OutDoor Vs. Outdoor: What’s up with the two fairs?

OutDoor becomes OutDoor by ISPO, from 30.06. – 03.07.2019 for the first time.
In June 2018, the European OutDoor Group, EOG for short, announced that the OutDoor trade fair will be hosted by ISPO at Messe Munich for the next three years. With a new concept, the ISPO takes over the execution of the fair – and leads it into the future.

After the Messe Friedrichshafen lost the most important European outdoor fair to Munich, it calls a new event into action. The name? Outdoor.

Self-explanatory, two fairs coming around this year are creating a lot of confusion.  Let’s take a closer look at OutDoor by ISPO and Outdoor.

OutDoor by ISPO

With a captivating concept, Messe München was awarded the contract by the EOG. Instead of simply adopting the Outdoor brand, ISPO expanded the event with innovative features – by looking at future-oriented technologies and other industries.

“The new concept takes up current requirements and offers added value for all market participants: whether start-up, medium-sized companies or global brands,” says Markus Hefter, project manager of OutDoor by ISPO.

The most important developments at a glance:

An additonal 361 days

As part of ISPO, OutDoor is experiencing the same benefits that have already become established in the sports industry. Rather than being “just” an on-site event, OutDoor by ISPO creates a allround network with additional online and offline services, as well as connecting dealers and manufacturers 365 days a year.

For small and medium businesses

Even though the trade fair in Friedrichshafen used to address the major players in the industry, ISPO now knows how to get start-ups and smaller companies on board. While “OutDoor Easy” enables a cost-effective trade show appearance, the Basecamp of Inspiration provides a platform for startups and industry news in particular, with its own summit on thoughts and visions.

The other fair: The new outdoor in Friedrichshafen

Even though the brand itself has moved, Messe Friedrichshafen is still trying to position itself as a key platform in the outdoor industry in 2019. How? By organizing its own trade fair.

Reduced to 2 1/2 instead of 4 days, the “Outdoor” takes place in Friedrichshafen from 17. – 19.09.2019.

For the industry itself, the challenge of Friedrichshafen is a rather confusing topic: Especially small and medium-sized companies usually opt for the stand placement on just one trade fair. Trade visitors are now faced with the decision to make: Munich or Friedrichshafen.

What’s the advantages for Friedrichshafen?

According to Reisinger, the head of Outdoor, the new concept is mainly about using the existing strengthsof its location and eradicating the weaknesses of the original brand. Among other things, this shall be done by addressing small and medium-sized businesses through training and a start-up stage. A cost-effective stand package. Better networking options, such as round tables and organized conversations. A closer look at trends.

Developments that are also fundamental in the new concept of the OutDoor by ISPO. fully supported by the EOG. Thus, the original weaknesses of the brand are actually no longer an issue.

The future will show if an additional Outdoor in Friedrichshafen actually makes sense for the sector itself. In the first place, both platforms definitely promise an enhanced and exciting outdoor trade fair.