U.S. exhibitors sought for INTERMOT 2006 – March 13, 2006
INDIANAPOLIS — Organizers of INTERMOT, the international motorcycle consumer and trade fair, say they expect a strong showing of U.S. products at the 2006 event, scheduled for Oct. 11-15 in Cologne, Germany.
A contingent representing the event had a booth at the Dealer Expo in Indianapolis and visited with suppliers to gauge their interest in attending.
“Our goal is to broaden the number of U.S. exhibitors and help them find their way into international export markets,” said Mette Petersen, president of Koelnmesse, Inc., co-producer of the show alongside the German motorcycle industry association, Industrie-Verband Motorrad eV (IVM).
The strong Euro may diminish the margins U.S.-based manufacturers find at home, but Petersen said companies are likely to make up for lost margins with increased sales. She said European consumers are particularly attracted to parts, garments and accessories sourced from the United States.
“We still see an untapped export potential for motorcycle and aftermarket manufacturers from North America,” she said. “The U.S. dollar devaluation has recently drawn a lot of attention to U.S. products, and companies exhibiting in the USA Pavilion will capitalize from that elevated interest level.”
Darrin Stern, Chicago-based U.S. Project Manager of INTERMOT for Koelnmesse, Inc., says preliminary talks with the U.S. motorcycle and aftermarket exporting community have been promising.
“Many companies we talked to are ready to remove their dependence from domestic sales and capitalize from the high level of export interest,” Stern said.
Stern said companies should begin planning now. For smaller companies unable to flip the bill for a stand-alone display, Stern advocates exhibiting in the USA Pavilion, a group exhibit designed to offer a cost-effective exhibit option and easily identify U.S. vendors to attendees.
“Displaying in the USA Pavilion really is the most cost-effective option for small to mid-sized companies and first-time exhibitors,” Stern said. “The package offers a fully furnished booth, including signage, electricity and lighting; an interpreter service; promotion to international trade attendees and the press; and discounts on exhibit material freight and hotel room costs.”
Full-price USA Pavilion booth space costs $455 per square meter. Koelnmesse, Inc., in co-operation with the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), will offer discounted rates of $410 per square meter to MIC members wishing to display at the event. psb
