OutDoor Friedrichshafen ( Germany ) - 2015 - Increased exhibition space demand and strong participation

Friedrichshafen - Outdoor activities continue to enjoy increasing popularity, further to already strong demand. Against this backdrop, OutDoor 2015 has once again confirmed its position as the world’s leading international outdoor trade show. This year’s new schedule, from Wednesday, July 15 to Saturday, July 18 will see more than 900 exhibitors from 40 countries presenting the latest products and innovations, while setting new retail and industry trends. OutDoor 2015 is also delighted to be using all Messe Friedrichshafen’s twelve halls, the open air exhibition grounds and the trade fair lake. In addition, the Rothaus Hall A1, which previously held the Tent City, has been turned back into a classic exhibition hall. This comes in response to exhibitor requests to expand the amount of exhibition space.

"We anticipate an excellent OutDoor 2015. With over 85,000 square metres at our disposal, we’ll be welcoming brands and trade visitors from all sectors of the outdoor industry,” said Klaus Wellmann, CEO Messe Friedrichshafen. Year after year, the trade show attracts more than 20,000 industry visitors. The 22nd OutDoor covers everything from apparel and footwear to hardware, backpacks, sleeping bags and tents and climbing equipment. Service providers from all areas of the outdoor business will also be attending. "The outdoor category continues to perform well in Europe, but the market place is more competitive than ever. Meanwhile, our sector is constantly developing - more family oriented, fitness or urban driven activities and products are just three examples of the increasing integration of outdoor sports and lifestyle in society.  Once again, our annual gathering in Friedrichshafen will provide an excellent opportunity for brands and retailers to get fresh ideas, prepare business for the upcoming seasons and demonstrate this sector’s huge ongoing potential”, said OutDoor partner and general secretary of the European Outdoor Group (EOG) Mark Held.

The leading international outdoor trade show also features a new hall plan this year. OutDoor project manager Dirk Heidrich explained, "For 2015, we’ve listened to exhibitors and redesigned major sections of the show to meet requirements. As a result, there will be more exhibiting space, an improved mix of brands and topics and greater use of the open air exhibition grounds.” This means that the Rothaus Hall A1, Friedrichshafen’s largest trade hall, will now be a conventional hall for exhibitor stands, instead of a tent display ground. Leading brands The North Face, Columbia, Mountain Hardware, Polartec, VauDe and Thule are among those taking advantage of the change. And 2015 also sees the return of global players such as Dynafit, Carl Zeiss and Kolping (Korea) to Lake Constance this summer. Trade visitors looking for the Tent City will find that it has moved to the (East) open air exhibition grounds, as well as halls A7, A6 and A2.

OutDoor Conferences - think tanks and open exchanges

The European Outdoor Group will again be organising a series of talks at the East Conference Centre. It has become the platform for exchanging information, professional development and lively discussion. Some thirty talks are planned, covering the topics Digital, Retail, Sustainability, Trends & Change. The focus will be on issues such as eco-friendly production and new materials and technologies.

Tenth anniversary of the OutDoor Industry Award

Outstanding products deserve outstanding awards. The OutDoor Industry Award is celebrating its first ten years. Of course, the spotlight will remain on the selected products. Last year saw 361 innovative entries, 35 OutDoor Industry Awards and 7 Gold Award winners. EOG and Messe Friedrichshafen are sticking to the winning formula and are once again organising the competition and judges’ panel session with support from the Deutscher Designer Club (DDC). New products are entered in the categories apparel, footwear, backpacks, bags and travel luggage, climbing equipment, camping equipment, sleeping bags and sleeping mats, water sports, accessories plus material and sustainable innovations. The OutDoor Award winners are announced on July 15 at 17.30 in Hall A2 and all winning products will be on display in the Foyer East throughout the show.

Hall of Vision (Hall A2) - fashion trends of the future

The Hall of Vision provides an exciting look into the future. It’s been created to show where we are heading and what the future holds when it comes to colours, designs, materials and cuts. Potential trends for 2016 will also be presented in trend windows. The latest must-have items are selected by exhibitors, international trendspotters, fashion experts and fashion journalists. Every day at 11.00, 14.00 and 16.00 the OutDoor Trend Show will be presenting their findings. Additionally, a free booklet will be available to provide a summary of the trends. On the catwalk, the latest lighting and projection techniques are going to complement the models. Hall A2 will also be further enhanced by various lounges and a nature bar. This same setting is used to hold the "Movie Nights”, the Bouldering Championships and sections of the Tent City.

Outdoor activities - watch and be inspired

In Hall A2, the bouldering wall will serve as a competition wall for the German Boulder Cup. For the second time, the German climbing scene will be at Friedrichshafen to see who is the best of the best. On July 17 - 18, Germany’s top bouldering athletes will be putting their strength, agility, technique and endurance to the test. Meanwhile, outside on the open air exhibition grounds, there will be slackline demonstrations. And Paddle Days in the Foyer West will see that there is plenty of water-sports action, where leading brands will be exhibiting everything from the world of kayaking and canoeing - including stand up paddling. There will be boats available for testing on the trade fair lake, direct from the manufacturers. And should relaxation be required, exhibitors Gore are running a chill-out Feel Good Lounge throughout the show.

Celebrate sustainability - the OutDoor Party

The OutDoor Party - in keeping with the theme of the Outdoor itself - takes place on Friday, July 17 in three outside arenas: open air exhibition grounds West (Cover Rock), Atrium (Funk & House) and Press Garden (Rock). The 2015 party shirt, which includes free food and four drinks vouchers, is available for 15 euros. For 2015, the party is again sponsored by Polartec. In doing so, the brand is supporting the industry, sustainability and the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA). At half past midnight, shuttle busses will be on hand to bring party guests back free of charge to hotels in the neighbouring towns.

Opening times

OutDoor 2015 is open to industry visitors only from Wednesday, July 15 to Saturday, July 18 July (Wednesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). All important information about the OutDoor trade fair with a directory of exhibitors, events and directions are available to download free of charge at: www.outdoor-show.com.


Source OutDoor Friedrichshafen ©