EICMA 2021 - "A tank full of passion"
That is how the Italian motorcycle industry trade association that organises EICMA (ANCMA) described this year's "return of the king" of annual international motorcycle industry shows.
Calling it a return of "pre-pandemic enthusiasm and confidence for the International Two Wheels Exhibition in Milan" and a "test of strength for the industry" to "rekindle fans' dreams", the organisers claim that the attendance "reached the maximum limit of capacity allowed by the current legislation on the days open to the public" with 342,644 "presences overall".
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| Photos courtesy EICMA |
Italian expo attendance figures from the likes of EICMA and others are always "creative", always open to interpretation and conjecture, but based on what we here at International Dealer News saw on the first three days, including the first of the four public attendance days, our forecast that the smaller show (in OEM and PG&A vendor exhibitor number terms) would still attract sufficient visitors to keep vendors and numbers in harmony have proven to be true.
From the IDN perspective it was an excellent event, and the first time we had been able to go to an expo anywhere since February 2020. Here is the organisers' press release in full …
MILAN, 29 NOV. – "In the end it was passion that won - the great desire by the public to experience the event in person, the determination of the exhibitors and the desire by the trade to get back to doing business in person.
"The 78th EICMA, the International Two Wheels Exhibition, closed its doors on Sunday, November 30th, at Fiera Milano Rho with a success that takes the exhibition event back to pre-pandemic enthusiasm. This statement, after the forced stop last year, also takes on great symbolic value and confirms that the model of trade fair implemented by the historic Milanese show is up to date.
"Despite the contraction of the exhibition area, dictated by the consequences of the pandemic, in the four days it was open to the public, a total of 342,644 presences [were recorded] in the five halls occupied this year and in the outdoor areas.
"This result was distinguished by a visitor experience in complete safety and with over 94% of the tickets purchased online thanks to the decision of the organisation to avoid pressure on the ticket offices of the trade fair area - making EICMA the best attended event hosted at the Milan Rho fair facility since 2020.
"The international popularity of the exhibition event among business visitors was also good and, despite the latest restrictions and the difficulties linked to international travel, with 28,841 trade professionals (43% foreign) and 45,127 journalists, influencers, technicians and communication professionals (35% from abroad) taking advantage of the exclusive press day on the Tuesday.
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| Photos courtesy EICMA |
"The success of EICMA 2021 with the public did not end in the halls, but expanded to the outdoor spaces of the event which, as well as hosting the exclusive tribute to the career of Valentino Rossi, this year presented a rich and consolidated programme of exhibitions, performances, races and test ride opportunities which were greatly appreciated by the lovers of two wheels.
"First of all," the Chairman of EICMA Pietro Meda, said, "I want to underline that we concentrated our efforts to apply the rules on the control of the accesses very strictly, which entailed a major organisational effort in collaboration with Fiera Milano and with the approval of the exhibitors.
"The great presence of the public allowed us to reassert the international centrality of our appointment and to project it again into the future. Over the past few months, we have strongly promoted the correct behaviour during visits, necessarily also relying on the common sense of fans during their visitor experience. In the light of the restrictions in force, that result achieved is the best result possible. It is a test of strength made possible thanks to the trust of the exhibitors and their loyalty to the public, who responded with great enthusiasm. Our sincere thanks go to them."
Paolo Magri, CEO of EICMA, is quoted as saying that "it was precisely the commitment of the companies in the sector and of the partners that was decisive - the commitment to channel the great desire for two wheels that is coming from the market into a unique package of global opportunities and to display the results of the investments of the industry of reference and the future of mobility on two wheels."
The date for EICMA 2022 has been set for 8 to 13 November.
