The first ISPO SHANGHAI has closed its doors following what the organizers are heralding as ‘a successful premiere’. 18,957 visitors attended the three-day event in Shanghai from 2–4 July 2015. 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 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.
Klaus Dittrich, Chairman and CEO of Messe München GmbH, also had positive feedback. He said, “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.
“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.”
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, forums where high-level speakers including Nigel Foster and Darren Bush spoke, and a 200 square meter showroom featuring all the latest products and artwork from the highly creative sports, fitness and outdoor sectors.
Paul März, exhibition director of ISPO SHANGHAI and ISPO BEIJING said, “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.”
ISPO SHANGHAI also marked the premiere of ISPO BRANDNEW in China, which showcased the products of new companies. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, ISPO BRANDNEW is seen as a favourite among industry representatives and visitors alike and is seen as ‘proof of ISPO’s commitment to the growth and longevity of the sports market.’
The show’s popularity and the large number of visitors from throughout China as well as other Asian countries is an 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 gross national product from currently 0.6%to 1.0% 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.
After such a success, it is clear that meets the need for a new trade show with a multi-segment concept. The 2016 edition of ISPO SHANGHAI will take place at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) from 7-9 July.
