In 2020 sport climbing will premiere as an Olympic discipline in Tokyo, likely to generate further media attention. However, actual data for the industry’s growth numbers aren’t available yet. How will the market differ between Europe, the US and China? Who will be the main actors in the young industry, and what expectations do users and customers have of bouldering and climbing providers? What is the likely development of the market and what impact will it have on the industry?
“Indoor Climbing HUB” will address these and other questions starting with its premiere at ISPO MUNICH 2019. One of the central goals at ISPO is gathering the key participants in the climbing gym boom (brands, gym operators, opinion leaders, trainers, athletes, press and more). Together we will present tangible data, and we’ll explore key topics which will impact the young industry, such as gym management, route setting, consumer events, training and retail. Highly qualified speakers and presenters will go in depth with the ISPO audience on specific topics, and together all participants will develop new ideas and concepts of acute interest to everyone planning to be involved in sport climbing now and in the future.
Florian Kops – dasMinisterium.com

Florian Kops, born 1977, has been part of the climbing sports development since more than 12 years. As founder and CEO of dasMinisterium.com , a creative advertising agency, Florian has been working for sports and lifestyle brands since 1999, some of which have been climbing gyms and events. Before the digitalization hype, Florian and his team already developed a management software for climbing gyms. Through his work as a host of national and international climbing competitions, Florian was able to gain further insights into the active/competitive climbing community. Florian is one of the 5 creative minds who developed the HardMoves Boulder League.
florian@dasMinisterium.com
Christian Popien – Climb-Inn Klettersport GmbH & Co. KG

Christian Popien, born 1978, started climbing at the young age of 11. Since then, he has been involved in the sport on both a personal and professional level. He is the co-founder and managing director of Climb-Inn Klettersport GmbH & Co. KG, he has operated the DAV Kletterzentrum Wupperwände since 2006, and has been the co-owner of the Bahnhof Blo Bouldercafé Wuppertal since 2016. As one of five creative minds, Christian developed the HardMoves Boulder League from 2007 to 2016 into one of the largest bouldering events in Europe. Today he works closely together with the German Alpine Association developing and publishing concepts and standards, and since 2013 he has increasingly specialised in consulting and renovation of climbing gyms.
c.popien@climb-inn.de
- Sunday: Vertical Life Indoor.Climbing.HUB Party
starting 17:00 - Monday & Tuesday: Lectures
11:00 – 16:0 - Location: Hall A3 - Indoor Climbing Lounge
Sunday, February 3, 2019
Live-Band: https://www.fainschmitz.com
DJ: DJ SMO
Montag, February 4, 2019
How is the market in Germany, the UK, France, Europe and the USA developing in comparison? What are the growth figures? Who are the players on the market and what is the expected development? What are the prospects for this development?
Speakers: Olivier Aubel – University of Lausanne | UNIL – Institut des sciences du sport
Appointment: Monday, February 4, 2019 – 12:00
Focus on the target group: Who are the visitors in climbing gyms? Insight into sociodemographic data & interests. Presentation of exclusive figures and results from an extensive survey of over 6,000 climbers from 71 countries.
Speakers: Matthias Polig – Vertical Life / Christian Popien – Climb-Inn Klettersport
Appointment: Monday, February 4, 2019 – 13:00
The evolution of climbing gyms: What new trends are emerging? Where is the climbing gym landscape heading? What ideas and possibilities are currently emerging? In order to provide a differentiated insight into the versatility of indoor climbing, we present 3 special concepts with unique selling points.
- Brooklyn Boulders – New York USA
- The Climbing Hanger – UK Liverpool
- Bahnhof Blo – Bouldercafé Wuppertal
Speakers: Nicole Chernyakhovsky, Ged MacDomhnaill, Christian Popien
Appointment: Monday, 4, 2019 – 14:00
What digital services are already available on the market? Which solutions will prevail? An insight into the digital ecosystem of the indoor climbing industry.
Speakers: Matthias Polig – Vertical Life
Appointment: Monday, 4, 2019 – 15:00
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Boulder events as opportunity and sustainable platform in comparison: An insight into three outstanding formats (La Sportiva Legends, adidas Rockstars, HardMoves Boulderleague).
Speakers: Liam Lonsdale, Björn Pohl, Mike Hamel Christian Popien
Appointment: Tuesday, Febraury 5, 2019 – 11:00
What does the development look like up to 2020? What other strategic considerations are there? An insight into the Olympic format: How can sport present itself? What are the organisational structures like? What broadcasts will there be and what exciting marketing platforms will result from the topic of climbing and the Olympics? What opportunities and risks does this entail?
Speakers: Marco Scolaris – President IFSC
Appointment: Tuesday, February 5, 2019 – 12:00
What roles do associations and clubs play in the indoor market? What are the developments and interests of the DAV (Deutscher Alpenverein) in Germany and the ABC (Association of British Climbing Walls) in Great Britain?
Speakers:
Elias Hitthaler / Wolfgang Wabel DAV - German Alpine Association
Rich Emerson / ABC - Association of British Climbing Walls
Appointment: Tuesday, February 5, 2019 – 14:00
Smart branding is the key to success. Hannes Huch, the founder of Café Kraft, speaks about the importance of a credible branding in the climbing gym industry.
Speakers: Hannes Huch
Appointment: Tuesday, 5, 2019 – 15:00