- Broad, international portfolio of exhibitors
- Climbing as trend topic
- Expanded, year-round offerings for opinion leaders
A glance at the list of exhibitors reveals one thing: The portfolio of exhibiting companies is broad and international. Chinese industry heavyweights like Kailas, Mobigarden and Toray will be present, as will major international brands. Companies like K2, Oakley, Primaloft and Uvex will showcase their new products, as they have done for years. UYN, a producer of functional underwear, and Schöffel, a maker of outdoor and ski clothing, will display their products at the Beijing exhibition for the first time. “For the first time in 2020, Schöffel will be launching a collection in China—this is an important step for us. We have made intensive research on this special market and last year we were able to find a strong sales partner who matches our needs. We have been cooperating with ISPO for decades and for us it is a logical move to use this platform for a successful market entry in China. For us, ISPO Beijing stands for country-specific industry expertise and unique networking opportunities,” says managing associate Peter Schöffel.
“The trust brands have in us and our platform demonstrates once again that we are heading in the right direction,” said Jeanette Loos, Global ISPO Group Director. “There is a good reason why ISPO Beijing is the industry’s leading trade fair in Asia. Thanks to the expertise we have gained over the years and our network of industry and trend experts, we can spot trends as they are emerging and offer the right insights about them.”
The topic of climbing is attracting increased attention along with winter sports, which are booming in China as the Winter Olympics 2022 in Beijing approaches. The ISPO team is addressing this trend by setting up a special focal site for it: A striking boulder block, a test area and a networking zone will serve as a venue where visitors can try out products and talk about trends and developments. Black Diamond, Kailas, La Sportiva, Mammut, Vibram and Walltopia are some of the well-known companies that will be located at the site.
The China Rock Climbing Industry Development Forum will also be held on Wednesday, February 12. Domestic experts will explore developments in the Chinese industry. The necessary base of information will be provided by the China Rock Climbing Industry Data Report 2019. In addition, talks will delve into bureaucratic, legal and strategic questions related to the sport of indoor and outdoor climbing as well as into the marketing of the sport.
In terms of digitalization and the related momentum in the sporting-goods retail industry in China, key opinion leaders (KOL) are playing an increasing important role as disseminators of brand messages. After expanding the visitor audience last year, the ISPO team has been working to broaden this target group even further this year: In its role as a year-round platform, the ISPO community in China links KOLs to the industry with the help of consumer-centric and exclusive events and offerings. It is aimed at athletes, stars, industry stakeholders, organizers of and participants in athletic competitions as well as representatives of sport clubs and facilities.
Even before ISPO Beijing begins, interested individuals can gain an initial overview of current issues in the Chinese market by attending the China Deep Dive Conference that will be held on January 28 as part of ISPO Munich. The conference is designed for all interested industry members who have not (yet) traveled to Beijing in 2020. The program will include talks on the winter sports industry, new shopping experiences in outdoor retail, digitalization and social commerce. The Chinese Sports Consumer Values 2019 will be presented as well and offer insights into the attitudes of end consumers in China. A panel discussion on distribution strategies in China is also planned.
