Grand Opening of October 2024 Global Sources Sports & Outdoor Show Emerging Sports Rise: Pickleball and AR Fitness Take Center Stage

HONG KONG, Oct. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Phase 3 of the 2024 Global Sources Hong Kong Shows officially opened today, featuring the Global Sources Sports & Outdoor Show alongside the debut of the Global Sources Baby & Children's Products Show. The events will run until October 30 at AsiaWorld-Expo. With growing global awareness of health consciousness, the sports and outdoor industry is experiencing explosive growth. The Sports & Outdoor Show, first launched last year, has successfully captured trends in the sports industry and met global buyers' demands.

The Global Sources Sports & Outdoor Show showcases over 30,000 high-quality, fashionable, technological, and environmentally friendly sports and outdoor products, featuring approximately 600 booths from Asia. The shows cover equipment for camping, fitness, water sports, outdoor activities, sportswear, and accessories, aiming to build a comprehensive sports lifestyle ecosystem and create a one-stop fashion sports sourcing platform. The Global Sources Baby & Children's Products Show concurrently showcases baby products, toys, clothing, strollers, car seats, children's furniture, and related maternal and infant services.

John Kao, Vice President of Global Sources Hong Kong and Overseas Shows, stated: "The sports and outdoor market is experiencing unprecedented development opportunities. People's pursuit of a healthy lifestyle and love of nature are driving the robust growth of the sports and outdoor industry. Our shows follow market trends by not only providing buyers with a diverse range of high-quality sports and outdoor products but also by introducing immersive sports experiences and emerging sports programs, bringing new vitality and business opportunities to the industry. Global Sources will continue to promote the development of the sports and outdoor market and build a superior platform for global buyers and suppliers to exchange ideas and cooperate."

Newly Emerged Sports Growth: Indoor Pickleball Experience Space Added

Global Sources Sports & Outdoor breaks from traditional exhibition formats by introducing a series of immersive sports experiences for buyers. Among newly emerged sports, Pickleball has shown significant growth, with Hong Kong recently opening its first indoor Pickleball experience space, demonstrating enormous business potential and broad development prospects. Global Sources set up a Pickleball court and launches a "Pickleball Training Camp" with HKPickle.Union. Visitors can interact on-site and experience the unique charm of Pickleball under the guidance of promotional ambassadors and professional coaches, stimulating buyers' purchasing interest in the emerging sports trend.

The show has also established a Sports Carnival in Hall 5, featuring basketball, air hockey, smart bike riding, darts, table football, and other sports gaming facilities. Through a series of sports and outdoor-themed activities and competitions, buyers can enjoy sports in fun competitions while sourcing products in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

Wellness & Fitness Zone: PURE Yoga Classes and Latest AR Fitness Equipment

Phase 3 of the Global Sources Hong Kong Shows has set up a special "Wellness & Fitness Zone" in collaboration with local premium fitness center PURE, bringing a series of yoga and fitness activities to buyers and exhibitors. PURE's professional yoga instructors will provide yoga experiences on-site and share yoga-related knowledge.

The experience zone will also showcase the latest AR fitness equipment, which won the 2023 Red Dot Winner Award. This equipment integrates digitalization, artificial intelligence, gym training, strength training, and smart home fitness functions, providing visitors with an immersive fitness experience. Through these activities, buyers can closely understand and experience the latest sports and outdoor products while personally participating in health and fitness practices.

International Pavilions Showcase Diversity, Innovation

The exhibition continues its internationalization, attracting pavilions from countries including India and Vietnam. The Vietnamese manufacturers' group is presenting highly competitive and cost-effective new products such as sportswear, swimwear, and functional bags. These products highlight Vietnam's increasing craftsmanship and design capabilities while bringing Southeast Asian fashion design concepts and creativity to the show. On the opening day, the Vietnam Pavilion held an opening ceremony attended by Hu Wei, CEO of Global Sources; Mrs. Le Duc Hanh, Consul General of Vietnam in Hong Kong; John Kao, Vice President of Global Sources Hong Kong and Overseas Shows; and Sam Hui, Vice President of Global Resources Strategy and International Business, who jointly witnessed this important moment.

