Nuremberg, 03.03.2024: International business thrives atIWA OutdoorClassics on its 50th anniversary. The The world's leading trade fair for the hunting and shooting sports industry it was once again the number one contact point for international business contacts this year. Around 40.000 visitors from 120 countries ensured that the halls were full. 1.072 exhibitors were happy to talk business and place orders. IWA OutdoorClassics thus confirms its international relevance at all levels – and continues to be the driving force in the industry. Over the last half century, approximately 1.000.000 visitors from all over the world have attended the IWA OutdoorClassics.
The number 1 for international business and innovations
What a signal for the 2024 business year: The hunting and shooting sports sector experienced an intense IWA OutdoorClassics in Nuremberg. A wide range of innovations were presented in a total of 9 halls which will now find their way into the international specialist trade. “We managed to meet high expectations for our anniversary edition,” summarizes Stefanie Leege, event director of the IWA OutdoorClassics. “The IWA OutdoorClassics continues to be the number one event for industry and trade worldwide, as confirmed by the repeated and significant visitor numbers. We are pleased with the increase in visitor numbers by 15% compared to the previous year,” continued Leege. More than 60 percent of professional visitors came to the IWA OutdoorClassics 2024 from abroad. The German specialist trade was also numerous at the IWA OutdoorClassics. 90% of all visitors are decision makers and influence purchases for their company.
IWA Knife Award – Winners and placings
This year the new one was awarded for the second time in a row IWA Knife Award. The participating companies exhibited the over 50 products presented in theBLADE Demo Area for the entire duration of the fair. A jury of knife industry experts selected a total of three winning knives. The following products ranked 1st to 3rd in their respective categories:
“Classic” category.
Winner: PUMA Solingen, PUMA White Hunter
Second place: OTTER, Bergmann
Third place: Windmühlenmesser, Hechtsäbel
“Innovation” category.
Winner: Fox Knives, Metamorphosis
Second place: Mercury, Logan Mini
Third place: TB OUTDOOR, Impact 127
“Operators' favorites” category
Winner: LAGUIOLE EN AUBRAC, Polarstern
1.000.000 professional visitors in 50 years of IWA history
To celebrate its golden anniversary, the exhibition offered visitors and exhibitors an extensive program and created an extraordinary atmosphere. The premiere of the future format was also very popular “IWA Vision”. “We are delighted with how much the industry celebrated and appreciated our anniversary. During all four days of the fair there was aconstantly positive atmosphere throughout the exhibition area,” commented Leege. With the anniversary edition, IWA OutdoorClassics has now become a milestone. Over the course of 50 years, around 1.000.000 trade visitors have attended the world's leading trade fair in Nuremberg.
Comments on the 2024 IWA OutdoorClassics
Bernhard Knöbel, Managing Director Carl Walther GmbH: IWA OutdoorClassics plays a key role in the success of our industry. For over 50 years it has been the most important place for our international trade. This year too we were pleased to welcome numerous international retailers to our stand: for us it was a particularly successful fair.
Dirk Prehn, CEO RWS GmbH: A word is a word, a handshake is a handshake. IWA OutdoorClassics is a center for exchange and viewing. For RWS the most important thing is to meet international retailers and distributors and talk to them face to face, and this is only possible at this fair. We are very happy with the last four days here at IWA OutdoorClassics 2024.
Graham Downing, President of the World Forum on Shooting Activities (WFSA): The IWA has two great advantages: the fair itself, but also its location. All industry leaders come to Nuremberg and visit IWA OutdoorClassics. As WFSA, we can talk to the people who matter in the shooting sport industry at the IWA. The IWA is simply the best trade fair, the perfect international meeting place.
Save the date: IWA OutdoorClassics 2025
The IWA OutdoorClassics will take place next year from 27.02 to 02.03. at the Nuremberg Exhibition Center.