Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/437570
6 • December 29, 2014 • Powersports Business NEWS www.PowersportsBusiness.com EICMA's attendance rises by nearly 15 percent EICMA, the world's largest motorcycle industry trade show held annually in Milan, Italy, once again proved that it's at the top for both trade and consumers. Open the first two days to trade and media only, the final two days of the November event bring it a flood of consumers. In fact, a record 628,600 attendees crossed through the gates of Fiera Milano. "The industry has shown what it can do in terms of products, components and acces- sories, confirming its profound commitment to research & development for an industry at the forefront of progress," said Antonello Mon- tante, chairman of EICMA S.p.A. "Unlike the generalized trend that sees a noticeable drop in attendance where all the other trade fairs are concerned, EICMA recorded a 14.7 per- cent increase over the 2013 edition (which had already achieved an 8 percent increase). The public responded with great passion and interest to a trade fair that today stands for concreteness and excellence, in addition to being the most important event in the world — the best demon- stration to celebrate the 100th anniversary." The six pavilions and the exterior grounds of the trade fair, extending over an area of 280,000 square meters (more than 3 million square feet), hosted 1,053 exhibitors from 34 countries. There were 45,910 trade visitors, about the same number as last year. Europe led with 69 percent of the visitors, followed by Asia (19 percent) and the U.S. (9 percent). Italian government officials came out in droves to celebrate the centennial anniversary: the Minister of Infrastructures and Transporta- tion, Maurizio Lupi; the Minister of Economic Development, Federica Guidi; the Undersecre- tary to the Ministry of Economic Development, Simona Vicari; the President of Confindustria, Giorgio Squinzi; the President of BusinessEu- rope, the alliance of European business associa- tions, Emma Marcegaglia. The 2015 event will take place Nov. 2-3 for media and trade, and Nov. 4-5 for consumer. EICMA was visited by 6,945 media profes- sionals, with 70 percent from Europe, 17 percent from Asia and 12 percent from the U.S. PSB World's largest industry trade show draws 600K 1. 3. 4. 6. 9. 10. 12. 11. 8. 5. 2. 1) Australian moto journalist Peter "The Bear" Thoeming was caught reading the PSB Market Data Book in front of the Duomo, Milan's cathedral, during a break in the show action at EICMA in Milan, Italy. 2) KYMCO contin- ued its 50th annivesary celebration in Milan. 3) BMW pulled the cover off its S 1000 XR adventure sport bike. 4) Ryan Villopoto's decision to race in the MXGP on four continents in 2015 was big news overseas. 5) Booths at EICMA feature a range of interesting presentations. 6) Triumph revealed its 2015 XCx. 7) MV Agusta was one of the many Italian brands that helped to create a memorable atmosphere at EICMA. 8) In Milan, food takes on otherwordly status, including at the EICMA 100th Anniversary Industry Party sponsored by Pirelli. 9) Americans are not abundant at EIMCA, but two recognizable faces were Mark Blackwell and Jon-Erik Burleson from KTM/Husqvarna. 10) The annual EICMA press conference brought out such luminaries as Marc Marquez and Giacomo Agostini. 11) Valentino Rossi helped Yamaha reveal a pair of all-new YZF-R1 sport bikes. 12) Dustin Schaller (right), senior product manager at Dynojet Research in Nevada, assisted a distributor. 13) Similarly, Ducati's press event included news that 2014 was the best sales year ever for its motorcycles. The celebration and dancing continued with the Scrambler reveal. 7. 13.