ISPO. 81.000 visiting business professionals from 109 countries visited ISPO MUNICH 2013 from February 3rd to 6th. This represents four percent more than in 2012. 66 percent of the visitors hailed from abroad, the majority from Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France and Great Britain. Klaus Dittrich, Chairman & CEO of Messe München International, emphasizes: “We experienced the strongest increase from Europe and Asia. We were extremely pleased that Spain has rejoined the list of winners and made the jump back into the top ten countries.”

ISPO MUNICH 2013, Halle A3, ZAG SKIS. Photo © Messe München

On the exhibitor side ISPO MUNICH also experienced new growth: 2,481 exhibitors from 52 countries (prior year: 2,344/51) presented their latest products. The net exhibit space increased by 430 square meters to 103,220 square meters total. This represents a new record for all relevant trade show statistics and once again validates its role as the leading international platform for the entire sports business.

The atmosphere was very positive during the four event days. About 74 percent of the visitors rated ISPO MUNICH 2013 as excellent to very good, another 24 percent rated the show as good. The positive results in 2012 for sports retail in particular created an upbeat outlook for the future. One of the primary reasons for this progress is that sports have gained enormous relevance in the health market. The 2nd ISPO Health Forum, held on February 5th at the International Congress Center Munich (ICM), also confirmed this development.

ISPO MUNICH 2013, Eingang West, Eröffnung. Photo © Messe München

When asked about their prognosis for the next twelve months, 45 percent of the visitors stated that ISPO MUNICH will continue to gain importance; 50 percent indicated that the trade show will maintain its high level of importance. The new service offers also received positive feedback: the online platform ISPO CONNECT, simplifying contacts and networking between exhibitors and visitors ahead of the show, received a very good to good rating from 89 percent of the polled. 93 percent rated the ISPO AWARD, the sports industry’s seal of quality, very good to good. And the new education platform ISPO Academy received a very good to good rating from 86 percent of visitors. Klaus Dittrich is pleased with these results: “This allows us to face the future with confidence. Our goal is a strong, further development as a yearround full-service provider for the sports industry, to network expertise from all over the world throughout the year, and actively endorse developments and trends in the sports business.”

Statements

Jørgen Jørgensen, Owner and Managing Director Norrøna:
This years ISPO MUNICH has been very busy, full up with sales meetings, and for us a very well organized trade show with a good progression in our way moving forward.

Peter Knoll, General Manager Germany and Austria Quiksilver:
This was the best ISPO MUNICH I’ve experienced in 17 years. We had more customers than ever before and were just about overwhelmed. Our comeback was definitely worth it.

Giulio Colombo, CEO Manifattura Mario Colombo:
This edition of ISPO was the most important sports business exhibition for Colmar, and our presence was dedicated to launching our 90th anniversary celebrations. Our main goal is the development of export and ISPO MUNICH is the best window on the international market.

Tom Foley, General Manager, Intersport UK and Ireland:
The fact that ISPO is now more than a trade show and acts as a networking platform as well as a spotlight on creativity and business trends underlines the value of our decision to make ISPO MUNICH a critical part of our buying programme for the UK and Ireland

Ralf Lindner, Chairman of the Board, Medisana AG:
Within the first two days we were able to gain contact to sports retailers who are considering short-term placement of our products in their stores. In addition we received a lot of attention from the press and other media at our booth.

ISPO MUNICH 2014 will be held from January 26th to 29th at Messe München. For more information on ISPO MUNICH, please refer to www.ispo.com/munich.

Press Release
ISPO MUNICH 2013
Munich, February 06, 2013