ispo china winter 07, which was held for the first time in the new location in Beijing from March 14th to 17th, 2007, registered a total of 12,059 visitors (ispo china 06 in Shanghai: 11,098) mainly from the complete Asia-Pacific Region. 300 brands from 20 countries presented their products and brand philosophies at the National Agricultural Exhibition Center in Beijing on 16,500 square meters.

A noticeably increased number of Chinese representatives at the booths of the international exhibiting brands is proof for the growth and development of the winter sporting goods industry in the Asia Pacific Region. 

With its move to Beijing, ispo china winter 07 confirmed to be the leading trade show for the Asia-Pacific winter sports business

• A total of 300 brands from 20 countries exhibit their products to 12,059 visitors (incl. ~ 800 opinion-leading consumers) from all over Asia
• Increased presence of Chinese and Asian representatives of international brands testify the rapid growth of the sporting goods industry in China
• m-cro International Slalom Open and ispo china/Ozark Bouldering Contest add exciting sports action to the business and communication platform
• China Outdoor Retailing Conference and CORA Model Shop attract Asian-Pacific outdoor retailers
• First “Interconnected Sportstyle Talents” and Awards in cooperation with Toray and esmod
• More than 100 retailers and 20 industry professionals discuss safety and education in snow sports at the 2nd Asia Pacific Snow Conference in cooperation with Toray and Volvo  

The exhibitors of ispo china winter 07 were very satisfied with the course of the trade show as well as with the quality of visitors and used the platform especially for establishing contacts and developing their brands in the strongly growing Asian-Pacific market. But not only the business side left an instant impression on the visitors and exhibitors. The atmosphere inside as well as in front of the exhibition hall was excellent and very positive. As you entered the trade show premises, local spirit mixed with international sports action, trade show business intermingled with a relaxed and friendly intercultural atmosphere. Virtually all four days of ispo china were blessed with blue Beijing skies at mild spring-like temperatures – the perfect weather for the m-cro International Slalom Open and lunch meetings outside the hall. Inside the National Agricultural Exhibition Center, the international flair continued: A tour through the venue offered Southern European hospitality at the Italian Village, Chinese tradition at some of the local brands’ booths, bullriding action at the Black Yak booth, exciting climbing action at the ispo china/Ozark Bouldering Contest, and much more. The air was filled with enthusiasm and ispo china was a true showcase of an industry on the rise in the Asia-Pacific region.

CORA (Chinese Outdoor retail Association), Roger Zeng, Executive Director:

“Definitely the best ispo china ever had so far. The CORA model shop got positive feedback from all sides. Some of the brands exhibiting in the shop (Jack Wolfskin, Patagonia, Coleman) used it as there first step into the Chinese market, others (Uvex, Masters) as an additional platform to show their competence in the market. We are looking forward to intensify the CORA/ispo china cooperation and are convinced to see even better ispo china shows in the future.”

Sanfo, Mr. Zhang Heng:

“Beijing is the right place for ispo china. The atmosphere on site was very exciting and positive. ispo china brings sportsstyle to Beijing. We met with old friends, made new friends and communicated with brands. Everything went very well.”

Turen Outdoor, Mr. Cai Min:

“ispo china has become more and more important for the outdoor industry; it is not only a sports show but also the communication and meeting platform for our industry. We not only met in the exhibition hall, but also talked with each other at the events like the CORC. I feel that ispo china is like a family party for us. Thanks again!”

Beijing Qian Yan Zhizhi Outdoor , Mr. Xu Yi Ge:

“As a local retailer, I am happy that ispo china was held in Beijing. Thanks to the show, there was a great atmosphere everywhere. It is exciting for me to welcome outdoor friends from all over China. We met with many brands and talked a lot about our industry during the four days. It was a great experience for me.”

With many proven and a number of brand new side events, ispo china once more attested that it is more than just a trade show. After the colorful and festive opening ceremony with many industry, retail and media representatives as well as Chinese officials like the Vice Mayor of Beijing, Feng Tong Zhao, day one closed with a brand new event, the “Interconnected Sportstyle Talents” initiated by ispo, Toray and the international fashion academy esmod. As the first step of what is meant to be a series of events at all future ispo trade shows, young and ambitious design students from esmod Germany (Munich/Berlin) presented their creations resembling the motto “Future meets Tradition”. During the entertaining evening with live music and catering, an international jury composed of industry representatives and fashion specialists (among them representatives from Kjus, Toray, WGSN and Promostyl) picked two creations that received the first Interconnected Sportstyle Awards. The two designers will travel to the next ispo china in 2008, meanwhile two chosen young designers from China will visit ispo SPORT & STYLE in Munich this summer to present their visions of “Future meets Tradition”.

A retailer tour was again organized in collaboration by CCAGM (China Commerce Association for General Merchandise). Buyers of 25 of the most important department stores in China were invited to visit ispo china winter 07 on the first day and were directly introduced to exhibitors and shown some of the most important product highlights at the show. This key account support program was already conducted at last year’s ispo china in Shanghai and considered one of the most effective tools to improve direct retailer/brand relationships in this emerging market.

As the result of a strategic agreement that was signed between the Chinese Outdoor Retailer Association (CORA) and ispo china last year in Shanghai, CORA organized a Model Shop at ispo china winter 07 in Beijing demonstrating the most effective ways for retailers to arrange and manage their stores. Companies such as Patagonia, Jack Wolfskin and Coleman used this very popular platform for their introduction on the Chinese market and announced that in a next step they will enter this fast growing market and use ispo china as their trade show platform.

