OutDoor Show Preview, Friedrichshafen, Germany, June 17-20
The OutDoor Show in Friedrichshafen is Europe’s leading get together for the Outdoor Industry. This year’s edition, the 25th, is no exception with more than 900 exhibitors filling all twelve halls with a total exhibition area of 85,000 m².
The OutDoor Show is a must for all retailers looking to grow their business in this market, from core outdoor shops through to boardsports shops who should be getting involved in the outdoor and camping markets as their existing consumer base is increasingly using these kinds of products being the adventurous outdoor types they are. More than 20,000 industry visitors are expected as retailers from both Europe and further abroad come to evaluate the latest brand offerings. The international flavour of the visitors is matched by the exhibitors with over 40 countries represented and 80% of exhibitors hailing from abroad. This year with its new Retail First Initiative, the show is focussing strongly on retailers and wholesalers who will benefit from a new range of services, including free entry to the show and priority booking for the nearby Eriba City accommodation.
After their successful launch last year the four OutDoor Plus areas have been further developed. New in the Water Sports Area, in addition to the canoe and kayak areas, SUP, swimwear and accessories, there will be an action area in the atrium with a specially installed pool. The pool will be used for product testing and demonstrations. Once again, the supporting programme includes a fashion show, numerous workshops, activities and presentations. The HangOut in the Open Air Exhibition Grounds West will be celebrating the happy-go-lucky side of outdoor life with a creative exhibition space for brands offering cooking equipment, outdoor games, and camping furniture will be found there. The Lifestyle Collection in Hall A6 is a dedicated area for urban fashion presenting products designed for both outdoor and urban use. It offers the ideal platform to harness synergies and network in a relaxed atmosphere. OutDoor Industry Awards sees its 13th edition and the winning products are announced at the grand award ceremony on the first night of the show and placed on prominent display in the Messe Friedrichshafen Foyer East.
At the show a number of seminars will present the industry’s future trends and issues. Topics covered include: “Fashion & Colours in Outdoor Clothing”, the digitalisation of fashion, purchase decision-making processes and sustainability in textile production. The EOG will be providing an overview of the European outdoor market and presenting the latest figures in its “State of Trade” market research report. The conference and presentation programme is free of charge and offers retailers and manufacturers alike important industry insights and insider knowledge. For OutDoor 2018, more than 270 hotels and the OutDoor Camping Park and surrounding Lake Constance campsites offer a wide range of accommodation to cover every requirement. For visitors who prefer camping, there are also plenty of options near the showground. The Eriba Caravan City just a few minutes from the East Entrance is 40% bigger.
This year’s OutDoor Party is on the Tuesday and Messe-Express shuttle buses will be on hand throughout the evening to take party guests free of charge to the harbour station/ ferry dock and Friedrichshafen railway station. Additional activities available include a microadventure event in the Lake Constance area and the Midsummer Festival on the lake shore from June 16 – 17. So head to Friedrichshafen to discover all that is new in the Outdoor business.
