21st IAKS Congress and FSB 2009

IAKS Congress a think tank for the worldwide sport and leisure industry

To mark its 40th anniversary the IAKS Congress from 28th to 30th October 2009 once again lived up to its reputation as the worldwide think tank for the sport and leisure industry. Around 550 guests and delegations from more than 40 countries seized the opportunity to inform themselves about the latest trends. In addition to guests from Russia, Poland and the Ukraine, among others the event also welcomed participants from the USA and Canada, Chile, Brazil and Venezuela as well as from Israel, Gambia, Malaysia and New Zealand. IAKS President Dr. Stephan Holthoff-Pförtner summed up the key features of the event: “Networking was the core element of this year's Congress. Be it on themes such as barrier-free facilities, demographic change, application of technology, major sporting events or stadium infrastructures – once again this year the IAKS Congress offered excellent possibilities for the exchange of information between experts and decision-makers from all over the world.”

That was also confirmed by the presence and active involvement of many top-ranking representatives from leading international institutions such as for example Dr. Thomas Bach, Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee, Professor Walther Tröger, Chairman of the IOC “Sport for All” Commission, Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee, and Dr. Michael Vesper, Director General of the German Olympic Sports Federation (DOSB).

IOC/IAKS Award 2009 and IPC/IAKS Distinction

On the evening of the first day of the fair exemplary sports and leisure facilities already in use were presented with the IOC/IAKS Award 2009 and IPC/IAKS Distinction. The delighted winner of the competition was China with two gold, two silver and a bronze medal as well as two IPC/IAKS Distinctions. In this connection the Olympic Stadium in Beijing known as the “bird's nest” not only won the gold medal in the stadiums category but also the IPC/IAKS Distinction for barrier-free facilities. All 28 prize-winning entries for the IOC/IAKS Award for exemplary sports and leisure facilities along with the 10 IPC/IAKS Distinctions for barrier-free sports facilities were presented in a special show on the IAKS trade fair stand.

Top results for FSB 2009

After three days, FSB, International Trade Fair for Amenity Areas, Sports and Pool Facilities, closed in Cologne on Friday, 30th October 2009 as a very successful event. With 573 exhibiting companies from 41 countries and gross exhibition space of 62,000 square metres, the event set a new record to mark its 40th anniversary. In the process, it registered an increase in exhibitors of 16 percent and growth in exhibition space of 24 percent compared to the previous fair. Held in combination with aquanale, International Trade Fair for Sauna, Pool, Ambience, FSB attracted a total of around 24,000 visitors. 61 percent of suppliers and 53 percent of visitors came to Cologne from abroad. “The clear increase in the number of exhibitors and exhibition space, the very good visitor figures, the strong internationality and not least the high visitor quality clearly underline the position of FSB as the leading international trade fair for the amenity areas, sports and pool facilities sectors”, said Oliver P. Kuhrt, Executive Vice-President Koelnmesse.

The outstanding response also delighted the organizers of the 21st IAKS Congress, within the framework of which global trends in sports facility construction were discussed and exceptional projects presented. The highlight was the presentation of the IOC/IAKS Award and the IPC/IAKS Distinction. Dr. Stephan Holthoff-Pförtner, President of the IAKS, summed up the event: “The IAKS Congress and associated specialist conferences at this year’s FSB attracted a total of around 1,350 participants from over 40 countries. As a result, once again this year the leading role of FSB and the IAKS Congress as business, contact and communication platforms for the international sports facility and leisure industry was impressively confirmed.”

