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A showcase for the region
ispo china winter 07, which was held for the first time in its new Beijing location from March 14th to 17th, 2007, registered a total of 12,059 visitors (ispo china 06 in Shanghai reported a total visitor number of 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, across 16,500 square meters of floor space.
A noticeably increased number of Chinese representatives at the booths of the international exhibiting brands was proof of the growth and development of the winter sporting goods industry in the Asia Pacific Region.
Exhibitors suitably satisfied
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 it as a platform for establishing contacts and developing their brands in the strongly growing Asian-Pacific market. But it was not only the business side that left an instant impression on the visitors and exhibitors. The atmosphere inside, as well as in front of the exhibition hall, was said to be very positive. Within the trade show premises, local spirit mixed with international sports action.Virtually all four days of ispo china were blessed with blue Beijing skies at mild springlike 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 besides. 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) executive director Roger Zeng, commented:
“Definitely the best ispo china 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 intensifying the CORA/ispo china cooperation and are convinced to see even better ispo china shows in the future.”
Mr. Zhang Heng of Sanfo also enjoyed it:
“Beijing is the right place for ispo china. The atmosphere on site was very exciting and positive. Ispo china brings sports style to Beijing.We met with old friends, made new friends and communicated with brands. Everything went very well.”
Added Mr. Cai Min of Turen Outdoor:
“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!”
More than just a trade show
With many established brands, and a number of new side events, ispo china proved 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 victorious events. The auction raised more than 5,000 EUR,which will be used to support environmental actions within the outdoor community.
The second Asia Pacific Snow Conference was held at the Qiaobo Indoor Ski Resort in Beijing. The topic of this year’s all-day conference was “Safety and Education” in snow sports. Seven workshops held by specialists 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 150 participants or so 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.
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.
