• New: 7Skygreenroom, European Park Conference, Retail Station and ispo eLounge 
• European Fashion Award “FASH 2010”: “Privacy” of fashion
• Always of interest: ispo Best Ager Gallery, Runner’s World Action Point, board_ispo shop summit  

ispo 10 welcomes visitors from February 7th to 10th, 2010 not only with new products and highlights from the sporting goods and sports fashion industry, but also offers a multi-faceted side event program. In addition to established events such as the snow ice & rock summit presented by Marmot or the various ispo Awards, the exposition offers a number of new and innovative platforms and conferences.  
 
For example, the 7Skygreenroom; a platform got board_ispo brands manufacturing their sports apparel with reduced energy and resource consumption. The manufacturer’s level of involvement in eco-friendly activities is evaluated according to a special rating system developed for apparel with the help of a number of eco-certificates. At the 7Skygreenroom exhibitors like Zimtstern, Patagonia, and Mountain Rider will present their products to international visitors as well as have a chance to meet and find new inspiration. The accompanying conference “Wie man grün produziert” (“The how-to of ‘green’ production”) will be held on Tuesday, February 9th at 10 am in room A32, hall A3. Another seminar on the related topic “bluesign” is scheduled for Sunday, February 7th at 3 pm and Tuesday, February 9th at 11 am in room B13, hall B1.
 
Due to the increasing popularity of Snowparks  - another important topic related to sustainability and climate change – ispo created the first European Snowpark Conference for snowboarders, Freeskiers, and park shapers. It is a get-together for the organizers of the top Freestyle snowparks and resorts, to discuss the latest trends, technologies, business management, and events, as well as safety standards for construction and maintenance of kickers, half pipes, and rails. The European Snowpark Conference will be held in hall A1.128.
 
For the second time the board_ispo shop summit will feature the motto “Modern Shop Strategies”. At this event snowboard retailers have the chance to get together in a relaxed environment and to exchange ideas and know-how. In addition to this contact network the summit also endorses productive encounters with experts: every day an expert is on hand to answer questions or give advice, and the “Extension Pack” provides additional information on current issues such as marketing on Facebook, Twitter or other social networking sites. More inspiration is to be had from the “New Blood Activists”. These individuals, companies or organizations endorse the search for new snowboard athletes. In addition, the summit offers a Job Agency and the presentation of the ispo Boardsports Awards. The board_ispo shop summit is located in hall A1. 222.
 
In order to satisfy the ever growing Freeski/Freeride market this year’s ispo will feature a special hall designated to this sport. The new Retail Station is a platform for all retailers and important groups from this scene. This platform uses existing concepts to show how retailers can successfully implement the topic of Freeski/Freeride at POS or online. Interested retailers should not miss a visit to the Retail Station in hall A3 to find new inspiration for his/her own store. Yet Retail Station not only puts a spotlight on retail, but covers other important tools such as events, community, media, and riders. Retail Station presented by Freeride World Tour will be available from February 7th to 10h, 2010 in hall A3.318.
 
For the fifth time ispo puts the spotlight on the continuously growing number of older athletes in its ispo Best Ager Gallery to prove to trade show visitors this target group’s attractive potential. ispo and the market researchers of Sports Tracking Europe focused their latest research on purchasing habits in the sports retail sector in Europe. The fact is that sales to older customers have the potential for growth! Also fact is that there is no ONE Best Ager product! What can be improved considerably is the communication with these customers. Well-known representatives of sports retail, manufacturing, as well as participants from outside the sports industry will discuss the pros and cons of targeted communication with older customers in the sports market. The ispo Best Ager Gallery is located in hall B2.121.
 
The Runner’s World Action Point is the presentation area and meeting point for the entire endurance sports market. Two stages in the center of the Performance Hall B4 host a multi-faceted and exciting program – including interviews, product presentations, lectures, and running demonstrations. This year the focus is on hardware and technical accessories for runners and the latest compression wear products and technology. Endurance sports fans can find the Runner’s World Action Point in hall B4.504
 
In these times of increasing social networking and public exposure, the European Fashion Award “FASH 2010” searches for means to regain some of the “Privacy”, which is also the motto for 2010. Finding privacy in or with the help of fashion. The competition targets particularly talented students from all areas of design, in particular from the textile and fashion design segment. Last October an international jury of design, industry, and media experts selected the finalists from 63 student entries from nine countries.  In addition to cash prizes and fabric vouchers the winners can look forward to a special exhibition area at ispo 10’s sportstyle_ispo. The award presentation will be held on Sunday, February 7th at noon at booth B2.400.
 
Another new feature is the ispo eLounge. Software solutions for management of B2B processes have gained increasing popularity at ispo. In order to create a targeted networking area for software suppliers and sports industry decision makers, ispo implemented the eLounge. Companies such as BTwentyfour, Centerstone, BEDAV, SOQ.de will present their services and tools, focusing on simplifying the business communication between retailers and suppliers, and web shop solutions. The eLounge is located at the West entrance and open throughout the day. Every day, a special e-seminar on this topic will be held at 3 pm in room B31, hall B3.
 
Of course, the ispo side event program also includes classic events such as the Wearable Technologies Show, now located at ispovision in hall B1, or the ispoBrandNew Village in hall A3. Plenty of excitement is to be had at the DAV Boulder Cup and Kids’ Cup, part of the snow ice & rock summit presented by Marmot, and at the Outdoor Fashion Shows, featuring the latest Outdoor products with a sports-oriented choreography. Stopping by is worth it.
 
21/MK/vH