Partnership around historic move to Amsterdam gives independent retailers access to international trends, innovations and brands
Retail service organisation EK Retail joins forces with ISPO, the world’s largest sports trade show. After more than fifty years in Munich, the multi-day event is moving to Amsterdam. EK Retail is marking ISPO’s arrival in the Netherlands by entering into a cooperation with the event, giving its retail partners access to international trends, innovations, brands and valuable industry connections.
Since its launch in 1970, the event has been held in Munich. It was initially organised under the name Internationale Fachmesse für Sportartikel und Sportmode, in the run-up to the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. Over more than half a century, it has grown into one of the most important international meeting places for the sports industry, attracting around 25,000 visitors. They come to discover the latest trends, products and innovations across the sports, outdoor and winter sports industries.
‘Much more than a trade show’
ISPO is about to make a historic move. The upcoming edition will take place in the Netherlands for the first time, at RAI Amsterdam. For EK Retail, the new location was a key reason to pursue the cooperation. Amsterdam is much closer and more accessible for many of its retail partners, creating a wide range of new opportunities.
“ISPO is much more than a trade show,” says Pieter-Bas Stehmann, Director of EK Sport. “It is an important networking platform that connects our retailers with other retailers and business partners from across Europe, encourages collaboration, provides inspiration and creates new opportunities. We are excited to see ISPO come to Amsterdam for the first time this year.”
The event will take place from 3 to 5 November. EK Retail members, accompanied by their customers, can participate free of charge in a programme for selected buyers. The programme goes beyond simply visiting the trade fair. On 3 November, participants can join a guided cycling tour of Amsterdam’s flagship stores, followed by a networking dinner that evening. The following day, retailers are invited to an afterparty at Escape to celebrate the day’s successes.
We’re delighted to be working with EK Sport, the sporting goods arm of EK Retail, as we build the ISPO Hosted Buyer Programme for Amsterdam. Their support has been invaluable from the outset, and their enthusiasm for bringing the show to its new home has matched our own. EK Sport’s strong network of retailers makes them an ideal partner in connecting key buying decision-makers with leading brands, as well the new and emerging names to discover on the show floor a ISPO. We’re excited to see this partnership deliver real value at ISPO Amsterdam, says Sarah Arnold Hosted Buyer Programme Director – ISPO.
The International Running Expo (IRX) will take place at RAI Amsterdam at the same time as ISPO. This gives Runnersworld retailers the opportunity to visit the event as well, free of charge with their ISPO ticket.