1 000 brands at OutDoor show

While sports trade shows around the world pull out all the stops to attract exhibitors, the OutDoor Show has solid support from the outdoor industry’s “Top 100” and each year has to extend exhibition space.

The theme of the 2008 show will be “The Challenge of Sustainability” where questions like how can a growing number of outdoor enthusiasts use the landscape in such a way that nature is preserved? Which trends will shape the industry in the future and how can we guarantee its sustained growth? A detailed programme of talks and the panel discussion can be found online from the end of May within the events programme.

Most brands well-known in South Africa will be among the more than 1000 global brands shown by 750 exhibitors from 38 countries that have already booked space for this year’s show. About 80% of these exhibitors are from outside Germany, making this a truly international get-together of the outdoor fraternity.

There will be a strong trail running presence – including athletic brand New Balance - and other footwear brands like Nike ACG, Salomon, Hi-Tec, Montrail, The North Face, La Sportiva, Merrell, Wolverine and Vasque. Other brands well-known in SA include Black Diamond, Bodyglide, Buff, Camelbak, Coghlan’s, Columbia, Driza-Bone, Garmin, Helly Hansen, Karrimor, Katadyn, Life is Good, Nikewax, Petzl, Princeton Tec, Silva, Steripen, Suunto, Vaude and Victorinox etc.

Finding accommodation around Lake Constance has always been a problem for visitors, which is being addressed this year by a new initiative, Messe & Friends, that offers rooms in private homes as a further accommodation possibility, as well as new hotels that are being built. There are also new air routes and more frequent flights to Friedrichshafen, and a free bus shuttle service will during the show directly connect Zurich airport to Messe Friedrichshafen.

For information about travel and reservations, contact reservation@messe-fn.de, while visitor information can be obtained from visitors@messe-fn.de. Visitors can now register online at www.european-outdoor.de/html/en/visitors/trade_visitor_tickets/trade_visitor_tickets.php