FSB 2021: all set for the re-start

Around 270 companies from 35 countries, 70% from abroad

FSB, the International Trade Fair for Public Space, Sports and Leisure Facilities, which kicks off in Cologne in less than eight weeks, is all set to go. The leading international trade fair for the industry will play a key role in successfully relaunching the market, and is a must for anyone wanting to achieve success in the play, sports, public space and leisure sectors. Only here do all industry players get a comprehensive overview of what’s new: the latest technologies, product innovations, process optimisations and visionary planning. The #B-Safe4Business hygiene concept and the new 3-G concept, CH3CK, which requires all attendees to be fully vaccinated, or have recovered from an infection within the last six months (but at least 28 days ago), or test negative for Covid, will ensure that all participants are completely safe. FSB will take place from 26 to 29 October 2021 in co-location with aquanale, the International Trade Fair for Sauna.Pool.Ambience.

Around 270 companies from 35 countries will be exhibiting at FSB, which this year will cover approximately 37,000 sqm in Halls 9 and 10.1 of the Cologne trade fair grounds. More than 70 per cent of the exhibitors are from abroad. The strongest international presences come from France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Italy, Spain, the USA, Turkey and the Scandinavian countries. The exhibiting companies cover everything relating to public spaces, playground equipment, outdoor fitness, ice sports, sports equipment, sports flooring and stadium infrastructure.      

A trade fair is the ideal communication platform to give all market players an excellent and comprehensive overview of new technologies, smart concepts and product innovations. It’s also the only context in which it’s possible to have discussions and dialogue that are intensive enough to ultimately generate business and new leads. This is reflected in the strong presence of market-leading companies, which take vital inspiration from FSB. Among the companies participating in the Cologne event will be Polytan, SMG, Berliner Seilfabrik, Eurotramp, Kompan, Conica, Greenfields, CONDOR, Sport & Leisure/Domo Sports, Grass Inc/Edel Grass, Richter Spielgeräte, Lappset, Manfred Huck & Huck Seiltechnik, Sik Holz, Dr. Wolff, Bodet, Stockmeier, Seilfabrik Ullmann, Husson, Vinci Group, Bragmaia, Benz, W.M., Intercom, ISS Solar, Raita Sport and TenCate Grass.

With IAKS, the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities, as its conceptual partner, and with FIFA, the Synthetic Turf Council (STC) and its EMEA branch (ESTC), the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), the Federal Association of Playground Equipment and Leisure Facilities Manufacturers (BSFH), STADTundRAUM and the Sportnetzwerk @FSB network also on board, FSB enjoys the backing of many associations and cooperation partners, all of whom have plenty to offer both in terms of sports and additional content matter over numerous dedicated exhibition areas. The world-renowned IAKS Congress, along with further congresses and specialised events relating to public space, urban design and the planning, construction and management of sports facilities underline the significance of FSB as the leading international trade fair for the industry. 

Spanning in total around 65,000 square metres of exhibition space, both events, FSB and aquanale, turn the fair grounds in Cologne into the most important location for amenity area planning and design, the architecture and management of sports facilities, playgrounds, sports equipment, exercise areas, recreational facilities, as well as the public and private pool sectors.

The IAKS Congress will be taking place as part of FSB for the 27th time this year. The main programme theme for the IAKS Congress 2021 is “Developing healthy and sustainable communities”, providing an opportunity to explore how local authorities can create the right conditions for healthy and sustainable lifestyles for citizens. Congress sessions will focus on issues like “Climate change and environmental sustainability”, operational solutions (“Digitalisation and future trends”), and the social sustainability of sports and leisure facilities.

In addition, IOC, IPC and IAKS will once again confer the coveted international architecture prizes in 2021. The awards draw the public’s attention to exemplary buildings and facilities that succeed in bringing the factors sustainability and legacy, clear functionality and exceptional architecture into harmony with each other. 86 teams of operators and architects from 25 countries are vying for the awards this year. Furthermore, the IOC IPC IAKS Architecture and Design Award for Students and Young Professionals invites young architects, landscape architects and designers to conceive inventive spaces and surfaces for an active lifestyle. 44 students and career entrants from 12 countries have submitted their design concepts here.

The trade fair presence of the Federal Association of Playground Equipment and Leisure Facilities Manufacturers (BSFH) focuses on two themes: “Creative design for schoolyards – schoolchildren need movement” and “Safety on playgrounds”. For two days of the trade fair, a programme of lectures and workshops on these topics will take place – led by the BSFH, the trade journal “Playground & Landscape” and Koelnmesse.

Always well-attended, the themed area “STADTundRAUM” is returning once again for FSB 2021. In cooperation with STADTundRAUM, an attractive dedicated area and thematic concept is being realised once again in Hall 9, bringing together all the key elements for architects, project planners, landscape architects and decision makers at local authorities: these include attractive special events, the planerFORUM, the BDLA Day, hosted by the Federation of German Landscape Architects on 28 October 2021, informative tours and networking opportunities. FSB and STADTundRAUM will also present workshops, congress topics, the renowned Planner Forum, and an attractive special event focused on current issues such as amenity area planning, mobility, and urban planning and development. The German “Spielraum” Award for outstanding design of sports grounds and play areas, this year on the theme “Together”, will be presented in a special award ceremony on 29 October 2021.

For the third time in 2021, FSB will once again feature the networking area of SPORTNETZWERK.FSB, an initiative by Koelnmesse and the online cost calculator for sports facilities, Sportstättenrechner. The Networking Area, which is designed as an indoor arena, is where decision makers from clubs, stadiums, local authorities and the world of politics can meet leading companies from the sports facilities industry. Strong cooperation partners, including the Working Group of German Sports Offices (ADS), the German sports club confederation Freiburger Kreis and the regional sports development agency Sportland.NRW, support the trade fair project and provide a contextual framework.

The DOSB is also returning as an FSB partner. The German Olympic Sports Federation’s presentation programme at the leading International Trade Fair for Public Space, Sports and Leisure Facilities centres on selected events for industry specialists. On 28 October 2021, the DOSB is inviting sports centre officers from state sports federations to their annual knowledge sharing session and trade fair visit. The experts from the state sports federations will find out more about and discuss the latest developments, discoveries and perspectives in the field of sports facilities. In cooperation with IAKS Germany, the first ever German Sports Facilities Day will take place at FSB 2021. The event will proactively seek to put sports and leisure facilities in Germany on the agenda of political decision makers.

The trade fair duo of FSB and aquanale turn the fairgrounds in Cologne into the most important international meeting place for everything relating to public and private pools, the planning and design of public spaces and amenity areas, sports facilities and playgrounds, sports equipment, exercise spaces and recreational facilities. FSB is the international platform for the public spaces and amenity areas, play, sports, exercise and recreational industries. aquanale is the key international trade fair and business platform for all themes and products in the context of private and public pools, saunas, natural pools, spas and wellness facilities.

For more details, you may visit this link, or contact our Philippine Country Representative Ms. Riznha Mendoza