Outdoor China, the Shanghai-based trade show organized by Messe Frankfurt in cooperation with China Outdoor Commerce Alliance (COCA), the Chinese industry organization, said that there will be no show this year. The combined trade and consumer show was originally scheduled for July 5-7 at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre. However, there are plans to have the second edition of Outdoor China next summer. The official reasons given for the cancellation by the organizers were “unexpected circumstances,” meaning that “there is no other suitable venue available during this crucial sourcing period for the outdoor industry.” Regretting the decision, COCA wants to concentrate on promoting outdoor sports in China through youth programs, climbing competitions, seminars and conferences throughout 2012. Market observers guess, however, that the unexpected circumstances may not be the only reason Messe Frankfurt is taking a break this year: In times when China's economy is cooling down a little bit, some exhibitors do not see important reasons to invest in a third outdoor or outdoor-dominated show in the country, besides the already well-established Ispo Beijing in winter, organized by Messe München, and Asia Outdoor in Nanjing, supported by Messe Friedrichshafen. The Shanghai event would have been held just about three weeks before the trade show in Nanjing.

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