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OutDoor 2007 enjoys enormous success!
The 14th OutDoor opened with a new exhibitor record: 731 companies from 39 countries,80 percent foreign, and a 7-percent increase in rented stand space in 11 exhibition halls gave the trade show outstanding results this year.The top 100 firms in the outdoor sector were represented at Friedrichshafen, showcasing the latest products and trends in the area of nature and alpine sports, and featuring a total of 165 innovations and world premieres.
With the OutDoor Industry Award, the trade-show honoured outstanding products for their high degree of innovation and intelligent design. OutDoor also put the spotlight on two new sports disciplines: trail running and slacklining.
"OutDoor 2007 sends out plenty of positive signals and gives the entire outdoor sector a boost," said Rolf G. Schmid, President of the European Outdoor Group (EOG) and CEO of the Mammut Sports Group – a sentiment echoed by EOG Secretary General Mark Held, who was also very satisfied with the trade show. The next generation will have a big influence on the sector. "Kids help drive sales in the outdoor sector and represent the customers of the future.We want to draw young people away from TV and computer screens and interest them in outdoor leisure activities," said Rolf G. Schmid, who also reported a highly positive mood among his customers. "The young generation is discovering the thrill of climbing, and that's a positive sign for the entire sector."
"OutDoor has taken another major step forward on its way to the summit.With significant growth in the number of exhibitors, journalists, and visitors, and an enhanced international character (60% international visitors), the trade show offers the ideal platform for the international outdoor sector," said Messe Friedrichshafen CEO Klaus Wellmann and OutDoor Project Director Stefan Reisinger. "The mood in the sector is extremely upbeat.We've received a lot of positive feedback from exhibitors and trade visitors." Trade visitors travelled from all five continents and a total of 70 different countries to attend the show in Friedrichshafen. On the exhibition grounds they were treated to a huge and complete reflection of the outdoor world. The outdoor industry put on a first-class show of its products and services in 11 trade show halls and on the open-air grounds. This specialised trade show also included a supporting programme featuring an outdoor party, climbing wall, a tent city included all types and brands, Movie Nights, the Outdoor Fashion Show, and presentations from experts on current topics. OutDoor is also a major international media event.Media attendance grew by 18 %,with 805 registered newspaper and trade publication journalists (2006: 682 journalists), TV teams, and radio reporters from a total of 26 countries at the show (41 percent of journalists came from abroad).
Trade visitor survey
A trade visitor survey conducted by an independent market research institute underscored the high effectiveness of OutDoor: 91 percent of trade visitors questioned said that they achieved the key exhibition objective of "maintaining business contacts and establishing new ones" at OutDoor.A total of 94 percent of those questioned said that they felt well informed on the topic of innovations and industry trends.Another interesting question was how they anticipate business to develop in the outdoor sector: 95 percent of those questioned expect sales to continue to grow or at least to remain at their current level. In addition, 90 percent of trade visitors questioned said that their visit to OutDoor was worthwhile in all respects.When asked about their overall impression, 86 percent gave marks of "good" or "excellent" and 90 percent of those questioned said that they would return to attend the next OutDoor scheduled for 17-20 July 2008.
Christian Wander,Marketing Manager Central Europe, Helly Hansen: “We're extremely happy with OutDoor 2007. It was very important for us to be here.We've received excellent feedback from our customers as well as from potential new customers; there were always large numbers of visitors at our stand. OutDoor is definitely the leading trade show in Europe for the outdoor sector.”
Eric Charamel, Lafuma Outdoor Manager: “The quality of the exhibitors and visitors has increased again.Many key customers and outdoor associations were here. In addition to looking at the price of a product, it's encouraging that purchasers also place great value on quality.”
Gary Bryant,European Brand Manager Arc’teryx: “It was a fantastic event.We made a wide range of contacts and can look back on some very busy days.All in all, OutDoor 2007 went extremely well for us and we'll be represented with an even larger stand next year.”
James Cotter,Vice President of European Operations, Cascade Designs: “For us, OutDoor is the most important trade show in Europe. It's an ideal platform, not only to present our products and new technologies to the sector, but also to gather feedback from retailers on our new products.We were able to make many contacts, both in and outside Europe; for example,we had trade visitors from Australia, the United Arab Emirates,Hong Kong and Russia at the stand; the OutDoor show draws visitors from far beyond Europe's borders.We are especially happy that we received a design award.”
Richard Cotter,Brand President Berghaus: “OutDoor 2007 went particularly well for us.We had many conversations with important retailers from the German market, but also with many international trade visitors from other European markets; the past few days have been extremely busy.”
Markus Bötsch,Managing Director Sales, Jack Wolfskin: “We're completely satisfied. The quality of the event is very high.Trade show organizers obviously worked hard on the details that had been criticised in the past. I'm especially impressed with the upbeat mood here at the trade show. The atmosphere is even more relaxed than in previous years.Nobody is complaining, everyone is satisfied and relaxed.The visitor calibre is also extremely high: trade visitors were seriously interested in our products and we were able to make many concrete contacts.”
