Numerous lectures, presentations and workshops will feature real industry experts. © ISPO

OutDoor by ISPO will open its doors for the first time ever in Munich from 30 June to 3 July. After 25 years, the relocation to the capital city of the German state of Bavaria not only means that Europe’s largest outdoor trade fair has a new venue, but the event’s concept has also been completely redesigned.

Trade visitors can expect to see products and topics presented in a way which adopts a consumer-centric approach and focuses on the interests and concerns of the retail industry. As part of an inclusive outdoor mindset, traditional areas such as hiking and climbing will of course be included but so too will newer activities such as trail running or mountain biking. In addition, there is cooperation with other sectors.

The design of the exhibition space, integrating numerous different focus and activation areas, will truly reflect the diversity of outdoor, organisers explain. Thanks to areas, such as the perfect hang-out for sport climbers and boulderers, the Indoor Climbing Hub, the River Lake Camp, focusing on water sports, The Borderlands, an exhibition space dedicated to urban outdoor culture, and the Adventure, Tourism & Travel Hub, concentrating on adventure travel, each activity and all the variations it encompasses will be placed centre stage. There will also be several different areas covering over-arching topics.

Sustainability

The CSR Hub & Sustainability Kiosk in Hall B6 will be dedicated to the increasingly important topic of sustainability. CSR experts will be on hand to provide insights into the sector’s latest sustainability projects and products. The European Outdoor Group (EOG) will focus on the sector’s approach to disposable, single-use plastic and the Hohenstein Institute will present the topic of biodegradable materials.

The programme will also include a presentation by the world’s first ever climate-positive outdoor shoe producer Icebug, as well as a speech by The North Face on its experiences of and future plans regarding the manufacturing of sustainable products. adidas will be showcasing its adidas X Parley collection, which is based on upcycled plastic waste collected from beaches and coastal areas. The keynote speech of the German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Dr Gerd Müller, entitled Sustainability will only work if adopted by social consensus on 1 July will be a highlight.

Latest trends

The latest trends and styles from the world of shoes, socks and accessories will be provided with a fitting setting in their own special exhibition area, the Shoe & Trailrunning Village, in Hall A5. A 50-metre-long track will be available for putting products to the test. From technical alpine mountaineering boots right through to urban outdoor sneakers, big brands from this segment will be exhibiting alongside each other, including Aku, Kamik, Keen, Lowa, Meindl, Merrell, On, Tecnica and the insole specialist Sidas, as well as classic shoe retailers such as Gabor.

In collaboration with the Messe München Frauen verbinden (Connecting Women) initiative, the agenda of the Women’s in Outdoorbusiness Lounge in Hall B5 will be demonstrating that women have long been important industry drivers—in management positions and as athletes, opinion leaders and consumers. As such, Marion Schöne, Managing Director of the Munich Olympic Park, and Hetty Key, an adventurer and blogger, will be sharing their experiences, hopes and visions.

X-industry: the bigger picture

The X-Industry segment will provide visitors with the bigger picture, enabling them to see beyond the confines of the outdoor sector. The automatica, electronica, EXPO REAL, IFAT, LOPEC, LASER World of PHOTONICS and transport logistic exhibitions and trade fairs will be presented as part of the X-Industry focus area in Hall B5, illustrating the true potential of cooperation for the outdoor sector.

Presentations will also be given by industry representatives from the world of printed electronics. There will also be a tour for automatica and LOPEC exhibitors, which will introduce them to potential business partners.

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