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Ispo 06 THE MAIN FIXTURE WITH GERMANY
The dates for ispo summer were put back this year as Munich is hosting “that other” international sporting event and then, just when you “think it’s all over” it all kicks off again on July 16th at the show. And there will be plenty happening at this highly creative exhibition to keep sporting interest running high as the industry looks for its next new and strong themes..
Who better than a graduate sports economist to understand the business needs of the industry, so Tobias Gröber is already making his mark as the new exhibition Director with the addition of several new initiatives. He will be responsible for all trade fairs within the ispo Group, which include ispo winter, ispo summer, ispo china, ispo Russia as well as Golf Europe and Fairway .
For the first time there has been a road show in Germany, similar to those in China and Russia, as well as an intensive marketing and communication programme here in the UK. An increase to the segmentation introduced at the spring show will provide a greater focus on individual sporting segments, which Gröber believes will enable customers to “Benefit from a better and more targetted service”. The introduction of new specialist areas, notably triathlon, kite surf, glass and resin and wearable technologies will further enhance the show’s reputation for understanding innovation. Above all, the development of the community concept that has marked ispo as the ultimate platform for industry interaction will bring the latest trends and developments up close and personal.
This summer’s show will see a record number of entries in the BrandNew section, the world’s largest entrepreneur contest for the industry, with global entries already 16% up on last year. The fourth Global Sportstyle Awards will highlight ispovision again, with a new “Lifetime Achievement Award” being introduced for those (mainly designers) who have made a significant international contribution to Sportstyle. Within ispovision itself, beach and outdoor style will be hot new summer topics
It’s all about inline as ispo hosts the World Inline Cup on July 16th and opens its doors to the public for the first time in an interactive exhibition area where they can be inspired by demos and information. Debut platforms for kitesurf and triathlon will offer superb communication zones for these rapidly developing sports and, Golfwear Village will mark the first opportunity for this style led sector to be seen outside Golf Europe later in the year.
There is no doubt that the visionary legacy left by former show Director, Peter Knoll, is continuing along an innovative path with Gröber and team, and any UK retailer or brand would be denying themselves great potential if they did not make the trip to Germany to absorb the performances in this sporting arena.
For those who have been attending ispo over the years, there is a face (and name) that should be instantly recognisable – and which thoroughly deserves its recognition. Jürgen Lohrberg was involved in the international sports trade fair for 30 years, a familiar figure who developed close relationships with exhibitors, visitors and media alike. With over 57 attendances he had more than earned the name of “Mr. ispo”.
The Munich Trade Fair was just five years old when he joined the business and he was decisively involved during those founding years in creating structures and elements for the later trade fair successes. Impulsive, spontaneous and a go-getter but also fair, Mr. Lohrberg directed the projects in his business division decisively with his staff, balancing and combining the different opinions, viewpoints and requirements of his customers and partners, exhibitors and retailers as well as associations.
Lohrberg retired in recent weeks and SGB UK would like to thank him for his hospitality and support – happy retirement!
