Martial Arts, Hosting the '2020 SPOEX Online Export Consultation'

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] The Korea International Trade Association (KITA), in collaboration with the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, held the '2020 Seoul International Sports Leisure Industry Exhibition (SPOEX) Virtual Export Consultation' for two days starting from the 17th at COEX, Samseong-dong.

This event was organized to support overseas expansion and non-face-to-face marketing of related companies after the cancellation of '2020 SPOEX,' the largest comprehensive domestic sports and leisure industry exhibition originally scheduled for February, due to the spread of COVID-19.

A total of 109 domestic companies in fields such as fitness, bicycles, golf, camping, water leisure, and healthcare participated in the consultation, conducting about 180 export consultations via video over two days with 53 pre-matched buyers from 13 countries including China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore. Major buyers included large retail buyers such as Xebio, Japan's number one sports retail company; Auchan International, the China global sourcing office of France's largest distribution company; and Flipkart, India's largest e-commerce company.

To prevent the recent surge of cluster infections in the metropolitan area, the association strictly enforced continuous mask-wearing inside the venue and maintaining a 2-meter distance in the consultation area. The event was conducted in compliance with social distancing and quarantine rules, including the installation of thermal cameras and limiting the consultation area capacity to under 50 people.

Meanwhile, the 'Let's Go Sports Export and Overseas Marketing Strategy Seminar,' which was scheduled to be held alongside the consultation, was changed to an online format due to the spread of COVID-19. The seminar, covering changes in the ASEAN consumer market, successful cases of overseas market entry by sports companies, and global e-marketing strategies, will be available from the 25th on the Trade Association's website and official YouTube channel.

Kim Hyun-chul, head of KITA's Global Marketing Division, said, "We also support participating companies by sending product samples overseas, producing promotional materials, and creating virtual reality (VR) e-catalogs," adding, "We will continue to support overseas marketing for the domestic sports industry in cooperation with related organizations."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.