Onsite Summit Program

Phase 3 of the Global Sources Hong Kong Shows features a series of professional forums under the theme "Thriving Together: Novel Products for Active Folks and Little Ones." The event brings together industry representatives from the E-Commerce Association of Hong Kong, Pantone, Novelty Lane, SGS, Tech Packs Co, and others to explore industry development trends and share market updates. The forums cover various hot topics, including "PANTONEVIEW Colour Planner Autumn/Winter 2025/26 - Family," "The Rise of Fashion-Forward Active Apparel and Gear," and "Navigating the Latest Pitfalls for Selling Baby and Kids Products on Amazon." A highlight forum, "Champion's Choice: Elite Athlete Unveils the Winning Gear," features Ms. Pui Yin Yip, former Olympic badminton representative, sharing insights on athletes' preferred sports apparel and equipment, meeting buyers' needs for the latest market dynamics.

Focusing on Sustainable Development and Upgrading Digital Services

As consumers' awareness of environmental protection continues to strengthen, Global Sources Hong Kong Shows, as an internationally leading B2B procurement platform, actively practices ESG principles. From the meticulous layout of the exhibition hall to the orderly organization of events, it comprehensively implements measures for environmental protection and sustainable development. In these shows, Global Sources strongly encourages exhibitors to showcase their ESG labels, making it easier for buyers to identify and select suppliers that meet environmental standards. This initiative motivates suppliers to put environmental concepts into practice and jointly promotes the green development of the industry.

At the same time, the shows have launched the feature-rich Show Genie 2.0 APP, providing visitors with more convenient exhibition features. These include fast entry through QR code registration, a search function to quickly locate desired exhibitors and products, personalized exhibition routes, and online note-taking capabilities. This greatly enhances the exhibition experience for visitors.

About Global Sources

Global Sources is an internationally recognized B2B sourcing platform that has been driving global trade for over 50 years. The Company connects authentic buyers and verified suppliers worldwide with tailored solutions and trusted market intelligence through trade shows, digital platforms, magazines and events. Global Sources' unique online-to-offline (O2O) services have successfully provided efficient and convenient commercial services to over 10 million registered international buyers and users.

This press release is distributed by Market Hubs Holdings Limited.

For Media Inquiry:

Market Hubs Holdings Limited

Lierence Li

Debbie So

+852 3998-4900

+852 3998-4900

lierence@markethubsgroup.com

debbie@markethubsgroup.com

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Grand Opening of October 2024 Global Sources Sports & Outdoor Show Emerging Sports Rise: Pickleball and AR Fitness Take Center Stage

Grand Opening of October 2024 Global Sources Sports & Outdoor Show Emerging Sports Rise: Pickleball and AR Fitness Take Center Stage

Grand Opening of October 2024 Global Sources Sports & Outdoor Show Emerging Sports Rise: Pickleball and AR Fitness Take Center Stage

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Company and Toyota Motor Corporation have successfully teamed up to host the first-ever 'Hyundai N x TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival' at Yongin Speedway in Korea.

Hyundai N and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, both competitors in the World Rally Championship (WRC), teamed up for the event to showcase Hyundai and Toyota's high-performance production and racing cars. The sold-out event highlighted their shared commitment to boosting South Korea's motorsport culture and enhancing customer engagement.

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung and Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda actively participated in the event. Chung joined Toyoda piloting a Yaris WRC performing Morizo's signature intense performance driving including donuts in the midst of roaring applause of spectators. After the performance run, the two men walked up on stage together thanking nearby fans, shook hands and shared their thoughts.

"With our high-performance N brand, we're committed to delivering excitement and satisfying all car enthusiasts. We'll continue to push forward in motorsport alongside Toyota so that more people can enjoy the thrill of driving," said Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group. "When I met with Chairman Akio Toyoda earlier this year, we discovered our mutual passion for racing, and I was delighted that we could hold this event. Chairman Toyoda is someone in the automotive industry that I respect deeply, and it's an honor to be here with him today," he added.

Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda began with a warm "Saranghaeyo!" (meaning "I love you" in Korean) and continued, "Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of meeting with Executive Chair Chung in Japan, where this wonderful idea took shape. And here we are, just 10 months later, making this incredible event a reality! I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped bring this event to life. Together, Toyota and Hyundai are joining hands to create a better society and shape the future of mobility."

Following the two executives' show runs, the Hyundai N brand treated fans to dynamic show runs featuring its i20 N Rally 1 Hybrid, two i20 N Rally 2 competition cars for customer motorsport, the mass-produced high-performance N lineup – including IONIQ 5 N and Elantra N – and the IONIQ 5 N Drift Spec.

Hyundai N's show run drivers included Thierry Neuville, who is currently leading the 2024 WRC drivers' championship, Dani Sordo, Andreas Mikkelsen, and Mikel Azcona, the 2022 World Touring Car Cup champion.

Toyota demonstrated its high-performance lineup with dynamic show runs that featured the brand's GR YARIS Rally 1 HYBRID, GR Yaris Rally 2, GR Supra and GR86.

