The first ISPO Shanghai trade show drew 18,957 visitors from July 24, 2015, according to show producer Messe München GmbH.
A total of 354 exhibitors showcased the latest innovations of 473 brands. Participants praised the high quality of the visitors as well as the extensive supporting program. The overwhelming success of ISPO Shanghai owes a great deal to its multi- sector concept including established and emerging communities for the running, outdoor, fitness, watersports, action sports, sports style, fashion and fabrics segments.
“The sporting goods industry in China needed a new summer trade show for emerging segments such as running, fitness and watersports, so combining them with our established outdoor segment was the foundation for the success of ISPO Shanghai,” said Klaus Dittrich, Chairman and CEO of Messe München GmbH. “Our customers support this multi-segment concept because it allows them to meet new groups of buyers. The show's successful premiere confirms the fact that the Chinese sports sector has a great deal of potential to offer, and we will continue to support this trend in 2016.”
International brands exhibiting in their respective communities included global players such as LP Support, Mammut, Fjällräven, Black Diamond, Camelbak and Volcom as well as Chinese brands such as Tittalon, BlackDeer and AceCamp.
The brands and exhibitors at ISPO Shanghai were rounded out by a program of product tests and demonstrations, creating an interactive experience for visitors and a hands-on stage for products. Attractions included a multi-brand running concept store with integrated workshops, training and fitness sessions and a 200-square-meter showroom featuring all the latest products and artwork from the highly creative sports, fitness and outdoor sectors. Nigel Foster and Darren Bush, owner of Madison, WI-based Rutabaga Paddlesports, also spoke at the event.
All areas were well attended throughout the show, but the water tank was especially popular. That is where paddling demos, SUP Yoga, slacklining, the Longboard Embassy and fitness programs were held, including several sessions by internationally renowned fitness coaches.
“The watersports sector was a highlight of ISPO Shanghai,” said Diwen Shi, the General Manager of Chums. “We were able to meet with buyers and fashion shop owners the entire time, and there were so many programs going on that we wished we had more time there. We will definitely be back again next year.”
ISPO Shanghai also marked the premiere of ISPO Brandnew in China, which showcases the products of new companies on a truly global stage.
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, ISPO Brandnew is an absolute favorite among industry representatives and visitors alike and is proof of ISPO's commitment to the growth and longevity of the sports market. Headis, one of this year’s winners, was on-site and received a great deal of feedback through all social media channels.
The show's popularity and the large number of visitors from throughout China as well as other Asian countries is a clear indication of the growing popularity of sports in China and Asia. Improving incomes, more leisure time and the link between fashion and sports have all contributed to this growth. At the same time, the Chinese government is promoting a program intended to motivate an additional 500 million people to start exercising. It is also expected to foster the growth of the sports and outdoor industries, the objective being to increase their share of the gross national product from currently 0.6 percent to 1.0 percent by 2025.
ISPO Shanghai also owes its success to the strong partners that support the show such as the European Outdoor Group (EOG), Fitness China, China Sports Industry (CSI), the Scandinavian Outdoor Group, the China Commerce Association for General Merchandise (CCAGM) and the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI).
One day before the show started, ISPO held its unique Market Introduction Program for international brands that are planning to enter the Chinese market. This time, seven brands and associations from the United States, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia participated and received detailed information in seminars, networking events, a guided tour of the trade show and a retail tour to Shanghai's leading sports and outdoor stores.
“ISPO Shanghai is yet another success story in the ISPO portfolio of events, and we can build on this success as the Chinese sports and outdoor market grows” emphasizes Paul März, Exhibition Director of ISPO Shanghai and ISPO Beijing. “It has proven itself as the go-to platform for the latest trends in apparel and equipment in the region's sports and outdoor sectors and is a great platform where international sports brands can launch and showcase their products.”
The 2016 edition will take place at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) from July 79.