3rd Cologne Swimming Pool and Wellness Forum

In terms of contents both events were also linked by the 3rd Cologne Swimming Pool and Wellness Forum. As a recognized trend and contact exchange for the swimming pool, sauna and wellness industry, the event was very well frequented and registered a record number of visitors. “We welcomed over 300 participants, among others from Italy, France, Romania, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary and even Malaysia”, said Dieter C. Rangol, Executive Director, Federal Association of Swimming Pools and Wellness (Bundesverband Schwimmbad und Wellness - bsw), summing up the event. “That shows that in just a few years, thanks to highly topical themes and top-ranking experts, we have succeeded in creating a forum of international significance.” The forum, which was organized by the bsw, IAKS and BSB (Federal Association for Sauna Construction, Infra-red and Steam Baths / (Bundesfachverband Saunabau, Infrarot- und Dampfbad) in collaboration with Koelnmesse, this year focussed the key themes “Energy Efficiency and Sustainability” and “Safety and Technology”. A third complex concerned itself with the special theme “40 Years of Stainless Steel Pools”. In particular the explanations on the new European safety norm EN 15288 met with great interest, as the participants had the opportunity to discuss the standard, which defines new safety requirements for the planning and operation of public-access swimming pools, with its creators.

World's largest synthetic turf exhibition

In the sports facility section the theme of synthetic turf played a key role, because the world's largest synthetic turf exhibition was held within FSB. “We are very satisfied with business at the fair”, said Albert Prisse, Secretary-General of the European Synthetic Turf Organisation (ESTO). “We not only had a very large number, but also very interesting international contacts. In particular the concept of the ESTO members’ joint, spacious presentation in Hall 11.3 clearly proved itself.” The premiere of the Synthetic Turf Forum organized by ESTO and the IAKS was a complete success: In 19 sessions and the IAKS special conference entitled “Municipalities and Sport”, sector experts from FIFA, the Synthetic Turf Council, the Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA) along with representatives from the sector’s leading players presented and discussed the requirements, latest trends and best-Practice examples covering all aspects of the synthetic turf theme in front of an audience of around 500 visitors.

Prize award ceremony for the “2020 Basketball Arena”, the FIBA/IAKS competition for architecture students

In connection with FSB’s official opening ceremony, the official prize award ceremony for the “2020 Basketball Arena” architecture competition organized jointly by FIBA and the IAKS was held on 28th October 2009.

The prizes were presented by the former Secretary General of FIBA, Borislav Stankovic, and by Aldo Vitale, Head of the FIBA Study Centre. A further celebration combined with the official opening of the exhibition of the prize-winning designs took place in the FIBA Village in the afternoon.

The competition was held for the second time after 2001, with support from the Molten, Champion, Mondo and Senoh companies.

The stated aim of the competition was to generate visions for an 8,000- to 10,000-seat multifunctional basketball arena of the future on a site in Copenhagen’s port district. The points assessed were the idea, originality, the multifunctional approach, the sustainability of the usage strategy and the presentation itself.

In September, an international jury came together at Dresden’s Technical University to select the winners. These included its chairman Prof. Ulrich Findeisen (Cologne University), Aldo Vitale (FIBA), Johannes Bühlbecker (IAKS) and Prof. Karsten Lorenzen (Technical University of Dresden). The prizes were awarded as follows:

1st Prize: SPORTSPARK NORDHAVNEN
by Kai Niepel and Lieven Schulz, University of Dresden

2nd Prize: VIEWPOINT VENUE
by Samuel Schöne, University of Dresden

3rd Prize: TOUCH
by Daniel Burgos, University of Dresden

Three further commendations went to:

ARENAUTICA
by Johanna Röpke, University of Dresden

DYNAMIC SCRAP MOVEMENT
by Falko Klotz, University of Dresden

BASKETBALL ARENA
by Kata Homoki, Murat Mülayimoglu, University of Kassel

“I am very gratified that we have again succeeded in holding this competition with institutions of the international sports world such as FIBA and the IAKS at the interface between design and practice,” said co-initiator and jury member Professor Joppien from the Technical University of Dresden in his address of appreciation delivered to the participants. “And I’m proud of the enthusiasm and innovative ideas of our students.”

All the prize-winning designs of the FIBA/IAKS competition were exhibited at a special show at the FIBA Village and presented in a special publication.

Your next FSB in 2011

The next FSB, International Trade Fair for Amenity Areas, Sports and Pool Facilities as well as the next IAKS Congress will take place from Wednesday, 26th to Friday, 28th October 2011 at almost the same time with the subject related aquanale, International Trade Fair for Sauna.Pool.Ambience (26th to 29th October 2011).