The 12th Asia Outdoor leading outdoor trade show is to take place in Nanjing, China, from 29 June to 2 July with support from the leading Chinese outdoor brands, as well as the Chinese Outdoor Association (COA).

A special focus will be placed on the exchange between industry members, which will be facilitated by discussion panels and the Outdoor China Summit in Nanjing Int'l Expo Convention Center on 28 June. As a business platform for both brands and distributors, Asia Outdoor covers almost all the product categories of the outdoor industry, providing a fantastic showcase of new trends in the sector.

“We are happy and proud of this trusting partnership that we have established with our key partners in China,” said Stefan Reisinger, Head of OutDoor and Eurobike. “From the outset, our goal has been to support and grow the Chinese outdoor market in collaboration with the sector in China. Our joint approach involves a win-win situation aimed at developing the outdoor market in China over the years to come.”

Encouraging innovation

By mid-May, the number of exhibitors registered for Asia Outdoor 2017 had reached over 480 with nearly 660 brands. Among them are names such as Alocs, Beaume, Blackdeer, Carava, Fenix, Fire-Maple, Gregory, Himalaya, Kailas, Lowa, MBC, Meindl, Mobi Garden, Nextorch, Northland, Primaloft, Rebornsun, Scarpa, Scaler, Sunrei, Tecnica, Tifosi, Tittallon, Toread, UTO und Vaude.

Asia Outdoor is also a comprehensive platform for learning, sharing experience, exchanging information and communicating socially. It organises many seminars, knowledge-transfer sessions and popular practical activities every year. These include the COA Outdoor China Summit, Running Village, Tent City, Workshops on Clubs and Camping, Water Sports Village, Night Trail Running, as well as the Climbing Competition.

Annual updates of the support programme every year ensure that Asia Outdoor keeps pace with the times and the industry trends, organisers report. “Asia Outdoor moves forward in tandem with the development of the outdoor industry, which it helps to promote by encouraging innovation and environmental protection,” explained Richard Li, Project Director of Asia Outdoor.

Outdoor travel market

In 2017, based on the work and experience of Tent City, Outdoor Club Home, RV & Self-driving Village and Camping Open Class in previous years, Asia Outdoor 2017 will further explore and highlight the outdoor travel market during the show through presentations of the entire supply chain and discussions in workshops.

An entire hall of 12,000 m2 in Nanjing International Expo Center will become the Outdoor Travel Theme Hall, consisting of outdoor brands specializing in camping, outdoor travel, RV & Self-driving, outdoor clubs and online travel agents, etc. Furthermore, work is also underway on interactive events targeting the outdoor traveling theme, including matchmaking meetings, product launches, and open classes for the segment, organisers report.

Asia Outdoor Industry Award 2017

Applications opened in March for the Asia Outdoor Industry Award 2017, which aims to honour outdoor products displaying excellence through innovation and technology. The awards ceremony will take place on 29 June and the winning products will be displayed at a prime location during the show.

The jury will comprise industry experts including mountaineering guides, outdoor product designers, media representatives, experts in specialist segments such as running. A newcomer from the senior players will act as a "public judge", and will be elected by outdoor enthusiasts and members of the public to evaluate and comment on the entries from the perspective of users.

Running Village

Running Village remains one of the major highlights of Asia Outdoor in 2017. Among the brands that have already reserved their booths to present the latest running products and technology are AfterShokz, Anita, Antu, CEP, Duveil, Feetures, FlipBelt, Garmn, GU, HAD, Halo, Headsweats, Julbo, Lizard, Mico, Nikwax, OS1st, Polar Bottle, Royal Bay, Sable, Shock Absorber, Tecnica, Tifosi, Trigger Point, TXG, Topspeed, Uglow, Vitargo, Vskin, Yvette, and 361°.

As an added feature, this year’s Running Village will be organising Running Events Matchmaking, aimed at creating win-win cooperation opportunities between brands and events. Asia Outdoor 2017 is open to trade visitors only from 29 June to 2 July.

www.asian-outdoor.com