Promoting the goal of getting 300 million people involved in winter sports, the first Winter Expo successfully opens in Beijing
Popularizing mass winter sports and promoting the growth of the ice and snow industry
October 19, 2016, Beijing — The first International Winter Sports (Beijing) Expo (WWSE) (hereinafter referred to as the "Winter Expo") opened on October 19 at the China National Convention Center in Beijing. The event is jointly organized by the Beijing Olympic City Development Promotion Association and International Data Group (IDG), and hosted by the Beijing Olympic City Development Promotion Center and Aiqi Exhibition Co., Ltd., with strong support from seven international winter sports federations. The Winter Expo aims to advance the goal of "engaging 300 million people in winter sports," lead the comprehensive progress of China’s winter sports industry, and drive the alignment and development of the ice and snow industry chain across China, Asia, and globally.
Themed "Opening the Future," the first Winter Expo features an exhibition area spanning over 22,000 square meters, covering four core sections: winter sports, events and culture, outdoor and leisure, and interactive experiences. Concurrently, the "2016 International Winter Sports (Beijing) Expo Opening Ceremony and Main Forum" was held on October 19, bringing together industry leaders from China and abroad to discuss the current state of China’s ice and snow industry. During the Expo, a series of enriching supporting activities were also launched to help audiences fully experience the unique charm of winter sports. It is expected that within 5–8 years, the Winter Expo will become one of the world’s largest and most authoritative international winter sports events, with influence extending across Asia and globally, fully promoting the integration of China’s ice and snow industry with the international community and helping China develop into a winter sports powerhouse.
Industry leaders gather at the forum to explore the path forward for winter sports development
- Ski Resort Operations and Management Forum — Gathering outstanding ski resort operators from China and abroad to discuss advanced management concepts. Attendees include Frederic Füessenich, CEO of Engadin St. Moritz / Titlis, Hiroaki Kono, Vice President of the Nagano Prefecture Ski Federation, and representatives from ski resorts and related industry leaders in the U.S., Japan, Austria, and China.
- Winter Sports Tourism Industry Forum — Creating a platform for communication among tourism boards, travel agencies, and ski resort operators worldwide to share experiences in winter sports tourism management. Participants include Juerg Schmid, Director General of Switzerland Tourism, Dieter Scharf, Head of Tourism at Austrian National Tourist Office, and executives from leading companies in the global tourism and real estate sectors.
- Winter Sports Talent Development Forum — Addressing talent demands amid the growing enthusiasm for winter sports and discussing solutions for China’s winter sports talent needs. Attendees include representatives from the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee, leaders from relevant Beijing sports departments, Zhu Zhiqiang, Deputy Party Secretary and President of Harbin Institute of Physical Education, who is also Vice Chairman of both the Chinese Ski Association and the Chinese Ice Hockey Association, Zhong Bingshu, President of Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, and Olympic short track speed skating champion Wang Meng, along with other industry leaders.
- Internet + Sports Marketing Forum — Focusing on winter sports development in the internet+ era, sharing knowledge and exchanging ideas to provide innovative insights for the industry. Leaders from the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee, Li Jiang, Executive Director of Yutang Sports, Liao Zhiyu from Kunlun Red Star Culture & Sports Investment Group, Wang Mei, CEO of Melon Sports, and numerous industry leaders in internet and sports marketing attended the forum for an innovative collision between sports and the internet.
- Ice and Snow Industry Investment and Financing Seminar — In-depth analysis of investment and financing trends in the ice and snow industry, sharing investment experiences, and discussing how to select investment projects. Attendees include Niu Kuiguang, Partner at IDG Capital, and leaders from the sports investment and financing sector such as Altay Aihai Urban Development Co., Ltd., Beijing Cabrin Ski Sports Development Co., Ltd., and Sports BANK. A series of winter sports project roadshows will also be held.
- Winter Sports Equipment and Technology Forum — Highlighting the latest developments in the global winter sports equipment industry and sharing cutting-edge "black technologies" in winter sports gear. Attendees include Annamari Lammassaari, Secretary-General of the World Winter Sports Forum, Viktor Meier, Co-founder and CEO of Swiss company Leitner Ropeways, and executives from renowned domestic and international winter sports equipment companies.
