ISPO Press Portal

ISPO Munich, the world’s largest trade fair for sporting goods, ended today with a successful attendance total of about 80,000 visitors. Even though the winter weather made it difficult for some visitors to attend the fair, it also brightened spirits in the 18 halls of Messe München. In addition to innovations in the areas of winter sports, outdoor and fitness, the industry learned how to remain attractive to consumers of the future. The issues of sustainability, digitalization and, for the first time, eSports played a major role here. eSports.

ISPO, the world’s leading sports network for business professionals and consumer experts, is teaming up with the ATTA. The global association serves more than 1,300 members in more than 100 countries, including national and regional tourism boards, tour operators, accommodations, outdoor gear suppliers, media, travel advisors, service providers and guides. This long-term international cooperation will begin at the OutDoor by ISPO trade fair in Munich (June 30 to July 3, 2019). The collaboration will focus on the expanded outdoor concept of OutDoor by ISPO. It is also intended to open up new opportunities for retailers and manufacturers in the sporting goods industry as well as for suppliers and service providers in the adventure travel sector.

The OutDoor by ISPO trade fair will be held in Munich from June 30 to July 3 for the first time. The concept presented last year has been met with great approval in the industry: About 700 international exhibitors have already registered for the event five months before its debut. New partnerships with important multipliers are strengthening the network. Visitors can look forward to a new hall design that offers a platform for both classic and new outdoor activities alike. With specific measures for retailers and consumers, the new outdoor mindset will be transported to all target groups. In addition to the trade fair, OutDoor by ISPO offers a year-round industry platform based on the digital and analogue offerings of the ISPO network.

But what does it mean to be outdoors and what is its significance for people? What hurdles need to be overcome for the perfect outdoor experience? Commissioned by the OutDoor by ISPO team at Messe München, the renowned Cologne-based market research institute rheingold searched across Germany for answers to these questions and investigated the spiritual core of being outdoors. The results can be used to derive specific recommended actions for outdoor gear manufacturers and specialty retailers.

Individualized products are moving to the forefront, creating a broad range of new opportunities for the sporting goods industry in the process. This trend is all about “me, myself and I.” And that should be found in the product being purchased. Examples range from personally designed athletic shoes or skis to customized ski boots. Brands are learning that they must integrate their customers into manufacturing processes or into the late-stage refinement work that goes into their products. The trend is being accelerated by digital gadgets, those popular “wearables” that are actually mini-computers that support athletes during their activities and collect data. These data then form the basis for the manufacture of even more personalized products. At ISPO Munich (February 3–6, 2019), trade visitors will gain a comprehensive overview of today’s and tomorrow’s trends.

The international survey of ISPO Munich involving 833 exhibitors and visitors to ISPO Munich shows that a high share of sports products is specifically aimed at women – but there are still too few female managers. While the sports business increasingly focuses on women and their requirements as a target group, a lot of potential is not being exploited in the areas of marketing and product development.

Enthusiasm for winter sports remains unbroken. Demand for the right winter sports equipment is correspondingly high. The buying preferences of many amateur athletes have changed considerably in recent years: for example, consumers are increasingly interested in how sustainable their equipment is and what materials are used to produce it. In addition, many are becoming more willing to spend on high-quality products if this increases enjoyment and performance.

From yoga and fitness trends to esports and new developments in the world of climbing: more than 2,800 international exhibitors will be presenting their highlights and innovations at ISPO Munich, the world’s largest sports trade fair, which is set to be held from February 3 to 6. In addition to live demonstrations and workshops, industry professionals can expect to see a large number of prominent athletes. Among them biathlon legend Ole Einar Bjørndalen, who will receive the ISPO Cup this year.