Coronavirus latest: 2020 Intermot trade show to be replaced by online industry event

The 2020 Intermot motorcycle trade show has been cancelled in favour of a digital-only event amidst coronavirus safety concerns. 

Originally set to take place from October 6-11, in Cologne, Germany, the biennial show draws thousands of industry workers and motorcycle fans from across the globe and has played host to a multitude of exciting new model premiers from major manufacturers – including the Suzuki Katana in 2018, as well as the original exactly 38 years earlier.

Although other events will be returning to the same venue this year, with limited floor space and tens of thousands visiting, Intermot organisers have been unable to meet coronavirus guidelines, currently in effect in the country. 

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In a joint statement, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse (the exhibition centre housing the show), Oliver Frese, and General Executive Manager of the German Motorcycle Industry Association, Reiner Brendicke, said: “An event that depends on its appeal as an experience and event cannot be held in this form at this point in time and thus does not meet the expectations and needs of the industry.

“Our customers’ resources for 2021 are already under heavy strain as a result of the SARS/Covid-19 crisis. As an important part of the motorcycle industry, however, and particularly in difficult times, we want to actively support our partners and are now working full steam on a digital format.” 

Following in the footsteps of the UK’s premier biking event; Motorcycle Live, which announced the cancelation of its November 2020 show earlier this month, the German spectacle will now play out online before the end of the year. A date is yet to be decided.

“With the digital Intermot news stream, we are creating a communication platform that will provide sustainable inspiration for the industry and the motorcycle community alike,” the statement continued. “We can then turn our full focus to the event scheduled for 2022.”

MCN will bring you more on this story as it becomes available.