For the Press

Final Report: Top results for FSB Cologne 2009

573 suppliers from 41 countries in 62,000 square metres  Trade fair duo FSB and aquanale attracted around 24,000 visitors  Very good visitor figures, strong internationality, high visitor quality  IAKS Congress the think tank for the worldwide sport and leisure industry  Sustainability, barrier-free facilities and synthetic turf the focal points

After three days, FSB, International Trade Fair for Amenity Areas, Sports and Pool Facilities, closed in Cologne on Friday, 30th October 2009 as a very successful event. With 573 exhibiting companies from 41 countries and gross exhibition space of 62,000 square metres, the event set a new record to mark its 40th anniversary. In the process, it registered an increase in exhibitors of 16 percent and growth in exhibition space of 24 percent compared to the previous fair. Held in combination with aquanale, International Trade Fair for Sauna, Pool, Ambience, FSB attracted a total of around 24,000 visitors. 61 percent of suppliers and 53 percent of visitors came to Cologne from abroad. "The clear increase in the number of exhibitors and exhibition space, the very good visitor figures, the strong internationality and not least the high visitor quality clearly underline the position of FSB as the leading international trade fair for the amenity areas, sports and pool facilities sectors", said Oliver P. Kuhrt, Executive Vice-President Koelnmesse. The outstanding response also delighted the organizers of the 21st IAKS Congress, within the framework of which global trends in sports facility construction were discussed and exceptional projects presented. The highlight was the presentation of the IOC/IAKS Award and the IPC/IAKS Distinction. Dr. Stephan Holthoff-Pförtner, President of the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (Internationale Vereinigung Sport- und Freizeiteinrichtungen - IAKS), summed up the event: "The IAKS Congress and associated specialist conferences at this year's FSB attracted a total of around 1,350 participants from over 40 countries. As a result, once again this year the leading role of FSB and the IAKS Congress as business, contact and communication platforms for the international sports facility and leisure industry was impressively confirmed."

International contacts at a high level
All the market leaders from home and abroad were represented at FSB in Cologne. The exhibitors from all sectors expressed their delight at the large number of visitors and well-frequented stands. A good mood was also ensured by the large numbers of international visitors. In particular increases in visitor numbers were registered from Eastern Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa. The exhibitors were very positive in their assessment of the visitors' high decision-making competence and authority. This assessment is confirmed by the initial results of the neutral visitor survey: 89 percent of visitors are involved in procurement and purchasing decisions at their companies.

Visitors gave FSB 2009 top marks
The event also came in for great praise as far as the visitors were concerned. In this connection the visitor survey revealed that 83 percent of the respondents were very satisfied or satisfied with the attainment of their objectives during the fair. The broadly structured product spectrum also ensured that 79 percent assessed the exhibition range as very good or good. This extremely positive assessment of the event meant that 88 percent of the visitors surveyed would recommend visiting FSB to a good business friend.

IAKS Congress a think tank for the worldwide sport and leisure industry
To mark its 40th anniversary the IAKS Congress once again lived up to its reputation as the worldwide think tank for the sport and leisure industry. Around 550 guests and delegations from more than 40 countries seized the opportunity to inform themselves about the latest trends. In addition to guests from Russia, Poland and the Ukraine, among others the event also welcomed participants from the USA and Canada, Chile, Brazil and Venezuela as well as from Israel, Gambia, Malaysia and New Zealand. Dr. Stephan Holthoff-Pförtner summed up the key features of the event: "Networking was the core element of this year's Congress. Be it on themes such as barrier-free facilities, demographic change, application of technology, major sporting events or stadium infrastructures - once again this year the IAKS Congress offered excellent possibilities for the exchange of information between experts and decision-makers from all over the world." That was also confirmed by the presence and active involvement of many top-ranking representatives from leading international institutions such as for example Dr. Thomas Bach, Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee, Professor Walther Tröger, Chairman of the IOC "Sport for All" Commission, Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee, and Dr. Michael Vesper, Director General of the German Olympic Sports Federation (DOSB). On the evening of the first day of the fair exemplary sports and leisure facilities already in use were presented with the IOC/IAKS Award 2009 and IPC/IAKS Distinction. The delighted winner of the competition was China with two gold, two silver and a bronze medal as well as two IPC/IAKS Distinctions. In this connection the Olympic Stadium in Beijing known as the "bird's nest" not only won the gold medal in the stadiums category but also the IPC/IAKS Distinction for barrier-free facilities. All 28 prize-winning entries for the IOC/IAKS Award for exemplary sports and leisure facilities along with the 10 IPC/IAKS Distinctions for barrier-free sports facilities were presented in a special show on the IAKS trade fair stand.

