Intermot attracts 187,000 visitors – November 13, 2006
COLOGNE, Germany — Organizers of Intermot 2006 said more than 187,000 consumer and trade visitors from 120 countries attended the five-day international powersports fair.
The German Motorcycle Industry Association said the event, held here Oct. 11-15, attracted 20 percent more visitors than attended Intermot 2004 in Munich. However, while the Munich event was open to consumers only for two days, the Cologne event beckoned consumer attendance for its duration.
Trade visitors — non-exhibiting dealers, distributors and suppliers — accounted for about 30 percent of the visitors this year.
Of the 1,130 suppliers who exhibited within the 2.1-million-square-foot, 10-building Koelnmesse property, 327 exhibitors and 18 additionally represented companies came from Germany and 734 exhibitors and 51 additionally represented companies came from 36 other countries. Fifty suppliers exhibited at the event for the first time.
While more than 50 exhibiting companies came from the United States — most congregated in Hall 9, surrounding what was called the USA Pavilion — the largest contingents came from Italy, Taiwan, Spain, China and France.
North American vehicle suppliers in attendance included Harley-Davidson, Polaris Industries, Arctic Cat, BRP, Carter Brothers Mfg., Dazon, LS Motor Sports LLC, Global Moto LLC and Mod Cycles Corp.
North American aftermarket parts and accessories suppliers exhibiting included AFX North America, Inc., Pivot Works/Hot Cams, SuperTrapp, AIRHAWK, Inc., All Balls Racing Products, Cobra Engineering, Inc., Cruz Tools, Drag Specialties, Tucker Rocky Distributing, EK Chain – Kayo Corp., Electrosport Industries, Modern World Ventures/Suomy, Deltran Corp. Battery Tender, GPR Stabilizer, K&N Filters and Dynojet.
Also, Genuine Innovations, Handy Industries, LLC, Hot Toppers, Inc., Balboa Mfg. Co. LLC, J&M Corporation, Thrill Ride Sports, Inc., Kimpex, Inc., Kolpin, Motorsport Products, One Industries LLC, Symtec, Inc., Warn Industries, Ramsey Winch, PowerMadd, Thor MX, Tire Ball Development Co., Trail Tech, Inc., Dragonfly Clothing, Inc., Gears Canada Corp., Cruzin Cooler LLC, Action Fours, Inc., Save the World Air, Inc. and MAG’s Kuryakyn, Progressive Suspension, Vance & Hines and White Brothers.
Intermot 2006 marks the show’s return to Cologne after eight years. What is now called Intermot originated in Cologne in 1964 as IFMA (the International Bicycle and Motorcycle Trade Fair). The bicycle and motorcycle segments of the biennial show separated in 1998, at which time the motorcycle segment changed locations to Munich.
“We have been working very intensively to prepare for this trade fair in the 22 months that have passed since we signed the contract with the IVM,” said Oliver Kuhrt, executive vice president of Koelnmesse GmbH. “Of the entire array of requirements that we must satisfy, three in particular are simultaneously a challenge and a source of motivation for a trade fair organizer: attracting more exhibitors, increasing visitor turnout, and ensuring that the fair becomes even more international – with the overarching objective of securing Intermot in Cologne as the leading trade fair for motorcycles and scooters.”
“Our decision to bring Intermot back to Cologne has been proven to be correct in every way,” said Reiner Brendicke, general executive manager of the German Motorcycle Industry Association. “This is borne out not only by the large visitor turnout, but also by the fact that we were able to get more young people excited about motorcycles and scooters. Thanks to the manufacturers’ product premieres and innovations and of course the fascinating supporting programs, an increased number of motorcycle fans as well as newcomers and people curious about motorbikes were attracted to the event.” PSB
