You have to ask, is there really any value in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards? You have to answer - well, I do - yes, there is. At a time when everything in the high street is, according to the media, going to the dogs and we're headed for a deeper recession than anywhere else in Europe, apparently, it's absolutely marvellous to have something to celebrate. Chris Hoy is a deserving winner, and I'm really pleased the Great British public saw this and rose to the occasion. Lewis Hamilton will be back as a winner no doubt, but probably not in an Olympic year; Rebecca Adlington will hopefully return too, around about 2012 I think...

From November 2008, Markus Hefter has taken the position of Exhibition Group Director for ispo winter, and will be responsible for all sectors of the international sporting goods exhibition. Hefter has been working for ispo since 2007 in the position of Project Director for the Outdoor sector and was a vital contributor to the development of the new Outdoor concept. He was also a key figure in encouraging the recently confirmed partnership between the EOG (European Outdoor Group) and ispo winter and will continue to act as a contact for the show's Outdoor Community.

Brintex, organiser of the UK Boardsports trade exhibition Surf Shop has named the exhibition's dates for 2009. The expo will be held at Westpoint, Exeter on Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 of August 2009.

Global sports and outdoor footwear manufacture HI-TEC are proud winners of the Golf Europe Product Awards 2008 presented at the Golf Europe Exhibition, Germany. Judged by leading industry experts the HI-TEC Pure Power WPi scooped top prize at this year's prestigious awards, open exclusively to innovative products scheduled for market introduction in 2009.

The Q3 2009 buying show for INTERSPORT Members takes place on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 January at Cranmore Park, INTERSPORT's exclusive exhibition centre in Solihull.

Winmau and their Hungarian distributor Novo-Parts have announced the signing of Hungary's rising star Zsofia Lazar on a three-year sponsorship deal that will run until 2011.

The Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI), in-conjunction with the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), visited leading sports science universities across the UK in November, presenting the latest developments in sports science nutrition to students and faculty staff.

Fresh off the back of announcing the signing of Andrew Flintoff, PUMA has launched its Evolution 2009 cricket range, which takes a dramatic step forward with unique high impact cosmetics and a dynamic new profile loaded with innovative features.

Suunto's new Fitness Solution promises to bring a new dimension to fitness club training. It offers a personalized workout experience to fitness club members, leading to more effective results and higher overall satisfaction. The new system is designed for daily use in group exercise and cardio training environments.

Italian clothing company Kappa has signed a sponsorship deal with boxer Joe Calzaghe; the deal was signed just prior to Calzaghe's fight with Roy Jones Jr at Madison Square Garden in early November.

Mazda, a major sponsor of the sport of triathlon in Britain, has launched a new website for the triathlon community. The website wearetriathlon.com contains information, news and advice for beginners, committed amateurs and professionals along with tips, updates and blogs from elite athletes. Users can also join the online community provided through the website forum and share their knowledge, experiences and photos of events.

Liverpool FC is the first Premier League club to get the Crocs treatment, as the comfort footwear brand launches its brand new range of Liverpool FC football licensed shoes.

Following in the success of the brand's trail-blazing senior squash players like Nicol David and James Willstrop, Prince is celebrating success in the British Junior Championships in London and Belgian Junior Open in Brussels.

JJB Sports has secured £1million of government funding to provide a bespoke customer service training package for over 600 store staff across the country.

The Sports HQ, one of Europe's leading online sports and leisure e-tailers has completed the purchase of Woodworm, the iconic cricket bat and golf company.

"When I came to the business - and bearing in mind that I hadn't been in amateur football, although I had been involved with my son playing and so forth - I had never heard of PROSTAR. The more I talked to people, the more it became apparent that if you weren't in amateur football, you may never have heard of PROSTAR. If you were in amateur football, then everybody had heard of PROSTAR, everybody played in PROSTAR, but it was one of those hidden, almost niche brands."

It was an appropriate choice to hold the STAG Show at a hotel called by the name of ‘Four Pillars'. There are four pillars upon which the sports trade is built and supported: first there is the product pillar, incorporating designer and manufacturer. Then comes the distributor. Number three surely has to be the retailer and last but by no means least, the consumer.

SGB talks to Craig Vartan, Canterbury's Senior Product Manager, about  BaseLayers and IonX, the core products that have helped the brand reach new levels of consumer recognition, and the rise of which is based on you, the independent retailer.

If you sell running gear - whether you're a specialist retailer or not - you'll know that runners love their toys. They love buying and trying new gear, discussing it, praising it or slagging it off. They're great adopters of technology, and for winter running, that technology reaches its pinnacle.

For runners who demand to be seen, Brooks's ever popular Nightlife collection offers year-round safety for runners. Designed to heighten visibility when cars approach, the Nightlife collection features high performance technical fabrics in high visibility contrasting colours accented with 360 degrees of 3M Scotchlite 500 candle-power retro-reflective detail. From weather resistant, breathable jackets to soft, moisture moving first layers, Nightlife pieces help you run in highly conspicuous comfort.

