#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2020-01-16

ISPO Award jury honors sporting goods highlights of 2020

In lively discussions and sometimes really close decisions an international jury of experts chose the winners of the ISPO Award 2020. Image credit: Messe München/Matthias Robl

The winners of the ISPO Awards 2020, the gold standard of the sporting goods industry, have been selected. A jury of highly respected experts picked the highlights from a group of more than 430 submissions. Nearly 100 products will receive the honor of Product of the Year, Gold Winner or Winner this year.

The winners who competed in the four segments Snowsports, Outdoor, Fitness & Team Sports and Running impressed the jury with their innovation, function and design and beat out the competition in the process. The issue of sustainability was considered as a supplemental topic. Visitors attending ISPO Munich from January 26–29, 2020, will be able to experience many of the award-winning products in Hall B1 and attend the official award ceremony.

Winners of the ISPO Awards named

Jury selected winners from more than 430 submissions in four segments

Additional awards for special achievements in sustainability

ISPO Award presentation and exhibition during ISPO Munich

The nominated products were closely evaluated during a three-day meeting of the 42 jurors who came from 13 countries. The jury consisted of retailers, designers, athletes, media and product specialists as well as selected consumers from the ISPO community. Beforehand, some of the jurors also took part in three experience days that gave them the opportunity to try out the winter sports, outdoor and fitness products. A separate jury of experts evaluated the sustainability aspects of the products. “We had some very lively discussions and some really close decisions,” said Franziska Zindl, who oversees the ISPO Award. “All of the submitted products demonstrated the extent to which the industry has adapted to social changes and consumer needs. We also clearly saw the entire industry’s growing commitment to sustainability issues.” A report on the jury meeting is available online.

ISPO Award presentation and exhibition during ISPO Munich

The first day of ISPO Munich 2020 will be devoted to the ISPO Award 2020. For the first time in the award’s history, the products of the year will be officially presented on the first day of the trade fair. The awards in the Outdoor and Sustainability segments will be presented at 10:00 on Sunday morning, January 26, on the Academy Stage (West entrance). The winners of the Snowsports, Fitness & Team Sports and Running segments will receive their awards starting at 15:00.

The award-winning products of official ISPO Munich exhibitors will be showcased throughout the trade fair in Hall B1.

The ISPO Award: gold standard for the sporting goods industry

The ISPO Award is presented each year by a different jury made up of international and highly respected experts. This year’s jurors evaluated more than 430 submissions in four segments. The ISPO Award is considered to be the gold standard for the industry and a guide that retailers, consumers and media representatives can use to work their way through the product-packed sporting goods market. The award-winning products can be viewed all year round at ispo.com.

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

Messe Frankfurt commits further to East Africa: three textiles trade fairs during Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week from 2027

Messe Frankfurt and its Texpertise Network continue their steady, successful trajectory in the region. As Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) opened today, Member of the Executive Board Detlef Braun announced that Messe Frankfurt is licencing its three leading international trade fair brands Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess to Nairobi, Kenya for the first time in 2027. From now on, they will take place annually as part of the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) Nairobi.

“We Believe in the Value of Textiles”: Successful Opening of the KARL MAYER TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER

KARL MAYER inaugurated its new, state-of-the-art TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER (TIC) with a four-day opening week from April 21 to 24. The highlight of the week was the grand opening on Thursday, which drew a strong turnout from the international textile industry: around 220 customers, brands, and partners from across the textile value chain came to the company’s headquarters in Obertshausen for a first-hand look at the new high-tech development environment and lively exchange with industry peers.

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles unveils Trends 2027 alongside new lifestyle zone and product expansion

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition 2026 will spotlight forward-looking design directions and evolving consumer demand, as the global home and lifestyle market continues to adapt to sustainability priorities, emotional well-being, and diversified living spaces. Taking place from 18 – 20 August 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the fair will present its latest trend theme, ‘BREATHE UP!’, developed in collaboration with leading international trend forecaster NellyRodi™ Agency, alongside expanded product categories, and the debut of the Home Textiles Lifestyle Zone.

Itema to showcase weaving excellence at ITM 2026

From June 9 to 13, Itema will exhibit at ITM 2026 in Istanbul (Hall 8 – Stand 806D), unveiling a distinctive exhibition concept designed to highlight the Company’s expertise across the entire weaving value chain. For this year’s edition, Itema will introduce an innovative stand experience built around two core areas: advanced weaving and spare parts solutions and an immersive textile gallery featuring fabrics produced by Itema Customers worldwide.

Last chance to apply: ITMA 2027 Start-Up Valley closes tomorrow

Applications for the Start-Up Valley at ITMA 2027 close tomorrow, offering young technology companies the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of several successful participants from the 2023 edition. The initiative, organised under the CEMATEX Start-Up Grant programme, has already helped a number of textile start-ups accelerate their transition from early-stage concepts to industrial partnerships, funding rounds and commercial deployment.