That is how the Italian motorcycle industry trade association that organises EICMA ( ANCMA ) described this year ' s " return of the king " of annual international motorcycle industry shows . Calling it a return of " pre-pandemic enthusiasm and confidence for the International Two Wheels Exhibition in Milan " and a " test of strength for the industry " to " rekindle fans ' dreams ", the organisers claim that the attendance " reached the maximum limit of capacity allowed by the current legislation on the days open to the public " with 342,644 " presences overall ". Italian expo attendance figures from the likes of EICMA and others are always " creative ", always open to interpretation and conjecture , but based on what we here at International Dealer News saw on the first three days , including the first of the four public attendance days , our forecast that the smaller show ( in OEM and PG & A vendor exhibitor number terms ) would still attract sufficient visitors to keep vendors and numbers

in harmony have proven to be true . From the IDN perspective it was an excellent event , and the first time we had been able to go to an expo anywhere since February 2020 . Here is the organisers ' press release in full …

MILAN , 29 November – " In the end it was passion that won - the great desire by the public to experience the event in person , the determination of the exhibitors and the desire by the

Photo courtesy EICMA

trade to get back to doing business in person . " The 78th EICMA , the International Two Wheels Exhibition , closed its doors on Sunday , November 30th , at Fiera Milano Rho with a success that takes the exhibition event back to prepandemic enthusiasm . This statement , after the forced stop last year , also

takes on great symbolic value and confirms that the model of trade fair implemented by the historic Milanese show is up to date . " Despite the contraction of the exhibition area , dictated by the consequences of the pandemic , in the four days it was open to the public , a total of 342,644 presences [ were recorded ] in the five halls occupied this year and in the outdoor areas . " This result was distinguished by a visitor experience in complete safety and with over 94 % of the tickets purchased online thanks to the decision of the organisation to avoid pressure on the ticket offices of the trade fair area - making EICMA the best attended event hosted at the Milan Rho fair facility since 2020 . " The international popularity of the exhibition event among business visitors was also good and , despite the latest restrictions and the difficulties linked to international travel , with 28,841 trade professionals ( 43 % foreign ) and 45,127 journalists ,

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