TaiSPO 2008 to Open

In Taipei on March 13-16

    Organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), co-organized by the Taiwan Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (TSMA) and the Taipei Sporting Goods Association (TSGA), the 2008 Taipei International Sporting Goods Show (TaiSPO 2008) will be held from March 13 to 16, 2008 on the 1st and 2nd floors of Exhibition Hall 1, Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC). The show, combining high technology and a spirit of innovation, is the most diverse international sporting goods show in Asia and an event not to be missed for international buyers. The organizer will allocate seven specialist areas, namely Fitness Equipment, Skating/Skiing Products, Ball Sports Products[sean1] , Outdoor/ Water Sports/Sportswear, Miscellaneous Products, Trade Media, and Foreign Exhibitors.

     The sporting goods industry in Taiwan began to flourish in 1979 and has enjoyed a strong footing in the international market for the past 29 years.  With the solid foundation laid by the industry's suppliers plus the innovative technological R&D and skilled 3C technology of Taiwanese manufacturers, sporting goods have been successfully segregated from traditional products in both quality and design and Taiwan has become a shopping center for sporting goods in Asia. 

People nowadays place more and more emphasis on recreational and leisure activities and as a result, the market for sporting goods is expanding rapidly. According to TSMA, the export value of sporting goods between January and September 2007 exceeded US$1 billion. Good quality and reasonable pricing have added to the competitive advantages of Taiwanese products, and sporting goods in particular, on the global market. 

     This year is the 35th TaiSPO, so it will be sure to attract international attention.  Each year the organizers invite Manfred Wutzlhofer, Chairman and CEO of Mess Munchen GmbH (organizer of the Munich ispo, the worldˇ¦s largest ISPO), and Michel Perraudin, European President of the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry, amongst other important guests, for the opening ceremony.  Through constant interaction with major international sporting goods associations and alliances over the years, the organizers have greatly contributed to the prominence of TaiSPO in the world. During the show the organizers will also invite sporting goods associations and alliances from all over the world for a series of seminars to give our manufacturers an overview of overseas market trends.

    TAITRA indicates that since it opened for registration TaiSPO 2008 has received an enthusiastic response and over 250 manufacturers have signed up for nearly 1600 booths. Those signing up include international giants like Johnson Health Tech., Solex Industries, Tung Keng Enterprise, Strength Master Fitness Tech., Sports Art Industrial, TBS Group Corporation, Taiwan Family Enterprise, Sportsman Corporation, and Sporting King.  It is worth mentioning that Johnson Health Tech. was just awarded 9th place in the "Survey on the Most Valuable Top 10 International Brands in Taiwan ˇ¨ organized by the Bureau of Foreign Trade and held by TAITRA this year. Its brand value is worth US$302 million with a growth rate as high as 21%. No. 1 in Asia and fifth in the world, this world famous fitness equipment company now has seven marketing offices in the U.K., U.S., Germany and China and its innovative brands, Johnson, Matrix, Vision, and Horizon, are sold in more than 70 countries. TaiSPO 2008 will showcase many innovative brands and companies such as Johnson that have successfully entered the international market from Taiwan .

     To recognize R&D and innovation achievements of domestic manufacturers and to assist international buyers in spotting the newest and hottest products in the industry, the well-regarded TaiSPO ALL STARS ˇV Inno-Stage of Excellence & TSMA Award Winners will be held again in 2008. This will be the fourth year it has been held. Besides setting aside a dedicated display area for winners, the most innovative product will be chosen from amongst the award winners. The ˇ§Innovative Product Awardˇ¨ will be conferred during the opening ceremony with attendant VIPs on the first day of the show, March 13th.

    Moreover, to increase opportunities for domestic and international sporting goods manufacturers to touch base with buyers from related industries and encourage business opportunities, TAITRA will hold in tandem with TaiSPO the worldˇ¦s second largest Taipei Cycle Show in the Nangang Exhibition Hall of the TWTC.  It is our belief that with the two shows running simultaneously, they will attract even more international buyers to Taiwan and create more opportunities for exchange and cooperation.  Shuttle buses will be available during the show for transportation between the two exhibition halls.

     Taiwanese sporting goods manufacturers envision turning Taiwan into a world supply center with an outstanding international reputation. TAITRA, through its 48 overseas-based offices, is  committing itself to inviting even more high profile international buyers to the show.

     TaiSPO 2008 will run between March 13 and March 16, 2008. TAITRA sincerely welcome domestic and international buyers and related businesses to come and visit the show. 

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