Eicma 2024, 110 years of history for a record edition

(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - The 2024 edition of Eicma, the international two-wheel exhibition, closed with record numbers. This year's was the 81st edition and an occasion to celebrate 110 years of the event, which first opened its doors in 1914 at the Kursaal Diana di Porta Venezia in Milan with less than forty stands and exhibitors from six nations. The six-day exhibition exceeded 600,000 attendees, over 40,000 more than the already excellent 2023 edition. The number of exhibitors present was also a record, more than 770, representing 45 countries and 2,163 brands, figures that confirm the topicality and attractiveness of Eicma, where as many as 26% of companies were present for the first time at the event held in Rho Fiera Milano, on a surface area of more than 330,000 square metres with 10 pavilions occupied.

"Eicma 2024 is a wonderful event, of which as the Lombardy Region we are absolutely proud. Also because it represents a sector that we protect, made up of historic companies and a chain of small and medium enterprises, often artisans, part of a unique industry," said the President of the Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana, emphasising the importance of the exhibition system that "has demonstrated and will continue to demonstrate that it is something that people need, it goes beyond the mere display of a model and a product". As emphasised by the organisation, important confirmations also came from the business-related indicators. In line with the latest editions of Eicma, which is the marketing tool of Ancma (National Association for the Bicycle, Motorcycle and Accessory Industry), the category's Confindustrial Association, was the number of sector operators selected and profiled according to the renewed quality criteria introduced in 2022: more than 38 thousand professionals attended this year from 126 different countries. The presence of journalists, content creators, technicians and communication professionals was on the rise, with a solid +13% over 2023 and coming from no less than 74 countries, reaching almost 8,000. Media who reported on the numerous novelties brought by the manufacturers, who returned en masse for this 2024 edition, and the content proposed by the organisation outside and inside the pavilions.

"These numbers are the best way to celebrate such a unique milestone as the 110th anniversary of Eicma," declared Eicma president and CEO Pietro Meda and Paolo Magri, specifying that "since the interruption of Covid we have never stopped investing in the event and looking to the future of the event, implementing services for companies, content, promotion and visitor experiences for the public. The return of all the manufacturers was also a source of great pride, as was seeing the pavilions full of young people and families: to them, to all the enthusiasts and to our partners goes our greatest thanks". The next edition will be held from 4 to 9 November 2025.