In January 2015, a series of GORE-TEX® brand events themed "Experience the Difference – Ultimate Experience, Extraordinary Feel" were showcased at ISPO BEIJING 2015, the 11th Asia Outdoor Trade Show & Fashion Exhibition. Zhuang Songming, General Manager of the Apparel Division of Gore Fabrics China at W. L. Gore & Associates, was joined by Greg Grenzke, Product Design Manager of the Climbing Apparel Line at Arc'teryx from Canada, Qi Weiqiang, Section Chief of Marketing Planning at Subaru (China) Co., Ltd., Zhang Heng, General Manager of Beijing Sanfo Outdoor Co., Ltd., and Sun Bin, Principal of Peak Outdoor Sports School, among other distinguished guests. Together, they celebrated the event, shared inspirational stories, displayed product technology, launched an experience campaign called the "2015 Call for 100 Outdoor Influencers," and officially announced the growth achievements and future plans of the GORE-TEX® brand-initiated Outdoor Pioneers Camp over the past two years.
Zhuang Songming, General Manager of the Apparel Division of Gore Fabrics China at W. L. Gore & Associates, shared the GORE-TEX® brand’s philosophy of technological innovation
GORE-TEX® brand equipment – a full category offensive
At the GORE-TEX® brand activity area during ISPO, a dreamy purple ceiling showcased the unique technological structure of the GORE-TEX® membrane, while a stylish magnetic levitation shoe display attracted a large number of visitors. The area exhibited dozens of pieces of equipment from numerous GORE-TEX® brand partners, including adidas, Arc'teryx, BLACK YAK®, KOLON SPORT, LA SPORTIVA, LOWA, MAMMUT, NORTHLAND, OZARK, Salomon, and The North Face®. This also marked a full-category display of GORE-TEX® fabrics, with product lines covering GORE-TEX® Pro, GORE-TEX® Active, GORE-TEX® Product, as well as shoes featuring the newly globally launched GORE-TEX® SURROUND™ technology for outdoor footwear.
The area displayed dozens of pieces of equipment from numerous GORE-TEX® brand partners, including adidas and Arc'teryx
Among the exhibits, a navy blue Arc'teryx waterproof shell jacket garnered significant attention. This latest model, launched in China for the first time in 2015, features the lighter and more breathable 3L GORE-TEX® Products with Gore® C-Knit™ Backer Technology. Its outstanding fit and durability make it especially suitable for hiking and trekking, and it is 10% lighter than comparable fabric with tricot backer technology.
Old friends reunite at the "Dream Partners" event
On January 29, the "Dream Partners – GORE-TEX® Brand and Friends" sharing event was held as scheduled at ISPO. Qi Weiqiang, Section Chief of Marketing Planning at Subaru (China) Co., Ltd., Zhang Heng, General Manager of Beijing Sanfo Outdoor Co., Ltd., Sun Bin, Principal of Peak Outdoor Sports School, and 20 other "Dream Partners" of the GORE-TEX® brand looked back on their years of collaboration and their passion and dreams for the outdoor world.
As a cross-industry partner, Qi Weiqiang, Section Chief of Marketing Planning at Subaru (China) Co., Ltd., shared the journey of collaboration with the GORE-TEX® brand
David and Esteri, a couple currently challenging an unclimbed big wall in Patagonia, Chile, and winners of the Professional Mountaineering Category in the 7th Outdoor Dreams Realization Campaign, were unable to attend in person. Instead, they communicated with the audience via letters: "We are deeply grateful for the support we received in 2013 from the 'Endless Experience – Gore-Tex® Outdoor Dreams Realization' campaign. The professional gear enabled our team and us to successfully achieve our dream of summiting the previously unclimbed Dayingtianwo peak. It’s a pity we can’t be there in person this time, but upholding the endless outdoor spirit of the GORE-TEX® brand, we will keep dreaming and climbing tirelessly."
Discussing future collaboration, Qi Weiqiang, Section Chief of Marketing Planning at Subaru (China) Co., Ltd., said: "Partners must move forward hand in hand. I have great respect and high expectations for our joint growth with the GORE-TEX® brand over the past few years. Our mutual support in the future will surely enable both sides to achieve better results in our respective markets."
Experience the change brought by technological innovation firsthand
The GORE-TEX® brand has always been committed to "global technological innovation." At its "Ultimate Craftsmanship, Achieving Excellence – GORE-TEX® Brand Technological Innovation Sharing Session," Zhuang Songming, General Manager of the Apparel Division of Gore Fabrics China at W. L. Gore & Associates, and Greg Grenzke, Product Design Manager of the Climbing Apparel Line at Arc'teryx from Canada, recounted an enduring bond between cutting-edge outdoor apparel technology and equipment through the ALPHA SV JACKET, which debuted in 1998. "The ALPHA SV JACKET is the most renowned GORE-TEX® product in the Arc'teryx climbing line and also an award-winning star product." Greg Grenzke also shared the product philosophy behind the collaboration of the two brands and introduced the 2015 new products for the Chinese market. "Vancouver, the hometown of Arc'teryx, experiences a lot of rain. The advent of GORE-TEX® fabric is like a 'second skin' for the locals, bringing them dryness and comfort," said Greg Grenzke.
Greg Grenzke, Product Design Manager of the Climbing Apparel Line at Arc'teryx, shared innovations in product collaboration with the GORE-TEX® brand
On the afternoon of January 29, the GORE-TEX® brand, together with the world’s first 360° waterproof and breathable outdoor footwear technology – GORE-TEX® SURROUND™ technology, appeared at the launch ceremony of the "GORE-TEX® SURROUND™ Technology Release and 100 Outdoor Influencers Call" initiative. This outdoor footwear technology features "sole breathability technology" with a unique structure that not only provides durable waterproofing but also accelerates the release of foot sweat vapor, breaking through the issue of "typical hiking shoes having no breathability at the sole at all." Since its debut, the technology has consecutively won the Material Innovation Award at the 2014 European Outdoor Industry Award and the Asia Outdoor Industry Award. During the subsequently announced "2015 Call for 100 Outdoor Influencers" experience campaign, participants could apply to test the product and become among the first in the world to try the commercial version, personally experiencing the "ultimate dryness" brought by the "breakthrough" GORE-TEX® SURROUND™ technology.
Ms. Hou Yunhui, Greater China Footwear Market Director at W. L. Gore & Associates, Mr. Lin Zhenhao, Sales and Marketing Director for Greater China at La Sportiva, Mr. Lin Zhengsheng, Market and Sales Director for Mammut in China, Mr. Herve Cayla, General Manager of the OZARK brand, and Mr. Lin Xiongjian, General Manager of Himalaya Trading Co., Ltd., five representatives jointly launched the "Call for 100 Outdoor Influencers" campaign
Additionally, during the ISPO event, the Outdoor Pioneers Camp, jointly established by W. L. Gore & Associates, China Outdoor Network, and Peak Outdoor Sports School, officially announced its growth achievements over the past two years and future development plans.