Motorcycles are set to return to Cologne. INTERMOT will be held in Cologne for the first time in the autumn of 2006. This was agreed by the member companies of the German Motorcycle Industry Association (IVM), which is based in Essen, at a meeting held on 18th November 2004. The International Trade Fair for Motorcycles and Scooters has already been held in Munich on four occasions. �We are delighted that we were able to hold our own against strong competitors because we had the best event concept, outstanding media expertise and an extensive range of service offerings for our exhibitors and visitors,� said Oliver P. Kuhrt, Executive Vice President of Koelnmesse.

The IVM will now hold concluding talks with Koelnmesse concerning the fair. Until 1996, Cologne had already served as a central trade fair location for the international motorcycle industry.

According to Jochen Witt, President and Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse, �The relocation of yet another top event to Cologne is a clear indication of the success of the Master Plan 2006. We are currently constructing one of the most attractive exhibition centres in Europe, and it has already impressively demonstrated its appeal.�

On the basis of information provided by the IVM, the main reasons for relocating to Cologne once the contract with Messe M�nchen expires were: "the completion of four new state-of-the-art trade fair halls with outstanding infrastructure�, �the newly constructed Congress Centre and a separate ICE train station� and �the interesting catchment area and high media density�. The last INTERMOT in Munich attracted more than 1,100 exhibitors from over 40 countries.