The concept is already being adapted for 2017, with three days of trade fair followed by a public day and the trade fair running from Wednesday to Saturday. In 2018, the trade fair at Lake Constance will be upside down. The bike industry's get-together will start on Monday, July 8 - and thus move forward by almost two months. The trade fair organizers are thus taking into account the fact that the industry presents its innovations early in the year and that several exhibitors are focusing on their own in-house trade fairs. It is hoped that the earlier date will mean that Eurobike will once again become a trade fair for new products and that the industry will be more united behind the event. The shift to the start of the week could also be advantageous for specialist retailers, as the trade fair can be visited on a Monday and the business will suffer no or fewer sales losses.

Here, exhibitors have their say on what they think of the new Eurobike concept.

Reto Aeschbacher, Brand Manager Scott Sports S.A.:

"Scott has been a Eurobike exhibitor from the very beginning and will continue to fly the flag at Lake Constance in the coming years. We see the clear need for a central industry platform for the professional exchange between industry, trade, media, politics, business and tourism, but also to maintain a clear statement and charisma of the bike theme. It is important that the industry comes together once a year and makes a clear statement; this is the only way we can promote the topic of bikes on a broad front.
Over the years, our cycles have changed and many decisions are made earlier. The new path that Eurobike is taking - from the stronger specialist focus in future to the July date in 2018 - is the right step to remain relevant. It reduces the time and costs involved and leads to greater efficiency, which will be crucial in the future."

Tamara Winograd, Director Marketing Communication, Robert Bosch GmbH:

"Eurobike is the industry meeting of the year. Every year, more than 1,000 manufacturers from all over the world present new products at the leading international trade fair. The trade fair in Friedrichshafen offers us an ideal platform: this is where trends are set. Bosch eBike System will also be presenting its current portfolio, innovations and further developments at Eurobike in 2017. We are looking forward to it!"

Claudio Marra, Managing Director FSA:

"We are convinced that it is necessary to move the Eurobike trade fair forward. September is too late for our current business processes. New bikes and components are already available or have been discussed at other events and in the media. As a result, we miss the original way in which new products were discovered at Eurobike. We are big supporters of the new concept and are happy to support it."

Ralf Kindermann, Managing Director of Internetstores GmbH:

"We welcome the future earlier scheduling of Eurobike in July from 2018, which will allow retailers and manufacturers to present new products at the right time and offer a comprehensive orientation and ordering platform. Focusing on the core function of Eurobike as a trade show and the most important meeting place for retailers, industry and the media is logical and underlines our desire to have a comprehensive leading international trade show in Germany. Further fragmentation of the market into individual in-house and order shows is not in our interest."

Frank Peiffer, Managing Director Shimano Europe b.v.:

"We welcome the fact that Eurobike wants to strengthen the character of the leading global bike show and will take place at an earlier date in future with a focus on B2B activities in line with the industry's changing product and sales cycles."

Gaetan Vetois, European Marketing Director Sram:

"Eurobike is the biggest bike show in the world. Over the next two years, Sram will continue to use the leading trade fair as a platform to showcase itself and present its innovations. For us, Eurobike is a very important date and a unique opportunity to enter into dialog with as many OE partners, specialist retailers, media and end customers as possible."

Volker Dohrmann, Chief Brand & Product Officer Stevens Vertriebs GmbH:

"The experience at Eurobike 2016 was very positive for Stevens. The quality of advice, atmosphere, customer frequency and ordering behavior were all right. This leading global platform for exchange and business in the bike industry should not be artificially downplayed: Our trade fair plans for 2017 definitely include participation in Eurobike. We also want to remain true to this tradition at Lake Constance in 2018 - as do the vast majority of our customers and suppliers."