IFMA Changes Course

COLOGNE, Germany – According to the Cologne Messe the 2008 IFMA will be the last edition as a single bike show. The Cologne bike show has been struggling for years and finally has decided to change its course. As of October 2010 IFMA and the motorcycle show Intermot will be integrated into one big two-wheeler show in a bi-annual pace.

With the decision to integrate both shows the IFMA is turning back to its roots. Until 1998 the bicycle and powered two-wheeler industry presented itself in Cologne. “With the decision to integrate both shows, Cologne will again become the international business platform for the two-wheeler industry”, says Koelnmesse GM Oliver Kurht.

“This new strategy is based on the huge potential of the bi-annual Intermot which has become the leading European motorcycle show together with EIMCA. This year some 200,000 visitors are expected at Intermot. Although the bicycle and motorcycle industry are always regarded as two separate worlds, there are also a lot of similarities, like the e-Bike and e-Scooter," according to GM Kurht.

Rolf Lemberg of the German industry association ZIV said: “The integration of both shows will have several synergy effects that will result in more national and international visitors.”

This year’s IFMA, as said, the last edition as a single bike show, takes place from 18 September to 21 September, 2008. This year’s Intermot is from 8 to 12 October 2008. Around 1,100 exhibiting companies from around 40 countries are expected.