World sports business attention is without a doubt focused on China as the Asian market continues to develop an increasing and unrivalled appetite for new and authentic recreational products. From the mountains to urban spaces, sport is the agenda, not just linked to traditional Olympic legacy, but also a strong consumer appetite for new activities, involving the entire family.
Klaus Dittrich, Chairman and CEO of Messe München, comments on the event’s success: "ISPO BEIJING 2013 has confirmed that this emerging market has a consumer that desires quality products reflecting the modern Asian lifestyle. We are proud to be contributing to this dynamic future by providing such a successful business and trend platform."
The show once again breaks its own records: more than 27,800 industry professionals (+14%) came to the China National Convention Center in Beijing to view the exhibited products by 415 exhibitors (+18%), 567 brands (+ 10%) on 40.000 m² (+ 14%) of exhibit space. This represents a two-digit growth of the trade show in all relevant areas, and further expands its position as the leading sports business platform in the Asia-Pacific territories.
International attention was significant, with groups representing Italy, Austria, France and Scandinavia in attendance once more. UKTI supported a group pavilion for the second year which doubled in size with a London Lounge to showcase material from over 20 brands interested in the China market.
Strongly representing the junior product sector was Burton, who following a global restructure at the end of 2012 has now opened a dedicated Beijing office and confirmed their official Chinese trading status during the show. Action Sports continue to thrive in the Asian trading arena and capture consumer imagination.
The new location of this sector in the CNCC halls presented an atmospheric and comprehensive overview, with key brands and distributors represented and well positioned for dynamic visitor engagement alongside the sports fashion area. Outdoor continues to be in itself the very base layer of consumer interest to meet the new lifestyle desire in China. Major brands such as Fjällräven, BlackYak and Mammut featured alongside MobiGarden and many of the key Asian distributors who used ISPO BEIJING to develop brand and customer relationships.
The international main player, Adidas, marked its first official appearance in the Chinese market of Adidas Outdoor at ISPO BEIJING 2013, revealing their decision to explore a new horizon.
ISPO Beijing enabled global brands to both work in partnership with and find like minded distributors to great effect. The show has created the ideal business forum for highlighting trends to retailers and resort specialists alike, as well as enabling consumer education. Well attended conferences, for example the 2013 China Sports Fashion, 2013 China Outdoor Industry Forum or the Asian Pacific Snow Conference, covered topics ranging from product research and development through to resort management and the cross platform opportunities of destination appeal.
Brands such as Burton, K2, Nitro and Rossignol were able to intensify this focus through participation at the second ISPO BEIJING on Snow Demo at Secret Garden Resort On the other side of the business spectrum, a rest emphasis was placed on sharing knowledge, not only with the retail and resort markets, but with the industry itself.
At the Founders Lunch, heads of iconic brands exchanged ideas and information gained through their brand building. One highly popular mentoring session came from Jansport whose creator and continual driving force Skip Yowell inspired outdoor specialists with a colourful presentation of the company history and its development over more than 30 years.
"ISPO BEIJING is an essential compass determining the direction of the Asian sports market. The trade show illuminates trends such as outdoor sports, covers fashion, production methods and winter sports infrastructures. Due to our services visitors are able to test product innovations to their hearts’ content. This wide spectrum and a promising market are the cause for ISPO BEIJING’s rapid growth,” Klaus Dittrich explains at the conclusion of ISPO BEIJING 2013.
ISPO BEIJING 2014 is held from February 19th to 22nd, 2013 at the China National Convention Center (CNCC) in Beijing.
