The well-consolidated European golf trade fair went relatively well. Despite its divorce from Fairways, which was held simultaneously in the Munich fairgrounds one year ago, it recorded 7 percent growth in attendance, clocking 5,427 visitors. The proportion of foreigners grew to 50 percent of the visitors, with a notable increase of visitors from Eastern Europe.
Held on a space of 27,500-square-meter in two halls, Golf Europe show saw the number of exhibitors go up by 11 percent to 297. Encouraged by these figures, despite the conspicuous absence of the Adidas Group, the organizers have plans to widen the concept of the trade fair, with an illustration of new fashion trends in golf apparel, which are being adopted by a younger clientele. The next edition will run from Sunday to Tuesday on Oct. 5-7 next year.
At the last show, which ended on Oct. 9, Golf Europe awarded its first prizes for golfing products in six different categories to companies that submitted the most innovative designs, although the organizers regretted the fact that many trend-setting firms had not participated in the contest. The first place for golf accessories went to the American brand Sun Mountain for its latest H2O golfing bag, while the second and third places went to Artigo and ProTeam Distribution, respectively. The hardware category was won by the Nanospeed i driver developed by Yonex. Second and third places for hardware went to the drivers of Wilson and Mizuno. In the functional clothing category, Abacus, of Sweden won the jury over with its new rain jacket and trousers, while two items by Nike Golf came both in second and third place. As for clothing fashions, and new label by Clover Creations, Girl Golf Europe, came in first place, followed by Italy’s Duca del Cosma in second and third place. FootJoy came first in the shoe category, with Hi-Tec Sports and Nike Golf following as second and third. TiTec won the caddie category with its TiCad Earlybird.
