International Dealer News 156 August/September 202 IDN 156 Aug/Sept 2020 | Page 13

EICMA postponed to 2021 news ROOM Confindustria ANCMA (the National Association of Manufacturers of Bicycles, Motorbikes and Accessories), that owns and operates EICMA at Milan in November each year has, as expected, confirmed cancellation of its show. Paolo Magri, the President of Confindustria ANCMA and Managing Director of EICMA S.p.A., the company that organises the show, is quoted as saying that "the decision has been taken with and for the whole sector. "The importance and international status of our exhibition means that it would be inappropriate to gamble on how the health situation linked to the COVID-19 emergency will evolve and, above all, to listen to our stakeholders and protect the whole of the twowheeler industry, its customers and the wider public." Milan and the state of Lombardy were 'ground zero' for the COVID-19 pandemic in northern Italy, and while much of Italian society, commerce and manufacturing is embarked on a slow and careful path to reopening, the risks of acting too optimistically, too soon, are obvious. It was only a matter of time before the decision to suspend the 78th iteration of a show that traces its origins back more than 100 years became official, especially once BMW and KTM/Husqvarna (big players in the German and Italian trade associations) had both announced (in early April) that they would not be exhibiting at either event. Dates for 2021 are 9th to 14th November at the Fiera Milano, Rho - west of Milan city centre and around 30 minutes from Malpensa airport. www.eicma.it 'Motorcycle Live' in UK postponed to 2021 The MCIA, the motorcycle industry trade association in the UK, has confirmed ("with regret") that this year's 'Motorcycle Live' (intended to be held in November 2020 at the NEC Birmingham, UK) has been postponed until 20-28 November 2021. "Following an extensive and detailed consultation with the major stakeholders of 'Motorcycle Live', the MCIA Board of Directors has agreed to postpone this year’s show. The decision has not been taken lightly and has been exclusively based on our concern for public safety and the wellbeing of our www.idnmag.com industry colleagues." Managing Director of 'Motorcycle Live', Finlay McAllan said: "Motorcycle Live is all about audience interaction, fun and social engagement. This is graphically demonstrated by the number of features and visitor activities, and to diminish that experience, while potentially placing visitors and staff at risk, would be irresponsible and socially unacceptable." INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 13