With Gernot Kellermayr leaving the organization after 14 years of presidency, the Austrian Association of Sporting Goods Manufacturers and Suppliers (VSSÖ) is reorganizing its presidium. In the future, the presidium of the VSSÖ, which defines the operational and strategic goals of the association, will be composed of four members with equal rights: Dr. Holger Schwarting (head of Sport 2000 Austria), Dr. Michael Schineis (head of Amer Sports Austria), Johann Schober (CEO Sport Schober) and Dieter Hagleitner (head of Intersport’s rental business). Michael Nendwich – also managing president of the Federation of European Sporting Goods Retailers (FEDAS) – will continue to serve as managing director, the role he has held since 2008.
Schwarting succeeds Kellermayr, who will still be available to the VSSÖ for various projects, in his new function as spokesperson of the presidium. This position is elected every three years from among the equal members of the presidium to represent the VSSÖ externally, alternating between retail and industry. According to the VSSÖ, this new structure meets the industry’s need for an association that works together to promote the interests of its members from both industry and trade. A future concept for the VSSÖ is currently being drawn up, which is intended to drive forward the professionalization and specialization of the association.