Another project focusing on the successful development of the outdoor sports market in China was the third China Outdoor Retailing Conference (CORC) in cooperation with Gore-Tex on the topic of “Enjoy & Respect” which attracted several hundred retailers. Speakers from within the industry and associations lectured on outdoor sports and environmental protection, a topic that is rapidly gaining importance in China. The evening was concluded by an auction of several equipment accessories that were actually used by Germany’s world-class ice climber Ines Papert in some of here victorious events. The auction raised more than 5,000 EUR, which will be used to support environmental actions within the outdoor community.

Giga Sports Shanghai Co. Ltd. (Micro, Footdisc, k1x), Kelvin Koo:

“ispo china is definitely the number one trade show in the Chinese Fashion and Sports Industry. With its new idea of a sporting goods show, it helps to increase the inline skating market dramatically. Especially the ispo china micro Beijing slalom open created a lot of interest and positive feedback. We will definitely continue to cooperate with ispo china in the future.”

Firefox (Shen Zhen), Mr. Hu Yan Yong:

“We are glad to see more and more local brands appearing at ispo china in addition to the famous international brands to show their own image and new products. I almost met everyone I wanted to meet during the show, which makes me feel good. I also made a speech at the CORC and were very happy to be with so many retailers to share with my experience.”

Green Ants Outdoor, Mr. Pu Wei:

“We are glad that we came to ispo china and met with brands. The quality of brands is very high. ispo china is the get-together for outdoor industry. The Outdoor Conference was also good. CORC (China Outdoor Retailing Conference) plays a very important role in the outdoor industry. We retailers learn a lot from it.”

CORA (China Outdoor Retailer Association), Mr. Yu Qin, Chairman:

“During the four days of ispo china winter 07, many visitors went to our outdoor model shop and left their business cards to express their intention for cooperation, which exceeded our expectations. We spoke to retailers and also met with visitors from department stores. Thanks to ispo china for providing such a wonderful opportunity to promote ourselves. And our conference was very popular with the retailers. In our opinion, ispo china is a big gathering for brands, retailers, associations, etc.”

Also showing ispo china’s outdoor competence was the Outdoor Experience Park sponsored by ispo china, Gore-Tex and the leading Chinese magazine Outdoor Exploration. The complimentary product testing area featured a footwear trail, and apparel test area, a test track, a test room, conference space and a number of additional highlights. Visitors were able to try the functionality and quality of the exhibited new products directly in this area at the trade show. A service that was very well received during all four days of the show. The magazine Outdoor Exploration was also co-organizer of the second annual Golden Rhino Awards. Together with ispo china and the outdoor brand Atunas, it selected several “Best of´s” like the Best Climbing Event, the Best Exploration Activity, the Best Outdoor Team, or the Breakthrough of the Year. W.L. Gore was announced as the winner of the Best Outdoor Industry Contribution.

Outdoor Exploration Magazine, Mr Gao Yong:

“This time, we cooperated with ispo china to organize the Golden Rhino and the Outdoor Experiencing Park. These two events were very successful. In the exhibition hall, lots of high quality visitors assured the popularity of our brands speech in the park. The brands are very satisfied with their presentation with such a professional audience. As for the Golden Rhino, its success is built on ispo china’s popularity. No doubt, ispo china will have a bright future.”

Also a returning event was the second Asia Pacific Snow Conference held at the Qiaobo Indoor Ski Resort in Beijing. This year’s topic of this all-day conference was “Safety and Education” in snow sports. Seven workshops held by specialist from several segments such as ski resort managers, University professors and industry managers offered their views and knowledge of the status of snow sports safety in China and methods of resolution for its improvement in the future. A panel discussion with European and American industry representatives as well as Chinese participants summed up a day filled with important information. After the official part of the Conference, some of the approximately 150 participants of the event took the opportunity to ski at the Qiaobo Indoor Ski resort to conclude their day.

The supporting program was also very popular, which supplemented ispo china with athletic events such as the ispo china Climbing Cup and the m-cro International Slalom Open, the first World Freestyle Slalom Circuit in Beijing, which was held outside the hall of the National Agricultural Exhibition Center. The trade show also included several high-quality workshops and trend forum like the Promostyl Paris Trend Forecast and the WGSN Seminar.

www.iChinaclub.com, Mr. Jiao Liang:

“The reason we choose ispo china as a partner to organize the Pan-Outdoor Industry Elite Summit was the rich sports resources of ispo china. And it was the correct choice. Especially on the first day, we saw a lot of visitors and many foreign brands were exhibiting their new products and technologies. And like always, the contests inside and outside the hall were very popular. We like this atmosphere. ispo china is a very professional sports trade show.”

Nanjing Ren Shan Hun Outdoor, Mr. Liu Hai Jun:

“I think the biggest advantage of ispo china is the quality and the many possibilities for communication. To get to know the brands, to receive new information, and to share experiences. The side events were also very good. ispo china is like a festival for our industry.”

Xinjiang Yili Bei Sheep Outdoor, Mr. Miao Jian Min:

“At ispo china in Beijing, we were able to start valuable relationships and strengthen the cooperation between clubs. I felt pleased with the service of the organizers and I appreciate that ispo china gave us the opportunity to sit down together and have a good talk.”

The joint booths of Italy and Spain, where sporting goods companies from the corresponding countries exhibited jointly to trade visitors at ispo china winter 07, were also very popular with the trade visitors and allowed a very comprehensive overview of the countries’ brands and their products.

The next ispo china winter will be held March 12-15, 2008 in Beijing!

(22/03/2007)