Sports Source Asia, the international sourcing fair for sports equipment and sports apparel, will be returning for its sixth year at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong from Oct. 28 to 30. In 2011, more than 6,200 buyers attended the fair, with over half were from overseas.
During Sports Source Asia 2011, the top 10 visiting countries and regions among the buyers were the Chinese mainland, the U.S., Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan, Australia, Korea, Canada, Malaysia and France.
Sports Source Asia 2011 also featured 180 exhibitors from eight countries and regions with India, Korea, Pakistan and Taiwan all represented by group pavilions. They exhibited in product specific zones including Outdoor Sports Zone, Fitness Zone, Sportswear & Shoes, Sports Equipment & Accessories, and Fabrics & Materials.
Co-organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and MMI Asia Pte Ltd., the show is designed for easy navigation by buyers and features four zones: the Premium Zone, Water Sports Zone, Outdoor Sports Zone, and Fitness Zone. High-end brands are concentrated in the Premium Zone, a sector designed to maximize brand recognition and support a launch pad for new brands.
The show comes as organizers noted in a statement that the sporting goods industry is expanding steadily in the region as people appreciate the health and leisure benefits of physical activity. Athletic apparel is also increasingly embraced by the casual wear market with new performance materials also increasing its appeal. Increasing women and children participation globally is also leading to increased demand for sports-related goods.
The event also includes a networking reception, fashion parades of sportswear and accessories and exhibitors’ product demonstrations in the Activities Zone. Seminars cover lifestyle trends, markets developments and current industry issues.
Sports Source Asia is the only professional sporting goods show to be held in Hong Kong. The three-day event is said to be ideally situated with its long history as Asia’s premier trading hub giving it the expertise and the infrastructure to assist traders. The October show also is a peak sourcing period in Asia, particularly in the Pearl River Delta.
For over 30 years, HKTDC has been organizing some of the largest and most professional trade fairs in the world. With its extensive network of offices and databases of commercial contacts around the world, HKTDC strives to create the best fairs that bring business opportunities to traders. ISPO, MMI’s division of sports and sports fashion shows, is supporting SSA with its strong connections in the sporting goods markets around the world and extensive experience in organizing the International trade fairs for sports equipment and fashion in Munich, ISPO MUNICH & ISPO BIKE, and Chinese mainland, ISPO Beijing, for more than 40 years.
