From September 6 to 8, 2024, the Nanjing Sports Carnival 2024 successfully returned to the Nanjing International Exhibition Center. The event attracted 235 exhibitors and nearly 9,000 industry professionals and sports enthusiasts, generating approximately 35 million online visits.
The exhibition marked yet another innovative initiative by ISPO to promote the outdoor lifestyle and foster healthy industry development.
Its success would not have been possible without the strong support of the Nanjing Sports Bureau, Nanjing Sports Industry Group, China Automobile Dealers Association, Nanjing Xuanwu Lake Comprehensive Management Office, Nanjing Tourism Group, Nanjing International Exhibition Center, and other key partners of ISPO.
Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games and the beginning of the new academic year in Nanjing’s universities, the event introduced a series of activities combining sports, exhibition, competition and education, covering various themes such as outdoor camping, car journey, cycling, winter sports, sports training and rehabilitation, urban sports, skincare, textile and technology, outdoor sustainability, sport games, and sports dance. These activities fostered a vibrant sports atmosphere in the city, drawing professionals from diverse fields, promoting Olympic values, supporting the integration of sports and education, and expanding the reach of sports to the general public.
Once again, the Nanjing International Exhibition Center became a focal point of the sports community, garnering extensive media coverage. Outlets such as Xinhuanet, ifeng.com, NetEase News, Jiangsu.net, Jiangsu TV News, Yangtze Evening News, Jiangsu Now, Nanjing News, Nanjing Sports News, Nanjing Sports Radio, Xuanwu News Release, Nanjing Xuanwu Lake Scenic Spot, Nanjing Tourism Group, Nanjing Convention and Exhibition News Release, Sports 365, Xiandai Kuaibao, Zijinshan News, Youth Olympics Space and many others highlighted the event’s success.
Embracing Innovation: A Trendsetter in the Industry
The sports outdoor industry is undergoing significant changes in consumer demand. As a leading platform in the industry, ISPO continues to build a robust exchange platform, offering essential policy insights, trend forecasts, and facilitating innovation and information exchange throughout the industry.
This year’s exhibition achieved notable success in expanding categories such as Car Journey, cycling, and skincare.
- The Car Journey section doubled in size and brand presence.
- The Cycling Lifestyle area saw a twofold increase in participating brands and number of competition events.
- For the first time, a Sports Skincare and Health Food section was introduced.
These expansions have further integrated resources into the exhibition, promoting sustainable industry growth and broadening the influence of sports in the mass consumer market.
Creating New Trends through Sports-Education Integration, Outdoor Lifestyle and Cultural Tourism
ISPO has actively pioneered new exhibition formats in Nanjing Sports Carnival by integrating outdoor lifestyles with car travel and cultural tourism. Through urban activities like the Jubaoshan Park and Nanjing City Cycling Race, Nanjing Orienteering Race, and the Xuanwu Lake Summer Training, the exhibition linked sports with the city's pulse.
In collaboration with Nanjing Sports Industry Group and the Xuanwu Lake Cultural Tourism Consumption Development Alliance, ISPO held the Youth Olympic Games 10th Anniversary Event Series, including the "Mistilake Journey" and the 2024 (6th) Nanjing City Orienteering Race, the Xuanwu Lake Summer Training and the City-wide Check-in Activity, creating a synergy between sports experiences and exhibitions. ISPO’s youth-focused sports experiences provided a valuable platform for families and young people to explore new sports and nurture a passion for physical activity.
The "Sports and Cultural Carnival" also took place at the carnival, while new additions like the intangible cultural heritage Parent-Child Woodworking Challenge and the Football Obstacle Course for Drones expanded the cultural and sporting landscape.
The Energy Life Festival offered a dynamic blend of coffee, food, and art, while ISPO showcased relevant products such as outdoor footwear, sports skincare, health food, camping gear, and outdoor sustainability. This created a comprehensive lifestyle experience, connecting outdoor life with broader consumer trends.
A Forward-Thinking Approach Driving Industry Development
ISPO stays committed to its role as an industry barometer and cultural ambassador, continuously exploring trends and hot topics in sports lifestyles while creating diverse business opportunities.
A series of professional forums were held along with the exhibition, focusing on themes such as car travel, winter sports, innovative supply chain, camping life, camp education, and women’s outdoor activities. These forums delved into a diverse array of topics such as innovative strategies for automotive marketing, ski resort management, outdoor clothing supply chains, regional resource sustainability, and the growing potential of the "her" economy in outdoor activities. These discussions emphasized the integration of sports, cultural, and tourism resources, sustainable commercial operations, and new avenues for urban outdoor tourism.
To strengthen supply chain connections, ISPO organized an Outdoor Sportswear Innovation Salon, linking fashion design, outdoor brands, innovative fabrics, and supply chains. Combined with the ISPO Textrends Award, this initiative addressed the industry's diverse needs, from design inspiration and case studies to fabric selection, cross-industry exchange and collaborations, and supply chain optimization.
Looking ahead, ISPO will continue to nurture the sports lifestyle industry, advancing industry growth and working alongside its stakeholders to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Exhibitors, Partners, and Visitors
The success of the Nanjing Sports Carnival 2024 is a testament to the strong support and collaboration from all sectors across Nanjing. We extend our gratitude to all industry colleagues for their care, support, and encouragement. ISPO looks forward to our continued collaboration to further the development of the sports lifestyle industry.
