SPORTS Trader 2024

for 500 spectators and brought top speakers such as hu- man rights activist and football player Colin Kaepernick to Germany for the first time ever. Centrepiece: The Future Lab Following its successful premiere last year, the Fu- ture Lab in Hall B1 was again an audience magnet. The reason for this was not only the main stage with its pro- gramme of inspiring talks, but above all the six themed areas, where everything revolved around innovation and change in the sports industry. These included the ISPO Brandnew Area, where start-ups and up-and-coming brands with the potential to help shape or even revolutio- nise the future of the sports industry were presented. An- other highlight of the Future Lab was the ISPO Award Area, which exhibited all products and services that were honoured by ISPO in 2023 for their innovative strength, user-friendliness, quality and sustainability. This year’s premieres also found many fans: ISPO 520M by Highsnobiety and the new Zeitgeist by ISPO platform brought together creative minds from the urban, streetwear and sports fashion sectors, creating new po- tential and synergies to address new target groups for the sports fashion and outdoor industry and to create new, curated brand experiences. Both young and estab- lished brands came together here, for example, The North Face, Salomon, Faction, Beinghunted, Mons Royale, Snow Peak, Wander and ELHO. International de- sign greats such as the Parisian creative artist, DJ and performing artist Stéphane Ashpool were also on hand to guarantee unique flair at the ISPO Munich Disco. Sustainability and circular economy Sustainability and environmental awareness have become integral parts of the sports industry. The future of the sports industry was brought to life in the Sustainabili- ty Hub in Hall A1. This year, the Material Lab was dedi- cated to the topic of circularity. An exhibition by Green- room Voice in cooperation with Studio Nima presented innovative, recyclable and bio-based materials that are currently being developed at high speed and are already being used in recyclable product lines. Visitors at the hub, which was sponsored by VAUDE, were able to touch, smell and even taste these trailblazing materials. Presentations on the topics of “Circular Economy in Sports”, “Climate Solutions for Sustainable Business” and “The Future of Lobbying through Sports” with internation- al experts such as Laura Santucci from the former TRADE SHOW REVIEW www.IMB2B.com 186