The OutDoor show once again becomes the leading international meeting point for the outdoor industry. According to the European Outdoor Group (EOG), prominent trade association and the show’s partner, the sector enjoyed a satisfactory 2015. Some 85 per cent of EOG members reported an increase in sales. And more than half of this number posted growth up by over 2.5 per cent. This constitutes a healthy foundation for the 23rd OutDoor – the leading outdoor trade fair with more than 900 exhibitors from over 40 countries, presenting the latest innovations and setting new industry trends.

“As the market situation stabilises and competition increases, OutDoor 2016 is the perfect international platform for presenting new collections and exchanging ideas. We’re looking forward to a high-quality event with everything that a demanding public expects. We’ve everyone from new start-ups to the leading industry players,” said Klaus Wellmann, CEO Messe Friedrichshafen. EOG General Secretary, Mark Held, emphasized the importance of the Lake Constance trade show. “While outdoor in general continues to be a megatrend, we are at a turning point in how business is done. The market place is more competitive than ever, sustainability is becoming a must and the circular economy is just around the corner. Meanwhile, our sector is constantly developing; digital technology is impacting outdoor, new consumer experiences are being thought up constantly and more and more people realize the benefits that being active outdoors can bring. As always, our annual gathering in Friedrichshafen will provide an excellent opportunity for brands and retailers to be right up to date and to arm themselves with the best possible knowledge for the upcoming seasons.”

The latest edition of the show comes with a new hall plan. The tents of the OutDoor Tent City move to Hall B5 and Hall A7 to join tent exhibitors in the Open-Air Grounds East and Open-Air Grounds West. This is made possible by the footwear manufacturers changing from Hall A6 to Hall A2. And exhibitors traditionally located in B5 have now moved to A6. “The new allocation makes it easier for visitors to cover the classic halls in a more compact circuit,” explained Stefan Reisinger, Head of OutDoor, Messe Friedrichshafen. OutDoor 2016 is occupying the entire exhibition grounds with all twelve halls and an exhibition area of 85,000 square metres.

OutDoor Industry Award and OutDoor Honor Award
This year sees the 11th edition of the OutDoor Industry Award for the best international product innovations. The design prize has been overhauled and now consists of a two-stage evaluation process with a digital pre-selection round and a new category for outdoor start-ups. Facilitated by the German Designer Club (DDC), all entries are systematically compared in a first stage before being assessed and evaluated by an expert panel of judges in a second stage on the exhibition grounds. All outdoor companies are welcome to enter the OutDoor Industry Award – whether exhibiting in Friedrichshafen or not. The deadline for entries is June 9, 2016. Also new in 2016: the award presentation area in Foyer East has been given a makeover. The new modular set-up has a clean and modern look that focuses on the winning products. In addition, the open, lounge-style design creates a welcoming atmosphere that invites visitors to stop by and chat about the prizewinners. The winners’ award ceremony will take place here at 17:30 on the first day of the show. Well-known outdoor athlete Timmy O’Neill will be providing a humorous take on nature conservation and the work of the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA). During his presentation, he will be announcing the projects chosen for this year’s EOCA funding. Timmy O’Neill is a Patagonia-sponsored athlete, who describes himself as a “climber, comedian, slackliner, lecturer, drummer and coffee drinker.”

Every year for the last ten years, the OutDoor trade show has selected an “OutDoor Celebrity of the Year” for their special and long-lasting contribution to the industry. “As we feel that we cannot expect to simply find such exceptional personalities on demand, we have changed the name to the ‘OutDoor Honor Award’ and decided to award it when appropriate, but not necessarily every year”, explained OutDoor Project Manager Dirk Heidrich. In collaboration with the EOG, the organizers of the OutDoor will bestow the new “OutDoor Honor Award” for the first time on Friday evening, July 15, 2016 in Friedrichshafen.

Professional development – OutDoor Conferences 2016
Want to explore new issues and exchange ideas? Then the Conference Centre East is the place to be. The OutDoor Conferences, organised in conjunction with the EOG, serve as a platform for exchanging ideas, professional development and discussion. Some 40 presentations will cover a wide range of topics including digital, retail, sustainability and trends & change. With a focus this year on issues including eco-friendly production, new fabrics and materials and technology.

OutDoor Blogger Base – the right way to do social media
Viral hype or facebook flop: communication in the digital age has a decisive impact on a company’s success. Whether B2B or B2C, you need to work with social media and bloggers. Messe Friedrichshafen is familiar with the issues and working together with the Outdoor Blogger Network (OBN), a communication interface between bloggers, members of the outdoor industry and service providers from retail, PR and advertising. The new OutDoor Blogger Base in the foyer East will create a platform for international exchange, boosting the dynamics between digital influencers and the representatives of the outdoor industry. The daily OBN talks include targeted presentations, discussion panels and tours to give the outdoor industry a window to the world via #OutDoorFN.

Water sports
The entire outdoor industry makes its way to Lake Constance every summer. Europe’s third-largest lake is home to a large number of water sports and this is naturally reflected at the trade show. Water sports manufacturers will be exhibiting products and innovations from the worlds of kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddling in the Foyer West. And once again, the trade fair lake is open for product testing. This year’s water sports brands include Red Paddle, O’Neill, NRS, Restube and Grabner.

Focus on running
Numerous international running brands will be organising presentations and workshops at the new Running Village (in the middle of the Open-Air Grounds West) to demonstrate the latest trends and innovations. Once again Dynafit is inviting retailers, journalists and athletes to join them for a Wake Up Run on the second morning of the show (July 14, 2016 at 08:00). The two courses (8 km and 17 km) take in some of Lake Constance’s finest trails, before heading back to the exhibition grounds for the final sprint.

„Overall“ climbing contest in the foyer West
Lead – Speed – Boulder climbing: On Friday, July 15, climbing professionals who have been invited by the German Alpine Association will present the three disciplines of sport climbing in a suspenseful show-competition at OutDoor.

Fabrics of the future – Trend Lounge 2016
A select team of cool hunters, designers, bloggers and fashionistas are offering an insight into the latest trends of the international outdoor market. See where we are heading when it comes to fabrics, colour palettes, textures, styles and trends in the respective outdoor categories. 2016 sees the OutDoor Trend Lounge with a new location and a higher profile. Set in the Foyer East, the Trend Lounge – with its Trend Windows showing the styles for 2017 – is the ideal venue to chat with business partners. And the Trend Show will be presenting trend-setting fabrics and products in a live performance three times a day. An accompanying Trend Booklet will also be available.

OutDoor trainee days – the future of retail
On July 15 – 16, the focus is firmly on outdoor trainees. For the first time, German-language outdoor retailers will be offering trainees an exclusive insight into the industry. In addition to a special tour of the show, there will be advice on social media and working with bloggers and sales training. Participants get two-day entry to the show, a party t-shirt, free camping at the OutDoor campsite, food and drink and a surprise gift.

Celebrate sustainability – OutDoor Party
The OutDoor Party – in keeping with the outdoor theme – takes place on Friday, July 15 in three arenas: Open-Air Grounds West (Cover Rock), Atrium (Funk & House) and Press Garden (Rock). The 2016 party shirt, which includes free food and four drinks vouchers, is available for 15 euros. For 2016, the party is again sponsored by Polartec. By doing so, the brand is supporting the industry, sustainability and the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA). At half past midnight (00:30), a free bus-shuttle will be on hand to take party guests back to their hotels in neighbouring towns.

Opening times
OutDoor 2016 is open to industry visitors only from Wednesday, July 13 to Saturday, July 16 (Wednesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

For more information, please visit: www.outdoor-show.com.