The Meeting

72 hours 195 products 9 experts

Mobile Power Generation, Digitalization, Individualization – that’s how you could summarize the basic ideas behind the products that have applied for an ISPO Award this time. The expert jury meets regularly on different sites to select their favorites.

First a paragliding flight, and then into the ISPO Award jury meeting with a fresh mind: This time, sports experts from three countries judged the most innovative products. From the app for individual performance improvement and new recycling ideas to completely newly developed sports products - there was a lot to be amazed at during the two-day meeting. There was plenty to marvel at, laugh at and test even more.

Rarely has a jury meeting for the ISPO Award illustrated the enormous creativity of the sports business better: “At this jury meeting, I was particularly impressed by the diversity of the products and digital services submitted. From highly specialized sports equipment to innovations that provide access to sports for a broad target group,” explains jury member and Editor at Large ISPO.com, Andi Spies, at the end of the event. More than 40 products had made it into the final selection and were presented to the international jury of experts in Garmisch-Partenkirchen shortly after.

Above the roofs of the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen

With a view of the city and mountains, namely on the roof terrace of the award-winning Moun10 Youth Hostel, the products and services submitted had to be examined in detail. Climbing scaffolds were set up, avalanche backpacks were released, apps were loaded and tested, and jackets, pants, shoes and backpacks were tried on. Even a new bike wash was among the nominated products and could be tested because a local bike rental company already works with it.

Above: The team of the third jury meeting Left: The team of the forth jury meeting

Trends: mobile power generation, digitalization, individualization

In view of the current energy situation, the products submitted for mobile, solar power generation proved to be highly topical. The megatrend of sustainability was not as obvious this time as in previous rounds, but of course still resonated with almost all products. This was mainly due to the fact that less clothing was submitted overall and more hardware - or digital services. For the first time, several new apps and digital devices were among the nominees. For example, an application that uses artificial intelligence to offer consumers products that are precisely tailored.

However, products that have simply been convincingly developed further also stood a good chance; these include new hydration bladder systems, high-performance headlamps or bike towing systems that also make cycling uphill fun for children.

Jury meeting with a lot of adrenaline

Of course, this meeting was not without sports and adrenaline. On the very first day it went with Fly Garmisch first up to the Kreuzeck and then by paraglider tandem flight back down into the valley. The wind conditions were treacherous, not every takeoff was successful at first go. The flight was all the more beautiful for it, with a magnificent view over snow-covered peaks and the bustling town. For most of the jurors, the paragliding flight was a premiere. Accordingly intoxicated, with beaming faces and above all a lot of energy for the next product evaluations, all landed safely back on earth.

First snow at jury meeting number 4 in Bayrischzell

A quiet farmstead near Bayrischzell. The surrounding mountain landscape delicately dusted with the first snow. Pure idyll. In the main house of the farmstead, hustle and bustle. The Hasenöhrl Hof, a cozy cooking and event location of the eponymous owner and chef Bärbl Hasenöhrl, provided part of the premises for the fourth jury meeting of the ISPO Awards this year.

And space was needed. After the process and concept of the ISPO Awards was adapted a year ago now, the industry had fully embraced the new concept. With ISPO taking place for the first time in November and a new ISPO Awards exhibition, there were accordingly many new products to choose from. Over 100 entries had to be evaluated by a jury consisting of industry experts and the collaborators, consumers with an affinity for sports. The number of entries can confidently be considered a success.

An additional competition held outdoors

Smoking heads were juxtaposed with culinary delights and one or two sporting activities to compensate.. One activity should be briefly mentioned here: crossgolfing was on the agenda for the second day. As a title and incentive, an AlpenPlus ski card was ready to be received by the winning team. And so, in the rain, between hole-in-one and shots far from the target holes, all golfing skills were thrown into the ring. The Henkel/Rasp team secured the victory.

Quality makes the difference

In the end, 57 products achieved the number of points required to be ISPO Award-worthy. The fact that, despite the mass of entries, there was also a massive increase in the quality of the products submitted shows that the industry is well on the way to realizing its full potential. The winners will be on display in the Future Lab at ISPO Munich 2022 at the end of November.

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