Fast Track: ISPO Winter 2007 — A Platform for Innovation

ISPO — the International Trade Fair for Sports Equipment and Fashion — is the world's largest and most diverse exhibition for the sports community. Its winter trade fair was held between February 4 and February 7, 2007 at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre in Germany. For the first time, the event used all of the New Munich Trade Fair Centre, which occupies an area of over 180,000 square metres. The event attracted a record 1,970 exhibiting companies from 48 countries, compared with 1,633 in 2006, and the number of trade visitors also increased, from 61,087 in 2006 to 64,000 in 2007 — a rise of approximately 5%. This Fast Track report on ISPO Winter 2007 as a platform for innovation appeared in Issue 20 of Performance Apparel Markets, published in the 1st quarter of 2007 by Textiles Intelligence. To read the full report, readers order Issue 20 or subscribe.

A winter sports trade fair display of ski and snowboard apparel on stands with exhibition signage, product photography with no people

A Record Fair in Munich

The numbers describe a fair still growing into its venue. Using the whole of the New Munich Trade Fair Centre for the first time — over 180,000 square metres — ISPO Winter 2007 drew a record 1,970 exhibiting companies from 48 countries, up from 1,633 exhibitors the year before, and 64,000 trade visitors, up approximately 5% from 61,087 in 2006. For the performance apparel industry, ISPO is where the winter season's products, technologies and fibres are shown to the trade in one place, which is why Performance Apparel Markets gives the fair its Fast Track treatment: a fast, structured read of the key developments at the event for subscribers who could not walk every hall.

The Publication Around the Report

Four times a year, Performance Apparel Markets provides subscribers with business and market analysis of worldwide trends in high performance activewear and corporate apparel. Each issue contains a report on major developments in the global performance apparel market, focusing on new products, new technologies, new fibres and key players; a detailed, independently-researched report on one topic from a standing list — moisture management, temperature regulation, stretch, high strength, reflective wear, support wear, UV protection, windproof, waterproof and water-resistant technologies, flame retardancy and smart textiles; a company profile outlining the business, product, market and manufacturing strategies of a key player; and a summary of business news and developments, majoring on innovations, mergers and acquisitions, investments, joint ventures and financial performances.

Why Performance Apparel?

Performance apparel represents one of the fastest growing sectors of the international textile and clothing industry. Market growth is being fuelled by the emergence of new fibres, new fabrics and innovative process technologies, and boosted by changes in consumer lifestyles: people are living longer and spending more time on leisure activities. New high-tech fabrics are being developed for a wide range of active sports — aerobics, athletics, running, cycling, hiking, mountaineering, swimming, sailing, windsurfing, ballooning, parachuting, snowboarding and skiing. Innovations are emerging in fire retardant materials and those which protect against extreme temperatures, the market for corporatewear is growing and in some cases becoming increasingly fashion-oriented, and high-tech fabrics and apparel designed for high performance wear are increasingly crossing over into everyday fashion. A trade fair report earns its place in that publication by spotting which of the innovations on show — in fibres, fabrics and finished apparel — are likely to reach the market, and ISPO Winter 2007, with exhibitors from 48 countries, was the broadest platform the winter sports industry offered.

Common Questions

When and where was ISPO Winter 2007 held?

Between February 4 and February 7, 2007, at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre in Germany — the first time the event used all of the centre's over 180,000 square metres.

How many exhibitors and visitors did it attract?

A record 1,970 exhibiting companies from 48 countries, compared with 1,633 in 2006, and 64,000 trade visitors, up approximately 5% from 61,087 in 2006.

What is ISPO?

The International Trade Fair for Sports Equipment and Fashion — the world's largest and most diverse exhibition for the sports community. This Fast Track report appeared in Issue 20 of Performance Apparel Markets, 1st quarter 2007.