Eurobike Portland cancelled…for now

In a statement released today by Messe Friedrichshafen, the company behind the Eurobike trade show has officially confirmed that they have cancelled plans for a September trade show in Portland.

Here is the full statement:

Eurobike Cancels Portland Show; Teams Up with Sea Otter

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN)-Eurobike has canceled its proposed September trade show in Portland and is developing a new show format with Sea Otter organizer, Frank Yohannan.

Klaus Wellmann, Messe Friedrichshafen’s CEO, said the German trade show company is only “postponing” its foray into the U.S. market. Instead, working with Sea Otter staff, Wellmann wants to create an event that includes consumers as well as dealers, manufacturers, and the media.

“We do visualize a spring and a fall show, the first of which is the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey in April,” he said. “With Sea Otter being one of the world’s largest cycling festivals, we feel that both organizations complement each other. Our aim will be to serve the industry’s changing needs without a lot of bureaucracy,” Wellmann said.

Eurobike organizers, one of Sea Otter’s key sponsors for this April’s show, will be on hand to meet with industry leaders about a second show and a new format. Sea Otter will be held April 12-16.

Yohannan said the industry describes Eurobike as the preeminent industry trade show, and that it’s an honor for him to team up with such a “terrific” organization. “We look forward to bringing the best of Sea Otter Classic and Eurobike to the U.S. market,” said Yohannan, who attended Eurobike this fall.

Lance Camiscasca, Interbike’s show directory, said he was relieved to learn of the September cancellation. “Now the industry doesn’t have to contend with competing shows in the North American market, let alone dealing with all the shows in Europe,” he said.

As for Interbike, Camiscasca said he would continue researching the market to make certain the show occurs in the right venue at the right time. “I also hope to learn more about the collaboration between Eurobike and Sea Otter,” he added.

Erich Reiss, who represents Messe Friedricshafen in the U.S., said initial reaction to the Portland show was less than positive as suppliers voiced concern over cost and another show in an already crowded September calendar.

“This is a perception that could hurt the industry in terms of greater costs,” he said. “That has never been the intent of Messe Friedrichshafen,” Reiss added. The fact that Eurobike had yet to hire a management team before it’s late October announcement also hampered plans for an event this September.

However, there were some within the U.S. industry interested in a change of venue away from Las Vegas, pointing out that Portland is a city that wants to become a center for cycling suppliers. “Many people from within the industry and also the general public sent us many supportive comments, especially for our choice of Portland,” Reiss said.

Wellman said it was the industry that had approached the Messe about an alternative show in the U.S. “We investigated the possibilities and came to a unanimous decision to consider organizing an alternative show in the U.S. which we feel will serve as an additional marketing tool on both continents.

“From the first serious considerations to the final decision and announcement, we aimed for an alternative kind of show with more of an environmental and educational emphasis,” Wellman said.