ispo Russia summer 06, which took place in the Crocus Expo Center in Moscow from September 20 to 23, 2006, recorded an increase in visitor figures on the four trade fair days. In the Crocus Expo Center in Moscow, a total of 8,415 (2005: 7,792) visitors were counted from all regions of Russia as well as from 20 other countries. That amounts to approx. 8% more visitors than in the previous year. In addition to Russia, the largest visitor contingents came from Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Belarus. Thanks to a top-rate key account program, the quality of the visitors was also increased. More than 400 key accounts from more than 30 regions of Russia were specifically selected and brought to the trade fair within the framework of the program. The last trade fair day was also open to enthusiastic sports opinion leaders, who were represented with 1,903 of the overall visitors, in connection with sports events such as the ispo Russia Climbing Cup, the “Strongest Man of Russia” contest and the “Atoms Family Freestyle Show”.
The trade fair was opened with a festive ceremony by Manfred Wutzlhofer, Chief Executive Officer of Messe München GmbH, Andrey Maslak, Chairperson of the Sports Communication Group (SCG), Vyacheslav Starshinov, President of the Russian Association of the Sporting Industry Enterprises (RASIE), Vladimir Bogdanov, Chairperson of the Russian Outdoor Group (ROG), and Gusenzade Chingis Muhtarovich, Vice President of the Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan. The speakers all emphasized the rapid development and the enormous potential of the Russian market.
A total of 284 (2005: 309) national and international brands exhibited on an area of 16,000 square meters. As a result, the demanding brand portfolio could be expanded further following the successful winter trade fair last February. Among others, boardsport specialists such as Vans, Lib Tec, Dragon, Sapient, Fanatic and F2 as well as renowned outdoor brands such as Columbia, BASK, Salewa, Red Fox, Marmot, Schöffel and Tatonka exhibited. Successful companies such as Mizuno, New Balance, Asics, Hi-Tec, Dunham, Converse, La Sportiva and Merrell were present from the footwear sector, and international sportswear big names such as Sergio Tacchini, Sportalm, Rovera, Röhnisch, Conte of Florence, Campagnolo and Baltic Bridge were there. Businessmen interested in fitness found the latest products of their segment at exhibitors such as Kettler, Torneo, Body Solid, Stiga, RBK and Tunturi.
In addition to a strong brand portfolio, the organizers again arranged a varied and informative program of events. The highlights included the “Olympic Summit”. Numerous representatives of the Russian Olympic Committee, the CIS countries, Western Europe and Central Asia as well as RASIE (Russian Association of the Sporting Goods Industry) discussed and provided advice within the framework of the “Olympic Outfit Summit” about current topics, e.g., the “Development of International, Olympic Relations: Perspective, Achievements, Problems”.
For the first time, the Scandinavian Outdoor Group, SOG, exhibited within the framework of the Scandinavian Villages at ispo Russia. This is a concept, which has proven its worth over the past five years in Munich. Eleven brands were grouped around the Scandinavian Bar in Moscow and presented the friendly Scandinavian way of doing business while emphasizing their strong tradition in trade relations and their quality consciousness.
Commercial activity, filled trade fair booths and excited conversions also set the tone for trade fair goings-on in the Outdoor Village with its brands Melo, Alpina, Petzl Charlet Moser, Marmot, Red Fox, La Sportiva, Vans, Tatonka, Salewa and numerous other companies. Following the model of the successful Outdoor Village concept in Munich, the Russian Outdoor Group (TOG) exhibited for the first time in an area especially created for this. ROG is the official partner of ispo Russia and was formed at the beginning of this year to promote the development of the Russian outdoor industry and consolidate competing Russian outdoor brands.
Further expansion of visitor activities and marketing measures are planned for the next ispo Russia winter, which will take place in the Crocus Expo Center in Moscow from February 19 to 23, 2007.
Manfred Wutzlhofer, CEO Messe München GmbH:
“We are going to expand the key account program further with our Russian partners, who have a very good network not only in the individual regions of Russia, but also in the neighboring countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, to increase quality even more. In addition, we are going to expand visitor canvassing by collaborating with media partners from mass media all the way to sport trade and special interest magazines. The same applies to collaboration with partners such as European industry associations and economic ministries to increase the presence of international brands on the exhibitor side too.”
ispo Russia summer 07 will take place from September 5 to 8, 2007 and consequently two weeks earlier to do justice to the order conditions of the market.
