With 480 trade delegates and 40 exhibitors, the "first European congress for IBDs", held in Bremen last weekend, was deemed a success by organisers ETRA and Velo:Konzept. But there's recognition that more IBDs have to be attracted to the event. Shimano and Schwalbe, sponsors of the 2004 congress, will continue as title sponsors for the 2005 event.

bike.market.future needs more attendees, urges ETRA

“Not since Bike2000 in the UK have I attended such a stimulating and rewarding series of seminars," said ETRA president Nigel Hill, owner of Sidcup Cycles in Kent, pictured above.

ETRA is the European two-wheel retailers’ association, representing 6000+ moped and bicycle retailers in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Luxembourg, Switzerland and the UK.

Show co-organiser Velo:Konzept is a German IBD-and-supplier training organisation.

The bike.market.future congress was attached to a trade and public cycle show in Bremen, and is a seven year old congress that was previously Germany-specific. The congress was formerly known as fahrrad.markt.zukunft and ETRA believes it can be turned into a pan-European event.

BikeEurope was "international media partner" for the congress.

bike.market.future 2005 will be held 12-13th February.

This date has been added to the constantly-updated online calendar here on BikeBiz.com, and is also on the iCal calendar which can be subscribed to at the link below (your PDAs and PC/Mac year planners can be synced to this calendar).

http://www.bikebiz.co.uk/…/calendar.php

http://www.etra-eu.com

http://www.velokonzept.de

http://www.bike-market-future.com

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