In 2024, trade fair organizers Gebrüder Wolf and Franz Furmaniak from Lauchringen can look back on a successful second edition of the "new" SPEZI. The number of visitors and exhibitors at the exhibition grounds in Lauchringen, Baden-Württemberg, increased. Exhibitors and visitors are equally enthusiastic. The trade fair has also established itself as a regional highlight with numerous activities.

Great development and a clear trend

More than 6,000 visitors bustled around the 7,500 square meter SPEZI exhibition grounds at the former Lauffenmühle textile factory in Lauchringen over the trade fair weekend. The number of exhibitors and companies exceeded the already high level of the previous year. 90 exhibitors showed the public products from 140 brands. "We've never had a SPEZI with so many brands, and we've never had so many relatively large stands at SPEZI," says Gabriel Wolf from trade fair organizer Wolf & Wolf. Something else was striking: "Never before has there been a SPEZI with so many exhibitors showing LEVs, i.e. light electric vehicles. Visitor interest in LEVs was also extraordinarily high," says Wolf. "This is clearly a trend for the coming years." And he sums up: "We are delighted with the development of the trade fair. We jumped in at the deep end as a new trade fair organizer in 2023 with the aim of preserving the legendary spirit of the old SPEZI while opening it up to new target groups. Today, our success proves us right."

Regional cooperation and special offers guarantee success

The weather also played along at the weekend. "So we had happy visitors, happy exhibitors, happy associations, a happy community, happy helpers ... we are really satisfied," says Wolf. More than 100 helpers from seven local associations show that the SPEZI is firmly rooted in the region: "Without the local people and associations and the great support of the municipality of Lauchringen, none of this would be possible. Thank you!" says Gabriel Wolf. Visitors also benefit from this. Over the course of the event days, several hundred people spent the night on the tent meadow in an affordable and atmospheric setting and enjoyed a breakfast offer from 7:30 am. "There is hardly any other trade fair like this," says Wolf.

Comments on the trade fair: Like coming home

SPEZI is a special and very informal trade fair - an impression shared by exhibitors and visitors alike. "We've been attending Spezi for several years now," says André Vrielink, Managing Director of GoLo.Bike from the Netherlands. "It's a bit like coming home. We always enjoy it here." Alexander Kraft, press spokesman for the Hessian recumbent bike manufacturer HP Velotechnik, has a similar sentiment: "We feel at home here at SPEZI. During Corona, we realized that we were missing something. Now we're in Lauchringen for the second time and we're simply happy! We were literally overrun on Saturday morning. It's nice to meet so many people with ideas and to chat with people who know what they're talking about."

Charming trade fair, interested audience

Sales employee Antonia Stübi from cargo trailer manufacturer Carla Cargo also appreciates the interested trade visitors: "This is our first time at SPEZI since it has been held in Lauchringen, and I am very impressed by the location. It is lovingly designed and has a lot of charm. It is simply what the bicycle industry stands for. We meet a lot of interested people here who have enjoyed test riding and have made many quality contacts." Kirk Seifert, Managing Director of recumbent bike and trike specialist Icletta, is also satisfied: "We have had a lot of test rides and think that we will have good follow-up business after the trade fair. Last year we were here as visitors and that convinced us. That's why we're here with our own stand this year." Talking to potential customers is something that Katanga Managing Director Stephane Boving also appreciates about SPEZI: "On the one hand, we get a lot of feedback from existing customers about our velomobiles, which is very important for us. On the other hand, we can present our product here and interested parties can test the bikes directly on the course - it's really well organized."

Perfectly organized test course

The large test track, which enabled uncomplicated and extensive test rides, was very well received by all exhibitors and visitors. "I have rarely seen such a good test ride concept as at this trade fair," says Michael Kuttler, who runs the Ekone e-bike store near Lauchringen. Franziska Bosselmann, Managing Director of cargo bike manufacturer Mäx & Mäleon, is also delighted: "People are out and about on our bikes all the time, they are used a lot. This is our second time here and we're totally thrilled again! There's a great atmosphere! There are people here who want to discover new things and are interested in new mobility solutions. So this is exactly the right place for us." Christoph Garsche, bicycle dealer for trikes and cargo bikes from Bad Hersfeld, also "naturally" used the test course: "This huge course around the entire site, which then leads through the hall - it's really great! You just drive off and see all the exhibitors." As a dealer, he is particularly interested in technical innovations and talking to new companies.

Honest and direct feedback

Stefan Franken, Product Manager at tire manufacturer Schwalbe, appreciates the honest, direct feedback from customers at the trade fair. "Nowhere else at a trade fair is this as direct as here at SPEZI," says Franken, who presents tires for compact bikes, trikes, velomobiles and cargo bikes at SPEZI. "We are looking forward to talking to customers and manufacturers here, getting feedback for the future and perhaps even initiating new developments. We already had a lot of visitors on Saturday and received a lot of positive feedback." Frank Regge, who works in the technical field service department at lighting specialist Busch und Müller, can't complain about a lack of interest either: "Our blinker has been very well received, which makes life on the road easier and safer, especially for multi-lane vehicles." What he appreciates about SPEZI is that visitors come who are "interested in the topic and want to see good, unusual products."

Visitors from Bavaria and Belgium

These visitors include Petra and Martin Riedl from Peißenberg, for example. "We've been to the SPEZI several times and we always enjoy it. We get to meet nice people and the weather is usually nice too," says Petra Riedl. She has mainly tested folding bikes on the course, her husband recumbent bikes. But nothing was bought - "everything is already in our garage at home." Sergio Pantano, who comes all the way from Belgium every year to find out what's new on the specialty bike market, had a slightly longer journey. "Above all, I can try out lots of bikes here," says Pantano. "It's definitely worth the trip."

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