This year's Taiwan International Sporting Goods Show (TaiSPO) has generated business contracts worth US$9.83 million. Future deals are also expected to reach US$22.73 million. The sporting goods trade was held at the Taipei World Trade Center Nangang Exhibition Hall in Taipei from March 19 to 22, 2009.

The exhibition reportedly drew a total of 2,573 buyers from over 70 countries. Over 300 local and international exhibitors set up more than 1,500 booths. This year's figure reportedly went down 2% from last year. However, observers said that the show has accomplished more than its counterparts across the region. Moreover, TaiSPO's staging two days after the four-day TAIPEI CYCLE show pleased the buyers who mingled with sports and cycle suppliers. Suppliers and buyers held on-site talks where over a hundred companies participated to discuss specifications and price levels. Major international buyers included Icon Health & Fitness, Deportes Marti, Flaman Fitness, Cosco India, CJ Home Shopping, Al Khayat General Trading and Transmark Corporation Sdn. Bhd.

The largest buyer representation by country was from Japan at 14%, followed by Korea at 11%, China at 10%, the U.S. at 9%, and Hong Kong at 5%. Buyers from other countries included Australia, India, Germany, Canada, Malaysia, the Philippines and the U.K.

The show featured various themes where winners of the so-called TaiSPO All Stars Innovation's Stage of Excellence and the Innovative Design Competition in Sports Technology were displayed. Smart Dumbbells, a music-integrated dumbbell, wowed the visitors.

TaiSPO 2009 also held seminars prepared by the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry. Topics included product safety legislation on Brazil and Europe's sporting equipment markets, and environmental protection pre-requisites on material and product designs. These seminars provided Taiwanese manufacturers with ideas to boost product quality, straight from European sellers. The talks also aided manufacturers to be updated with the overseas markets.

The show has been jointly organized by Taiwan External Trade Development Council, Taiwan Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, and Taipei Sporting Goods Association. TaiSPO 2010 will be staged from March 18 to 21, 2010.