ISPO MUNICH:More popular than ever

As a leading global trade fair, ISPO MUNICH is on the most important industry and network platforms in the sports business: More than 2,700 exhibitors present trends and new products for the upcoming season each year in 16 halls. ISPO MUNICH 2018 will focus on major topics like digitalization, crossindustry, women in sports and sustainability. With its expanded range, ISPO MUNICH will also highlight new developments in the sports business on January 28 to 31, 2018.

More than 86,000 visitors and over 2,700 exhibitors — 2017 was a record year for ISPO MUNICH.In 2018, the trade fair will generate new interest with its broad range of products and be more popular than ever before. Markus Hefter, the project group leader of ISPO MUNICH, explains: “Right now, we have 15 percent more demand for space than we had last year.To meet it, we are responding to the current growth of the sports business with our expanded hall concept.Trade visitors will have a perfect overview of the entire sports industry. We will also provide exhibitors with the best-possible presentation of their brand messages.” The 16 halls will be broken down into eight segments: Snowsports, Outdoor, Health & Fitness, Urban, Teamsports, Vision, Manufacturing & Suppliers as well as Trends and Innovation & Industry Services.The trade fair will also include focus areas in each of the eight segments to provide detailed insights into the individual themes. Water sports, for instance, will be showcased in a large area as part of the Outdoor segment and wearables in Health & Fitness.

Under the umbrella of Snowsports, manufacturers will show off their entire product range for winter sports: from skiing, freeskiing and snowboarding to snowshoe hiking, cross-country skiing and sled riding.“You will see all facets of winter sports here,” Hefter says. “We will create synergies with all types of winter sports without losing sight of the core areas of skiing and snowboarding.”

Retailers, distributors and sports enthusiasts will find information, inspiration and innovations in the segment Trends, Innovation & Industry Services.Newcomers and start-ups will showcase the future of sports industry here. Advanced-training and innovation platforms like the Retail Lab and the ISPO ACADEMY will present trend-setting developments. The focus of planned presentations, seminars and interactive forums will be the digital transformation of the sports industry. Under the name “Digital Readiness”,industry and retail representatives will learn how to competitively run their business in the future.

More space for growing segments

The segments Outdoor and Health & Fitness promise to provide growth and potential for sales channels and retail space. In 2018, these areas will have additional exhibition space. The four outdoor halls will supply information about trends and innovations ranging from mountain and rock climbing to bouldering, trail running, camping and water sports.Health & Fitness will present trends in running, urban fitness, body & mind and athleisure.

A focus on topics of the future

Visitors to the trade fair will experience live just what new types of concepts will be offered by digitalization in sports: sporting devices that can be controlled by app, washable and expandable sensors in functional clothing, digital customer services and online solutions for specialist sports stores — digital business models and smart, connected sports products are constantly being refined. New technologies will provide important momentum for the sporting goods industry and will fuel innovation. With Cross Industry, ISPO has created a format that can connect business professionals throughout the industry, combine know-how and thus encourage out-of-the-box thinking. The successful concept will be continued at ISPO MUNICH 2018.

Women in sports business was presented as a top subject for the first time in 2017. ISPO MUNICH 2018 will focus once again on this new development area. It will cover such areas as women in management positions and gender marketing — for female trade visitors, exhibitors, journalists and influencers, the trade fair is the perfect place to come together, gain information, find inspiration and make contacts. Plans include once again the ISPO Munich Women’s Lounge,Experts4Women guided tours and podium discussions as part of the ISPO ACADEMY.