Sustainable sports facilities, synthetic turf and a lot of sporting action
In the exhibition halls numerous exciting products and projects were presented, too. Generally important themes were the sustainability and barrier-free aspect of sports facilities, but also financing models such as PPP projects. In the sports facility section the theme of synthetic turf played a key role, because the world's largest synthetic turf exhibition was held within FSB. Over 100 companies presented the latest developments and diverse range of possible applications for artificial grass. The new generation of synthetic turf presented at the event not only improves the ball's rolling and playing characteristics. It also looks more natural and has easier-care properties. "We are very satisfied with business at the fair", said Albert Prisse, Secretary-General of the European Synthetic Turf Organisation (ESTO). "We not only had a very large number, but also very interesting international contacts. In particular the concept of the ESTO members' joint, spacious presentation in Hall 11.3 clearly proved itself." The premiere of the Synthetic Turf Forum organized by ESTO and the IAKS was a complete success: In 19 sessions and the IAKS special conference entitled "Municipalities and Sport", sector experts from FIFA, the Synthetic Turf Council, the Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA) along with representatives from the sector's leading players presented and discussed the requirements, latest trends and best-Practice examples covering all aspects of the synthetic turf theme in front of an audience of around 500 visitors. In addition, in the sports facility section, among others new indoor floor coverings, modular sports facilities, modern display, projection and time-keeping systems, new ticket terminals and check-out systems, sports appliances and equipment and even an anti-vandalism court were presented. In addition to products and projects, the visitors also had the opportunity to indulge in sporting activities in the exhibition halls: in the FIBA Village basketball and wheelchair basketball were played, on the mini football pitches among others the Bambini league teams competed against each other, while the ice rink presented ice hockey, exhibition skating and curling. A further additional sporting highlight was the hockey tournament in which the Koelnmesse All Stars Team took to the hockey pitch to face a select team from Rot-Weiss Köln, the current German champions in indoor and field hockey. The game ended in a 12:12 draw.

Water boulevard, SPA WORLDS and Swimming Pool and Wellness Forum
Themes such as full-access facilities, financing models and sports and games fun were also very popular in the pools section at FSB. Be it swimming pool hoists and lifts, PPP projects for financing municipal pools, water games equipment or water slides with LED lighting effects - the exhibitors presented a diverse range of projects, new features and innovations. The product spectrum extended from large swimming pools for municipal sports and leisure baths, slides and water attractions through to access-control systems right up to aqua fitness. As themes such as swimming pool technology, water treatment and equipment/fittings are of interest to the visitors at FSB as well as the parallel event aquanale, for the first time the swimming pool sections of both fairs were linked with each other via a Water Boulevard. This axis linking the two directly adjacent halls featuring the public and private pool sectors was very well frequented by visitors who came to see the total of around 350 companies from the swimming pool and sauna segments at the two international trade fairs.

In terms of contents both events were also linked by the 3rd Cologne Swimming Pool and Wellness Forum. As a recognized trend and contact exchange for the swimming pool, sauna and wellness industry, the event was very well frequented and registered a record number of visitors. "We welcomed over 300 participants, among others from Italy, France, Romania, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary and even Malaysia", said Dieter C. Rangol, Executive Director, Federal Association of Swimming Pools and Wellness (Bundesverband Schwimmbad und Wellness - bsw), summing up the event. "That shows that in just a few years, thanks to highly topical themes and top-ranking experts, we have succeeded in creating a forum of international significance." The forum, which was organized by the bsw, IAKS and BSB (Federal Association for Sauna Construction, Infra-red and Steam Baths / (Bundesfachverband Saunabau, Infrarot- und Dampfbad) in collaboration with Koelnmesse, this year focussed the key themes "Energy Efficiency and Sustainability" and "Safety and Technology". A third complex concerned itself with the special theme "40 Years of Stainless Steel Pools". In particular the explanations on the new European safety norm EN 15288 met with great interest, as the participants had the opportunity to discuss the standard, which defines new safety requirements for the planning and operation of public-access swimming pools, with its creators.

