Introduction
Introduction
BMW Clubs Europa e.V. is one of two official umbrella organizations for BMW-recognized BMW Clubs in Europe.
As a European club organization, BMW Clubs Europa is a member of the BMW Clubs International Council - the
global BMW club umbrella organization. The BMW Clubs have a close relationship with BMW AG, its subsidiaries
and its trading organization. BMW Clubs are ambassadors of the brand and contribute to public awareness with
their events.
A strong community
A network of over 200 registered BMW Clubs with approximately 19,000 members in almost 30 countries spans
almost the whole of Europe. Our members not only like the brand, they love it! And, as everyone knows, shared
joy is a double joy in the hobby!
The beginnings
The history of the BMW Clubs reaches back to 1928, when a group of BMW motorcyclists founded the BMW
Club Düsseldorf. The chairman of the club, Friedhelm Günter (deceased in early June 2003), was President of
BMW Clubs Europe for many years and later Chairman of the BMW Clubs International Council. In decades of
development work, the BMW Clubs in North America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, Asia and
Europe have developed into a strong community. The merger of BMW friends thus extends from one end of the
world to the other, from the BMW Club of Japan to the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America. Today, the
international club organization with 120,000 members is the world's largest network of clubs representing the
brand of a car and motorcycle manufacturer.
BMW Clubs International Council - The Umbrella Organization
Since 1981, the BMW Clubs around the world have joined forces to form an umbrella organization - the BMW
Clubs International Council - to create a clear and internationally binding framework for club activities and public
participation. Council leaders asked, "How can you meet the diverse needs and desires of 120,000 BMW
enthusiasts around the world?" The answer was clear. It was necessary to create framework conditions without
restricting the freedom and autonomy of the clubs too much. These rules of the game can be summarized as
follows: All BMW clubs are run democratically, non-politically and not profit-oriented. The various tourist, sporting
and social events of the clubs should contribute to the positive image of the BMW brand. BMW club members
see themselves as ambassadors of the brand. Wherever you go in the world, you can be sure that a BMW Club
already exists there. Each new club that joins the international organization will become another stone in the wall
of a steadily growing structure.
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Introduction
BMW Clubs Europa is an umbrella organization at european level. The
official BMW clubs are affiliated under this umbrella and can interchange
news via this "information interface". Alongside the website, the BMW
clubinfo is the most-used source of information. In two-month rhythm the
collected information is issued in printed form mainly to the club boards,
although many members also subscribe to obtain direct information.
For travel-hungry members we also offer trips with BMW flavour, to
Munich, Dingolfing, Regensburg and, as of 2001, also to Spartanburg.
BCE also comes to agreements, e.g. with hotel chains and travel
agencies, so that members can enjoy special privileges.
BMW Clubs − so different and yet one large "family"
BMW clubs cannot be lumped together with other automobile or
motorcycle clubs. Their myriad range of interests makes them unique. In
what other clubs can one find motorists and bikers, veterans and
youngsters of the same marque? All which makes this club organization
that for which it is famous: a large BMW clubs family.
Each and every member of this family finds like-minded with whom they
can arrange trips, attend meetings, take vacations, visit training courses,
discuss technical details and exchange tips etc. This is all held together
by: the fun of driving a BMW!
How big is this family?
Introduction