Air System Jacket from GORE RUNNING WEAR

Made from GORE-TEX Performance Shell with AIRVANTAGE Insulation Technology

Features include: GORE-TEX stretch inserts on arms for maximum comfort, anatomical fit, close-fitting hood which also zips off, adjustable sleeve bottom, 2-way front zip with semilock slider, zip pocket on sleeve, reflective logo on front and back

Nathan Streak 

An ultra-light weight, breathable mesh vest,  cutaway to allow full range of motion and guaranteed not to ride up.  400 candlepower reflectivity, 1200ft, 360degree visibility.  Adjustable fit.

High-Viz Soft Shell SRP £60

Specification:

• RESULT Soft Shell Technology
• 345g/m2 Soft Shell 3 layer bonded fabric:
  Outer-layer: 93% Polyester, 7% Elastane
  Mid-layer: TPU breathable membrane
  Inner-layer: Microfleece for extra warmth
  Lining: 100% Polyester Taffeta to upper back
• Windproof
• Waterproof (8,000mm)
• Breathable (3,000mm)
• Soft stretch fabric

Womens Epic Jacket

Epic is a brand new fabric used by Ronhill this Autumn/Winter. Epic was chosen specifically for its unique properties. Selected for the worst of the British winter weather and perfect for runners who want high water resistance and breathability from an outerwear garment because they are committed to running even when the weather is harsh. The Epic jacket also features Ronhill's new Vizion LED technology and comes complete with the compact LED patch on the centre back.

Salomon XA Raid Tight £40

This Smart Skin full length tight features Lycra Power for great muscle supot and actiLITE fabrics for the best moisture  management.  Thre is also reflective branding both front and back.

Good socks are vital for runners all year round, and there's some wonderful brands out there. We're featuring Hilly, ToeToe and Wigwam socks here, but don't forget relatively new brands like teko on the market too, alongside stalwarts like 1000 Mile socks.

GoLite are relatively new to the UK market and have some wonderful lightweight gear. Primarily, these have trail running in mind, but it's doesn't need much imagination to use them in road running!

The European super show promises much in its 69th outing, which takes place from February 1-4 next year. The show comprises six different areas: ski, outdoor, board, performance, innovations, and style.

Harrod UK are the leading manufacturers of sports posts, goals, nets and sports ground equipment; manufacturers for over half a century and active contributors to sports safety, Harrod UK products have been designed and independently tested by accredited test houses to ensure they conform to the very latest standards.

Timex is showcasing two exciting product launches at ISPO winter 2009, and you can see them on stand 338 in the Performance Hall, C3. Visitors will be able to see the new Timex Expedition WS4 - a new style for Timex with new technology that combines an Altimeter, Barometer, Compass and Thermometer in one watch, with the unique ability to display all four elements at once. 

EPIC by Nectex is unique - wind- and rain-proof, breathable and air permeable. "There is no other weatherproof fabric like EPIC, water doesn't penetrate the garment but allows natural airflow so the wearer stays truly comfortable," says Ian Wilkinson, EPIC European CEO. "With our process we can encapsulate virtually any woven fabric in a light but permanent silicon polymer which is recyclable as well."

Help! I'm being taken over by free long life light bulbs and have worked out that if I'm to get full use out of the quantity now in my possession I will only need to live to be 120 years old. With careful use I think I might be able to make them last till I'm even older than that which is a reassuring thought and a real saving.

It's been a long time since we've seen a December as cold as this in the UK, and it feels like, finally, we've got a 'proper' winter coming in. You know, the kind where no-one goes out of doors and we all wonder what life must have been like before central heating. Or before massive fuel bills, depending on your age.

Congratulations to HI-TEC Spain for winning the latest and most impressive award for the Altitude Ultra WPi.

Haglöfs UK have announced that they will be moving into new offices at Staveley Mill Yard, Staveley, just north of Kendal. Commenting on the development, Country Manager Neil Bradley explained that: "the facility measures 2000 sq ft and will provide showroom, meeting and support facilities for services such as product training, invoicing and prompt returns processing.

In the November issue of SGB, we included information about the Primus TiLite Set, and printed that it would be available in December 2008. The product will in fact be available from the end of January 2009.

The Kendal Mountain Festival's 2008 film competition results have been announced after the KMF in November. From over 300 films submitted the judges considered 85 films in competition, including 30 premieres.

Montane has opened a dedicated showroom in the heart of the English Lake District.

After closing the doors to OTS 2008 on a high, the organisers are pleased to announce the new dates for 2009 as well as the expansion of the show into two halls.

Vango's new 2009 range introduces two new colourways: Zinfandel, and Mocha. Never before seen, this inspiring collection was created with the intention of stimulating the senses and to bring feelings of splendour and opulence to the outdoors.

