February 2, 2006 – A event record was obvious even before ispo winter 06 took place on 160,000 sq. m. at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre from January 29 to February 1, 2006. A total of 1,806 (1,600*) exhibitors from 49 (44) countries, 81% (82%) from foreign countries, presented their product innovations and current fashion collections at the internationally leading trade fair in Munich. This is the greatest number of exhibitors ever since ispo was inaugurated.

Extremely strong visitor participation was already seen on the first trade fair day with a 10% increase, which continued over the next days. A total of more than 60,000 (54,433) trade visitors were counted on the four trade fair days, approximately 60% (59%) of them from foreign countries. Increases in the numbers of visitors from Eastern European countries as well as Austria, Italy, France, Switzerland and Spain were particularly significant.

Manfred Wutzlhofer, Chief Executive Officer of Messe München GmbH, stated:
“We can look back on a very successful event, which attracted record numbers of exhibitors and visitors. But the extremely pleasant course of the trade fair reflected above all the correspondingly positive situation in the industry. Retailers and the industry agree at the beginning of the sports year 2006 that a reversal of trends has succeeded.”

Facts And Figures

-10% increase in visitors at ispo winter 06
-Significant increase of visitor figures from all countries
-Industry in a euphoric mood: Reversal of trend successful at beginning of the sports year 2006
-Innovation in focus: 44 awards presented
-Next generation: 24 new brands exhibit within the framework of promotion projects
-ispovision presents those nominated for the Global Sports Style Awards 2006 in a large Sportstyle Show for the first time
-VOLVO SportsDesign FORUM continued with a great deal of success
-Successful anniversary: 10th ispo Sports Sponsoring Congress in ICM with record participation