesse.
Despite its 44-year history and convenient location in Germany’s media capital, IFMA in recent years has been eclipsed by Eurobike. The Cologne show has focused on mass-market bikes including urban, trekking and electric models.
In 2006, IFMA organizers hoped that a move into new trade show halls would give the show a boost. While exhibitors praised the airy and spacious new halls—part of a $377-million facelift of the Cologne exhibition center—the number of exhibitors fell in 2007.
IFMA’s problems are not unique. The Milan bicycle show also merged with the Milan motorcycle show and moved to November.
IFMA is scheduled for Sept. 18-21. Last year’s event attracted 648 exhibitors and 48,000 trade and public visitors.
—Doug McClellan
