For the 15th time, Eurobike is inviting visitors to attend its bicycle tourism symposium Travel Talk, where a host of speakers will address the impact of digitalization, E-mountain bikes, cooperation and ‘women-only’ tours on the industry.

“We are pleased that we have again found ten exciting companies for the conference,” says Ulrike Saade, managing director of Velokonzept Saade GmbH, which is responsible for planning the Travel Talk program.

“The event shows how the bicycle and tourism industries can profit from one another and offers ideal synergies with the Eurobike. We are pleased that we have been able to follow, track and shape this trend for the last fifteen years,” says Dirk Heidrich, project leader of the Eurobike.

The 15th Travel Talk program, which is scheduled to take place Friday, September 2, 2016, includes:

  • A review of bicycle tourism history.
  • A presentation by Frank Hofmann from the German Cyclist’s Association (Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrradclub – ADFC) on how digitalization is influencing the future of bicycle tourism.
  • A presentation from the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) outlining how Americans deal with hurdles so they can successfully implement projects.
  • A presentation from the dealer purchasing cooperative ZEG on the great potential that bicycle tourism offers to one of the Europe’s large purchasing cooperatives.
  • A presentation on how to best appeal to women.

Following the first set of presentations, a business speed dating event will be offered on the show stage in the East Foyer. In five, six-minute rounds, the Travel Talks participants will be able to meet directly with 10 innovative companies.

Current developments and the newest trends in MTB tourism will be illustrated using international best practice examples. At the same time, the potential and best possible models of cooperation between the bicycle industry, especially bicycle retail, and bike tourism will be in focus.

One block of presentations will be devoted to the opportunities offered by digitalization and the challenges that tour providers, regions and the hospitality industry face. Men are also invited to attend the fourth trend topic, “Women only,” in which women will be defined as a target group of their own, from the perspective of the bicycle as well as the tourism industry.

The Eurobike 2016 takes place from Wednesday, August 31 to Saturday, September 3 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday, September 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On the Business Days, from Wednesday to Friday, the Eurobike 2016 is only open to industry visitors and accredited journalists.