The drivers included current Toyota WRC driver Takamoto Katsuta, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally team principal Jari-Matti Latvala, and Norihiko Katsuta, a nine-time Japanese Rally champion and the father of Takamoto Katsuta.

The festival included a variety of participatory programs to give customers firsthand experience, including a track day event that saw 30 Hyundai N-model owners and 30 owners of TOYOTA GR vehicles drive their own high-performance vehicles on the Yongin Speedway circuit. This allowed them to directly experience the performance of their cars on a professional-level circuit.

Other immersive programs included the 'WRC Taxi', where customers got the opportunity to ride in a full WRC racing car to witness impressive rally-style maneuvers, and the 'WRC Circuit Taxi', where drivers from both companies – including master driver 'Morizo' himself – took passengers on a high-speed tour of the track, showcasing the full capabilities of each brand's WRC vehicles.

The event also featured a 'Gymkhana Competition', where professional drivers from Hyundai N and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing teamed up with customers to race in Hyundai's Avante N and Toyota's GR86. Additionally, the 'Show & Shine' corner of the event showcased participants' customized vehicles, celebrating the tuning culture surrounding both brands.

The event culminated in a 'Parade Lap' featuring 66 Hyundai N and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing vehicles driven by customers. Executive Chair Chung and Chairman Toyoda led the way. Hyundai Motor and Toyota Motor Corporation also showcased their respective next-generation high-performance vehicles at their respective brand booths during the event.

At the Hyundai N booth, the company displayed two 'Rolling Labs': the RN24, a new test vehicle that embodies Hyundai N's new vision of high performance, and the N Vision 74, a hydrogen fuel cell hybrid that underscores Hyundai Motor's commitment to hydrogen innovation. The IONIQ 5 N TA Spec that conquered Pikes Peak and fan favorite the Elantra N were also exhibited.

At the Toyota booth, several innovative models were showcased. These included the ORC ROOKIE GR Corolla H2 Concept, the AE86 H2 concept – a hydrogen internal combustion engine powered vehicle based on the Toyota Sprinter Trueno. Alongside these, concept cars from the high-performance lineup, including the GR Supra and the GR86, were also on display.

Other attractions included the 'WRC Game Zone', where attendees could virtually drive Hyundai N and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing vehicles through the racing simulator. This was joined by the 'Racing Car Service Park' where festival goers could watch the competition race car being serviced in prepared for events exactly as they would in WRC stage.

At the event, Hyundai Motor and Toyota Motor Corporation announced that they will donate all proceeds from ticket sales to the Korea Automobile Racing Association (KARA) to contribute to the development of domestic car culture and the expansion of motorsport.

Hyundai Motor reinforces commitment to driving motorsport culture

The 'Hyundai N x TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival' is the latest effort in a long line of initiatives by Hyundai Motor to develop motorsport culture in South Korea. Over the past 20-plus years, Hyundai has held the 'Hyundai Click Speed Festival' (2003-2010), the 'Korea Speed Festival' (2011-2018), and the 'Hyundai N Festival' (2019-current).

In addition, since announcing its return to competition in the WRC in 2012, Hyundai Motor has participated in numerous motorsport events, gaining experience and developing innovative technologies, such as high-performance vehicle suspension and braking systems.

In 2015, the company launched its high-performance brand, Hyundai N, and released high-performance vehicles equipped with motorsport-based technologies. Hyundai's N models continue to deliver the joy of driving to customers, enhancing the overall technological competitiveness of Hyundai vehicles by expanding the application of high-performance vehicle technologies to general vehicles.

Hyundai Motor is pioneering a new area of high-performance eco-friendly vehicles by applying this approach to technological innovation to vehicles such as the IONIQ 5 N, providing driving fun in the era of electrification.

Looking ahead, Hyundai World Rally Team and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team will showcase dynamic performances of both squads when they compete in the FORUM8 Rally Japan, the final round of the FIA World Rally Championship 2024 series, from Thursday, November 21 to Sunday, November 24 in Aichi and Gifu prefectures, Japan.

More information about Hyundai Motor and its products can be found at: https://www.hyundai.com/worldwide/en/ or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai 

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Hyundai Motor and Toyota Motor Corporation Drive Motorsport Culture at 'Hyundai N x TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival'

Hyundai Motor and Toyota Motor Corporation Drive Motorsport Culture at 'Hyundai N x TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival'

Hyundai Motor and Toyota Motor Corporation Drive Motorsport Culture at 'Hyundai N x TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival'