The Sports Industry is back

The Covid-19 pandemic has had many tragic consequences, but they have failed to halt peoples’ passion for sports: after the lockdown, the desire for an active lifestyle with sports, fitness and outdoor activities is greater than ever. In addition to this passion, newly founded digital events and initiatives are also contributing to the revival of the sector.

Messe München has sent a clear signal in this direction with ISPO Shanghai 2020. From the 3rd to the 5th of July 17,776 visitors (+14%) flocked to the SNIEC to learn about future trends as well as the latest news in the outdoor, running, snow sports and health & fitness sector. The fact that Messe Munich, partners of Fiera Bolzano and co-organizer of Alpitec China, were so successful in organizing one of the first international post-pandemic trade shows, adds to the optimism for a successful Alpitec China 2021 (Beijing, 14.-17.01.2021).

This first "physical gathering" of the global sports and outdoor industry after the Covid-19 pandemic is an important signal for a new beginning. The successful digital expansion of this classic trade show format contributes greatly to this positive result. Apart from traditional visits at the exhibitors' booths, visitors of ISPO Shanghai were able to participate in interactive areas and live streams such as VLOGs. More than 100 Key Opinion Leaders (KOL) and sports industry influencers have followed up on their invitation to the event and reached more than 20 million followers in the process.

ISPO Shanghai also provided a new live streaming platform where exhibitors could present their novelties during the show. In total, 22 live streams with 28,918 page visits were recorded, allowing wholesalers and retailers to learn about new products and communicate with the producers even from remote.

Fiera Bolzano, like many trade show organizers worldwide, is already taking a similar approach to digitization: several webinars, interviews and round tables on a number of different sectors are already available online. Alpitec China is going to be the physical restart for Fiera Bolzano in China, as well as a great opportunity for the sports industry to fully recover from the Covid-19 pandemic in the months leading up to the WOG 2022.