KORS - the Kendal Outdoor Retail Show - has announced next year's dates. The show will be held at the Kendal Leisure Centre from11-13 August 2009.

Experiential learning charity The Outward Bound Trust has announced details of its first green course.  Developed jointly with npower, the five day residential course is designed to equip young people with the knowledge and appetite to return to their schools and communities and take the lead in projects to protect the environment.

ski~mojo is looking for agents/Introducers/affiliates involved in the wintersports market. Commercial Director Martin Hannaford says: "We've put together a zero-risk package which involves little or no initial outlay and great profit margins. Once you have an interested customer, it's an easy sell as we've found from past experience that 90 per cent of people who try out a ski~mojo, go on to buy one."

AMG Group has taken the decision to outsource a significant part of their distribution function, to a third party logistics company.

Patagonia has appointed Jonathan Petty as their new Marketing Director for Europe. Jonathan has served in a variety of sales and marketing positions for the last 14 years in outdoor sport, media, and travel markets, where he gained solid experience in brand management and communication. He has been with Patagonia since 2003 in the role of UK Sales and Marketing Manager, and is well versed in the Patagonia brand and its history. He will be based in Annecy, France from February 2009 and will report to Holger Bismann, Managing Director of Patagonia Europe.

The design of the new Aksel Pro sprang from the various requirements which Aksel Lund Svindal has accumulated throughout his long experience on ski slopes across the world, and from LEVEL's desire to offer a new concept glove to the market.

"We've never had such a good response for a range than the one we've received for our Autumn/Winter 09 collection. It may still be early days but we can't help but predict a successful season ahead when we see staff and customers alike trying on product and getting excited about everything they see.

Lifesystems has launched a range of products designed to keep you warm on the mountain should the weather turn nasty.  New products for 2009 include windproof matches and a fire starter kit.  These coupled with a Lifesystems lifesaving Bothy could prove invaluable should you get caught out on the hills.  And remember, Lifesystems now produce the most powerful whistle in the world to gain attention!

Hi-Tec Sports integrates the successful 4:SYS technology into its Backpacking collection, bringing runners efficiency, comfort and performance to mountaineering-inspired footwear. Hi-Tec's latest cutting-edge technology ensures you and your boots can deal with the most strenuous, load bearing requirements. 4:SYS is a dynamic motion control reducing stress and strain on joints and muscles. A series of different densities and compounds are engineered into the midsole effectively managing the Centre of Pressure and distribution of force during your walking gait. A smoother transition from heel to forefoot results in more efficient movement, less stress on joints and less energy expended leaving you with more strength for outdoor activities. 

Footwear

The A/W09 footwear range has been strengthened to offer more consistency across walking boots, trail shoes, lifestyle travel shoes and wellington boots.

 Primus has launched a handy gadget; the Primus Stove Windscreen, which clips around the neck of a self-sealing cartridge to offer simple and stable wind protection and takes no time to put together.

Specification:

• Outer: 100% Polyester Dewspo Bogner Ripstop
• Inner: Down Feel - Body: 350gsm Polyester, Hood: 160gsm Polyester
• Lining:100% Polyester P.D.
• Windproof/Waterproof/Stain Resistant

Invest in a warm and casual classic this winter with the ‘Reign' down jacket from Merrell.

If you look on the various outdoor forums, nothing seems to raise the heat of debate more than GPS's. Those that are a few hundred quid out of pocket scream their praises with the conviction of a trash metal singer - they wouldn't be here today if it hadn't been for their purchase, they can now do twice as many Munros in each trip without all the hassle of map reading, they now feel secure no matter what the weather does etc etc.

The European super show promises much in its 69th outing, which takes place from February 1-4 next year. The show comprises six different areas: ski, outdoor, board, performance, innovations, and style.

At ispo, Anatom will be making a big colour splash with the launch of the new hotPINK and REDhot insoles from Superfeet. Specifically designed for the male and female foot form respectively the new insoles are designed to regulate foot temperature and enhance the fit of winter sports footwear specifically focusing on snowboard and ski boots. Having such a visual appeal the new insoles will attract attention from all.

2009 sees the exciting launch of Cloudveil Mountain apparel in the UK market. This extensive range features multi-sport apparel suitable for any outdoor environment from walking the foothills to extreme mountaineering.

Exhibiting at this years ispo, global sports and outdoor footwear brand HI-TEC continues to evolve and strengthen the groundbreaking ion-mask revolution in AW09 by introducing the next generation of truly innovative, stylish and technical footwear.

W.L. Gore & Associates has exciting launches to announce at ispo winter 2009. They intend to showcase two major product innovations and launch a completely new product category for the snowsports and outdoors industries.

Rossignol, the brand with the richest heritage in the ski sports industry, is preparing for the European launch of their 09/10 range at ispo.

GoLite, the brand which pioneered the lite-weight revolution in the outdoors, will be exhibiting its full Fall / Winter 09 range of equipment and apparel at ispo.