According to the Asia OutDoor Show, mountaineering and other outdoor activities are rapidly gaining in popularity in China. In addition to manufacturing more than 60% of all outdoor brand products on the global market, China has 5,000 mountain peaks that tower to heights of over 6,000 meters. This “home advantage” is helping to fuel annual domestic sales increases of between 30 and 40%, making China the outdoor industry's largest growing market.
In 2001 around 400 outdoor retailers and 290 single-brand stores shared the market for outdoor sports products; by 2006 there were 2,125 retailers specializing in outdoor products. At the same time, market volume grew from CNY 100 million (approximately 10 million) in 2001 to CNY 1.2 billion (120 million) in 2006. Experts predict annual sales to grow to between CNY 3.8 and 4.5 billion (350 to 450 million) by 2010.
Last year's “Asia Outdoor” pioneered new ground, making it the first and only Asian trade show dedicated exclusively to outdoor sports. Now organizers expect approximately 200 exhibitors (2006: 174 trade stands) and more than 10,000 trade visitors (2006: 6,743) to attend this year's event (23-26 August 2007).
The “Asia Outdoor Trade Fair” was founded by Messe Friedrichshafen and Knut Jaeger Marketing and Development, together with the owners of Beijing's Alpinist Magazine as strategic partners. “The partnership with Friedrichshafen has made “Asia Outdoor” a top-notch event from the outset”, says Knut Jaeger. “We had a great start, with the first trade show receiving the 'Best Event Nanjing 2006' award. Our goal is to provide an outdoor platform for China and all the other Asian markets – Japan, Korea, Taiwan, India, Thailand and Nepal.”
Market globalization and the rapidly growing Chinese market have made it necessary to review the schedule for the Asian trade show. The planning for 2008 to 2010 has now been revised in coordination
