Markus Hefter: "Let's Arouse the Enthusiasm for Sport Together"

ISPO.com: In 1970 ISPO opened its first trade show gates in Munich, and the trade show quickly established itself as the leading platform in the sports business. How would you summarize the most important topics for ISPO Munich 2020?
Markus Hefter: Here we are focusing on the core of what is important to everyone in our industry and what is the central driver for what we do: We want to succeed in awakening enthusiasm for sport in each of us together with everyone in the industry and at the same time create awareness for a sustainable approach to nature.

That's why we have two central slogans for the upcoming ISPO Munich: #beactive and #beresponsible. Since digitization forces us to think two steps further, we have #beinnovative as the third motto of ISPO Munich 2020. All details with information about the show areas and event programmes can be found on the ISPO Munich 2020 segment page.

ISPO has adjusted its prices for 2020. Why so?
We have made the prices for the retailers even cheaper. Because it is still our goal to strengthen the sports retail trade. For example, retailers, wholesalers and distributors can book their day tickets until 16 December at the Early Bird rate for 15 euros, united in a separate price segment.

And what about visitors who do not come from the retail sector?
Last year, we further developed the ATM invitation platform (which stands for Altogether to Munich). Here, exhibitors have the opportunity to invite their most important contacts to ISPO Munich, whether from the retail segment or not. ATM is a web-based platform for professional invitation management. There customer lists can be imported, invitations can be sent and tracked and appointments can also be made within the framework of ISPO Munich.

This is a great advantage for our exhibitors and for all visitors. We have raised the ticket price for trade visitors who do not come from the retail, wholesale or distribution/retail sector. Because it is one of our most important concerns that we further strengthen the very high level of contact quality at ISPO Munich.

And what's also very important to me: With 17 euros there are affordable day tickets for trainees, pupils and students.

Will there be some special events for 50 years of ISPO at ISPO Munich?
For us, ISPO Munich is the prelude to a whole series of events in the anniversary year. I don't want to reveal too much in the run-up to the fair, but just as we have developed from a trade show to a 365-day platform, for example with ISPO Digitize, the ISPO Academy or also with ISPO.com, we will now take another decisive step forward. What exactly this looks like, we will present at the ISPO Munich, on Monday, 27 January, in the context of a press conference.