There was also a very large number of visitors to the prize presentation ceremony for the "SPA WORLDS" international competition, which had been jointly organized by the European Waterpark Association (EWA) and Koelnmesse. The aim of the competition was to design visions of pool fun and enjoyment of the future based on the pool cultures of the past. With their "Water Cells" concept Silvia Martín Delgado and Sara Alvarellos Navarro from Madrid impressed the members of the jury and as a result won 1st Prize. Second prize belonged to Hannes Morgenroth from Bad Rodach for his "Massive Leichtigkeit" (Massive Lightness) creation. 3rd prize went to a delighted André Kößler from Münsterhausen for his entry entitled "Kairos". EWA President Dr. Michael Quell said summing up: "The creative designs submitted by all contestants bring fresh, innovative ideas to the pools industry. At the same time we have succeeded in drawing the attention of young planners and designers to the theme of pools and wellness as shown by the total of 70 students from Europe who participated in the competition." In the view of the EWA President, the trend towards health and wellness is leading to a clear upturn in the pools industry, which in his opinion, was also reflected in the outstanding visitor figures for FSB.

Urban space for all: multi-generation and barrier free
Numerous sport and fitness appliances were waiting to be tried out by everyone in the amenities section at FSB. Because in addition to urban furnishings and facilities for the municipal sector, the facilities shown included outdoor fitness appliances enabling training and massage in the fresh air, along with playground equipment to set children's pulses racing. In general there was a clearly evident trend towards creating urban spaces for everyone - in a multi-generation and barrier-free approach. This extended from urban furnishings in the form of benches, which offer particularly older people and the handicapped more seating comfort, through to a wheelchair users' trampoline up to diverse fitness courses and tracks, which can be used by people of all age groups, health and training levels. Complementing this at FSB the presentation of the 2009 German Playground Award (SPIELRAUM Preis 2009) was held under the motto "Playgrounds for Everyone" (Spielraum für Alle!). The competition had been organized by Koelnmesse's partner, STADT und RAUM Messe und Medien GmbH. The City of Nuremberg won 1st prize for exemplary playgrounds with its "Exercise Park for all Generations of the Breslauer Straße". Rolf von der Horst, Executive Director STADT und RAUM Messe und Medien GmbH, said he was very satisfied with business at the fair: "Our design concept of the actively structured presentation area "STADT und RAUM - the centre at FSB" with central communication areas was a great success. We were also very pleased with the response to our programme contents consisting of congress and seminars which was very well received. In particular the stronger linking of the seminar programme and exhibition themes with demographic change offered a noticeable value added for planners, seminar visitors and exhibitors. Not least with additional exhibitors - for example Richter Spielgeräte, Kaiser & Kühne or MWH Object + Design - we have achieved a genuine enhancement on the exhibitors' side." Other events in the amenity areas segment such as the Landscape Architects' Conference with its "Land Creates Landscape" motto, the NRW Municipal Gardens and Parks Heads Conference or the presentations of Regionale 2010 and the Landscape Research, Development and Construction Society (Forschungsgesellschaft Landschaftsentwicklung Landschaftsbau - FLL) met with keen interest.

FSB facts and figures:
FSB 2009 attracted 573 companies from 41 countries participating in gross exhibition space of 62,000 m². They included 187 exhibitors and 38 additionally-represented companies from Germany along with 330 exhibitors and 18 additionally-represented firms from abroad. The foreign share was 61 percent. Including estimates for the last day of the fair, the combined trade fair event FSB and aquanale attracted approximately 24,000 trade visitors from 105 countries. The foreign share was 53 percent.*

* All figures have been compiled according to the guidelines set by the Society for Voluntary Control of Fair and Exhibition Statistics (Gesellschaft zur Freiwilligen Kontrolle (FKM)

FSB 2011
The next FSB, International Trade Fair for Amenity Areas, Sports and Pool Facilities, will be held from Wednesday, 26th to Friday, 28th October 2011 parallel and directly adjacent to the theme-related event aquanale, International Trade Fair for Sauna, Pool, Ambience (26th to 29th October 2011).

Digital Press Service
You will find the Final Report, further press releases, the list of new products and innovations, the exhibitors' press compartments along with the image database containing photos and logo on the Internet (www.fsb-cologne.com) in the "For the press" section.

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