The fourth annual ispo china exposition drew a record number of attendees and 329 brands, including  Burton, Gore-Tex, Quiksilver, Teva and Vasque.


The 2008 ispo china show, organized by Messe Muenchen International (MMI), was also the first supported by Nielsen Business Media (NBM), producer of the Outdoor Retailer, Action Sports Retailer, Interbike and Health + Fitness Business trade shows.  Nielsen was responsible for all North American sales and marketing efforts of MMI’s ispo china. The show took place Feb. 24-26 at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing.

“Nielsen Business Media’s relationship with Messe Munich has been a great opportunity to promote the presence of U.S. brands and business groups at ispo china and the importance of this market for the outdoor and action sports industries,” said Joe Flynn, vice president and general manager of Nielsen Business Media’s Sports Group.  “ispo china 2008 firmly established itself as the leading event in Asia for winter sports and is sure to continue to grow in 2009.  It is absolutely the best opportunity for brands interested in joining this explosive market.”


Brands from 21 countries were represented, including U.S. brands Burton, Gore-Tex, Quiksilver, Teva and Vasque.  In addition, Gore-Tex supported the China Outdoor Retailing Conference before the opening day of the show, which was attended by more than 200 Chinese retailers.  The Quiksilver Nightrail Session was also a highly successful event that represented China’s growing snowboarding scene, with local and international snowboarders competing before large crowds at the Nanshan ski resort and the Nokia Nanshan Mellow Park outside Beijing.  


“As one of the exhibitors who has participated in all four ispo china shows, we have witnessed its continued development as the show has proven its status as the leading trade event within the Chinese ski and outdoor industry,” said Samuel Chong, marketing director, Asia-Pacific Region, Gore-Tex.  “Based on a win-win foundation, we are happy to continue the relationship with ispo china as a strategic partner and to service the quickly developing industry.”


“2008 was the first year the Teva and Simple brands exhibited at ispo china, and we were impressed with the visiting department store delegation put together by the organizers,” said Li Jun, general manager, Arcticfox / Teva / Simple. “The sales channel of department stores is really important to us. ispo china gathers the brands, retailers, distributors, media and the customers that are our essential platform within the sports industry.”


ispo china 2009 (dates to be announced shortly) will take on an even larger scope of the industry through an agreement with FieraBolzano, Italy, that joins the Alpitec Tradeshow for Mountain and Winter Technologies with ispo china.  The integration of Alpitec China 2009 will add an important segment to the show and include all professionals involved in the Chinese snow sports and the outdoor market.


“ispo china is no doubt the next frontier for the outdoor business,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president of Outdoor Industry Association. “The show was a very exciting place to be – to watch the phenomenal development of the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and established outdoor brands resonating so strongly as they share their passions with an enthusiastic Asia market.”