Bicycle trade shows as transactional spaces

Abstract

Modern trade shows started as periodic gatherings of suppliers and consumers meeting to engage in trade in a setting where face-to-face contact created “buzz”. The era of the modern industrial trade fair is usually dated back to the Great Exhibition mounted in London’s Crystal Palace in 1851. Since then, trade shows have been promoted as places where attendance is essential both for producers and consumers. The Great Exhibition was an expression of imperial power, the exploitation of its colonies, and of merchant capitalism, with other imperial powers, including France and the United States, later following suit with their own expositions. The original success of the Taiwanese cycle industry followed a decision made by the Taiwanese government from the first plan period onwards to promote export-led growth by targeting several industries with growth potential. Eurobike claims to be the world’s largest distributor bike show, attracting enthusiasts and retailers from across Europe since 1991.