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| Full Closing Report: 36th IWA In Eventful Times The 36th IWA & OutdoorClassics ended with more exhibitors than ever before – 1, 132* from 53 nations (previous year: 1,046*) and a rise in the number of visitors to 32, 124* (previous year: 31,715*). The largely confident mood at IWA despite the economic crisis was overshadowed by events in Winnenden. The honorary sponsors of the IWA & OutdoorClassics exhibition, the Hans Boss, Marketing Victorinox AG, Ibach-Schwyz, Switzerland: “People make markets. This motto held good once again for IWA. The exhibition went well for us as expected. Victorinox celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, so we were able to present some special exhibition offers.” Helmut Kind, General Manager AKAH Albrecht Kind GmbH, Gummersbach, Germany: “We experienced an increased domestic demand. The generally positive basic mood of the German retailers is especially remarkable and a sales downturn is not apparent yet. The only difference is that long-term orders have changed slightly in favour of short-term orders. It is also worth noting that the quality issue is becoming more and more important and the manufacturers are reacting to it. Another top issue is security, which will certainly also be a big market in the coming months. Here we expect good business after the exhibition.” Matthias Vogel, Marketing Director RUAG Ammotec GmbH, Fürth, Germany: “It was a good IWA for us. Our visitors were very international. As far as quality and quantity are concerned, the contacts are at about the same high level as 2008. Ordering activity was a little more restrained this year, but we are still satisfied. Orders are now made more consciously. One major target was to convince the retail traders of the prospects our products offer them. Here we succeeded.” IWA-VISTA gives sport optics a boost The exhibitors of sport optics were agreed that the new IWA-VISTA area in the day-lit hall 4A was a complete success. The highlight: the birds of prey offered a fascinating sight for testing the new sport optics. IWA & OutdoorClassics concentrated the sport optics stands in their own area for the first time. Although they have been among the most loyal exhibitors since the beginnings of IWA, the sport optics exhibitors have previously been part of the gun and ammunition segment. The premiere offered something very special for watching and focusing on: a flying show with eagles, buzzards and hawks. A lift platform was available inside the hall to raise visitors to a height where they could also test the new products at long range. The concept worked out excellently for Zeiss: “We think the IWA-VISTA concept is a good improvement to the exhibition,” said Klaus Stiegeler, Marketing Director Carl Zeiss Sports Optics GmbH. “Here we meet our customers to present our new products and take orders – as confirmed once again this year. Our innovative new products attracted a lot of interest. We made some very good contacts on the stand – as usual from abroad as well. Our main stand was in hall 1 again and we presented selected new products on a second stand in hall 4A, which was well accepted by the visitors. We also had many very detailed talks there.” “We were very satisfied with this hall,” sums up Markus Krill, Manager Nikon Sport Optics. “Natural light is important for our products. We will certainly continue to support IWA-VISTA.” Petra Eckhardt-Köstler, Managing Director Bushnell Performance Optics Germany GmbH, confirms this: “IWA-VISTA should definitely be retained and improved to approach even more target groups, for the spectrum of products at IWA covers far more than just guns. Outdoor is also developing into a mega-trend. We have noticed that the strained economic situation is not reflected in this segment. The customers demand high quality and sustainability and are prepared to pay for them.” IWA & OutdoorClassics – a top event in the exhibition calendar The exhibition concentrated innovations and trends in all range segments: Besides guns and ammunition, the exhibitors presented all products for experiencing nature, especially for hunting and shooting sports, archery, hiking and animal watching. The exhibition also provided information about new kinds of sports and the appropriate products, attractive set ideas and hunting gifts. Buyers from public authorities could see a full range of service weapons and security accessories – from bullet-proof vests, shields, functional clothing, holsters and ammunition to products for personal and body protection. The next IWA & OutdoorClassics takes place from 12. - 15.3.2010. Right to admission Entrance tickets for IWA & OutdoorClassics are issued only to visitors from relevant supply trade firms, official agencies and security companies. Proof of the right to admission must be provided first. Employees from official agencies require confirmation from their department. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Exhibition News :: home page |