Taipei- The 29th Taipei International Cycle Show(Taipei Cycle) and the 43rd Taipei International Sporting Goods Show(TaiSPO), both organized by TAITRA (Taiwan External Trade Development Council), opens today at Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC) Nangang Exhibition Hall and Exhibition Hall 1 and 3, with 1,470 exhibitors in total and occupying over 90,000 square meters in exhibiting space. Running through March 5th, these 2 shows display full range of sporting goods from complete bicycles, e-bikes, bike parts and accessories, to fitness equipment, water sports and outdoor products, sportswear, textiles and accessories, creating the most comprehensive trade and sourcing platform for all things sports in Asia.
For the cycling industry, actions for the year started at the end of February with Velo-City Global 2016 in Taipei, for the first time in Asia. Following its closing yesterday, Taipei Cycle opens, gathering suppliers, buyers and bicycle enthusiasts in one place. Immediately afterwards, the attention of the cycling industry will rivet on Tour de Taiwan, the most important cycling race in Taiwan, beginning March 6th through 10th.
The first-ever Advocacy Summit will be held in the afternoon today (March 2nd), in which a Leaders' Panel will gather industry heavyweights including René Takens (CEO of Accell Group), Tony Lo (CEO of Giant Manufacturing), and Robert Wu (Chairman of KMC), for discussions on global and regional trends for product development and consumer demands. For insights into key markets for cycling industry--US, Europe and Asia, this event is a must-attend.
The prospect for sports and leisure industry is bright in Taiwan. With increasing awareness on fitness and LOHAS (Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability), supported also by government policies, the number of sports centers and fitness centers have risen rapidly in Taiwan. In August 2017, Taipei City will host Universiade, the leading international multi-sport event organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). All these will generate business opportunities for sporting goods.
According to marketing consulting firm Marketline, the market size of the fitness club industry in Asia is estimated to reach USD 31 billion in 2017. The third TaiSPO Fitness Industry and Fitness Club Management Forum will be held tomorrow (March 3rd), as a platform for fitness industry professionals in Taiwan and from abroad to grasp the latest trends. Luke Carlson, CEO of Discover Strength, and Ray Algar, Managing Director of Oxygen Consulting, will speak on fitness club management and market analysis, followed by new fitness program demonstration by Johnny G, Creator of Spinning and Kranking.
Innovative design is the force driving industry upgrade. To encourage further development in cycling industry, TAITRA and Taiwan Bicycle Association (TBA) jointly organize the TAIPEI CYCLE d&i awards, implemented by iF DESIGN ASIA Ltd. In its fifth year, 2016 TAIPEI CYCLE d&i awards will honor 47 winners, among which 6 are chosen for Gold Awards, coming from BESV, Chuhn Chuan, Equinox-Bikes, Super B Precision Tools of Taiwan, Coast Cycles of Singapore, and Protanium of the Netherlands. Winners reveal 5 trends:
2. Lightweight yet durable products.
3. Simplified operating procedures, such as chains that can be assembled by non-professionals in 2 steps.
4. Enhancement of rider safety, such as foldable helmet and nighttime high luminance headlight.
5. Improving performance of power system for e-bikes.
All winning entries are on display at the TAIPEI CYCLE d&i awards Pavilion during the Show at the Light Gallery, 1st floor of Nanagang Exhibition Hall.
Winners of 2016 TaiSPO Excellence Award & Merit Award, organized by the Department of Industrial Technology, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and executed by TAITRA and CHC (Cycling & Health Tech Industry R&D Center), also point to new directions for product development. In addition to increasing versatility and durability, fitness equipment is becoming multi-functional and easy-to-store, in order to meet the demand for exercising at home. Furthermore, products incorporate environmentally friendly considerations, such as stationary cycles that become miniature power stations, converting mechanical power generated during exercise into electricity.
The most important goal of any trade show is to create business opportunities. TAITRA overseas offices work year-round in Europe, US, and Japan to invite leading buyers to visit these shows. More than 10,000 are expected to visit these shows this year. TAITRA also notes that with e-bikes driving industry growth, e-bike zone will be expanded in the future. The organizer will work towards building Taipei Cycle and TaiSPO into the leading international platform for launching new products for all sports.
Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA)
Address: 5-7 Fl., 333 Keelung Rd., Section 1, Taipei 11012, TAIWAN
Tel: +886-2-2725-5200
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