The number of exhibitors at the third Asia Outdoor (starting July 30 and running to August 2, 2008) has grown to 241 international brands, up from the 207 exhibitors that participated last year. The number of overall visitors is expected to increase, as well, from about 8,000 trade visitors last year up to about 10,000 this year.

In addition to the known brands such as Vaude, Lowa, Meindl, Deuter, Northland and Tatonka, the European brand contingent has been expanded to include the exhibitors Salomon, Tecnica, Dolomite and Bergans. Also, the number of exhibitors from China and Taiwan continues to grow.

This year for the first time, “The North Face Cup – Asia Outdoor Climbing Competition” will take place at the Asia Outdoor. The North Face is on its way to becoming a lifestyle brand in China, and The Cup is being organized by the Chinese Mountaineering Association. The contract will run for three years.

Also new at the fair this year is the topic “Bike.” While several outdoor specialists, such as Sanfo (Peking, Shanghai), Green Ant (Xian) and Redfox (Shenzhen), have chosen the topic of mountain and touring bikes as a further profit driver, Trek USA and Giant, two large bike brands, are taking part for the first time at the Asia Outdoor with stands and a supporting program. Also, Outdoor Profi Vaude – well established in China since 2004 – will be presenting bike clothing for the first time on a separate stand.

As a result of the good results of the previous year, many brands have increased the size of their stands this year. As a result, the halls A, B and C are completely booked out.

One highlight of the fair will be the large photo exhibition of the Olympic Torch Relay on Mount Everest. Under the supervision of the Alpinist magazine, the original equipment manufacturers Ozark (down clothing, sleeping bags), Black Yack (clothing), Millet (shoes) and Vaude (rucksacks, tents, sleeping mats) will be showing the equipment used on Mount Everest on a stand totalling 600 square meters. The active mountaineers of the Torch Relay will be coming especially from Lahsa/Tibet and Peking to attend the fair in Nanjing.

The Asia Outdoor is a cooperation project between the Nanjing and the Friedrichshafen fair organizations which began in 2006. In May this year, both partners agreed to extend the cooperation for a further five years.