Featuring rich supporting activities to lead new consumption trends
The winter sports industry is booming, and products and services related to winter sports are increasingly favored by consumers. In 2009, the number of skiers nationwide was less than 5 million, but by 2015, this figure had exceeded 10 million, with a growth rate of over 20% compared to 2014. It is projected that by 2022, the number of skiers will surpass 50 million. The winter sports industry has risen to the status of a national priority and has been incorporated into national and local economic development plans, playing a significant role in driving consumption and enriching public health and wellness.
Promoting mass winter sports consumption and popularizing winter sports are also key goals of the Winter Expo. During the 4-day exhibition, visitors can explore popular ski resorts and winter tourism destinations, the latest winter sports products, smart sports equipment, and other consumer-focused exhibits, and experience cutting-edge ice and snow technology. Over ten supporting industry activities were held concurrently during the Winter Expo, collectively propelling the ice and snow industry to new heights. These activities include the release of the "China Ice and Snow Industry Development Research Report," a winter photography exhibition, and the "Olympic Collection" event, all showcasing the unique charm of winter sports. The winter photography exhibition will feature exquisitely produced and uniquely shot works provided by China National Geography, allowing audiences passionate about ice and snow culture to experience the joy and excitement of winter sports firsthand. The diverse supporting activities will offer every visitor a rich and exciting cultural feast of winter sports.
Linking with the Beijing Winter Olympics to propel the ice and snow industry into a golden era
Currently, China’s economic growth is becoming more stable, with promising social development prospects and continuously rising per capita disposable income, leading to increasing consumption levels. This provides a solid foundation for the accelerated development of the winter sports industry. In 2013, the added value of sports and related industries nationwide reached 356.3 billion yuan, accounting for 0.63% of GDP; in 2014, it grew to 1,357.471 billion yuan, representing 0.64% of that year’s GDP. With the successful bid for the Beijing Winter Olympics and the national strategies of "moving winter sports southward" and the grand vision of "engaging 300 million people in winter sports," the breadth and depth of winter sports promotion in China will be significantly expanded, breaking the long-standing stagnation in global winter sports participation and greatly expanding the scale of the ice and snow industry in China and worldwide.
During this period of development, the International Winter Sports (Beijing) Expo supports the successful hosting of the Winter Olympics and will comprehensively lead the alignment and coordinated progress of the ice and snow industry chain in China and globally. It will deeply explore the vast potential of the ice and snow industry across various aspects such as apparel and equipment, venue facilities, talent training, sports experiences, event organization, tourism and leisure, and "internet+," while also promoting the nationwide expansion of winter sports, deepening public understanding and love for winter sports, and gradually diversifying winter sports into mass leisure activities. This will help propel China’s ice and snow industry into a golden era.
About the International Winter Sports (Beijing) Expo (WWSE)
The International Winter Sports (Beijing) Expo (World Winter Sports Expo) is a global, professional, and authoritative winter sports exhibition jointly organized by the Beijing Olympic City Development Promotion Association and International Data Group (IDG). Its goal is to promote the popularization of winter sports knowledge in China and achieve the objective of "engaging 300 million people in winter sports." The first International Winter Sports (Beijing) Expo has been held annually in Beijing, China since 2016, and will become the world’s largest and most authoritative premier ice and snow sports exhibition. Positioned at a professional and national level, the Winter Expo has received support and participation from the International Olympic Committee and seven international winter sports federations. It will assist in the preparation for the Winter Olympics, promote the overall advancement of sports in China, and foster and lead the vigorous development of the winter sports industry in China.
About International Data Group
International Data Group (IDG) is the world’s largest information technology publishing, research, exhibition, and venture capital company. Founded in 1964, the IDG group is headquartered in Boston, USA. It currently operates subsidiaries and branches in 90 countries and regions worldwide, employing 13,270 senior research experts and editorial staff. Utilizing modern information processing and delivery methods such as email, databases, telex, and online services, IDG has established a fast and comprehensive global information network. IDG entered the Chinese market as early as 1979, establishing the first Sino-American joint venture in China, International Data China Investment Company. Its main business areas include media partnerships, market research, venture capital, and exhibition events. Over the past 33 years, IDG’s business growth rate in China has consistently remained around 50%, the highest among all its global regions.