TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN)—On Tuesday afternoon, the Nangang Exhibition Hall in Taipei bustled with activity as local workers hammered together booths, hanging company logos, painting walls and setting up product displays in preparation for the 23rd annual Taipei Cycle’s Wednesday opening.
More than 3,000 booths will fill four floors of the convention center as exhibitors from around the world show 2010 product to distributors for aftermarket sales or tie up any lingering spec decisions for 2011 with OEMs.
An Outdoor Demo takes place in conjunction with the four-day trade show with 25 brands offering bikes for test rides. A test track for electric bikes will also be set up outside.
Colnago is one of many brands that uses the show to bring all of its distributors together. This year, the storied Italian brand will also offer a peek at prototype bikes, said company founder Ernesto Colnago.
“Some of them will be introduced to our customers next September, some will not,” Colnago said. The show also offers a window into the growing domestic market.
“Taiwan 10 years ago was a marginal market. Five years ago it was interesting. Today, Taiwan is a premium market,” he said.
In all, exhibitors from 32 countries are scheduled to attend.
Taipei Cycle kicks off with a grand opening Wednesday morning sponsored by organizers Taiwan External Trade Development Council and the Taiwan Bicycle Exporters’ Association.
This year’s show is expected to be the biggest in Taipei Cycle history with about 50,000 trade and consumer visitors expected.
Click on above for PDF newsletter of Day 1 from Taipei.
—Nicole Formosa
