Chinese winter sports industry is one of the fastest growing in the world, with a market size expected to realise the target of 1 trillion Chinese yuan by 2025. This trend can be observed from the World Winter Sports Expo in Beijing which in 2019 and 2020 gathered more than 600 domestic and foreign ice and snow enterprises. Moreover, the government-led development plan, the Winter Sports Development Plan (2016-2025), aims to promote the practice of winter sports among the Chinese population, expand winter sports infrastructure, and involve 300 million new consumers by 2025. This is an opportunity for local and foreign winter sports industry professionals and investors.
Winter sports in general have quickly gained in popularity in China over the last two decades, and the proximity of the 2022 Chinese Winter Olympics pushed this trend even further. Xinhua news reported that as of January 2022, China surpassed its national goal of having 300 million winter sports participants. China is projected to become the largest winter sports market, with people participating expected to reach 50 million by 2025 with 1,000 ski resorts to be open by 2030. The younger generations are expected to ride the booming winter sports industry, which will likely result in 57 million skier visits in China in 2030, compared with 21.54 million in 2021, according to the China Ski Industry White Paper, complied by Beijing Xuebang Xueye Management Co.
Following an adjustment of the COVID-19 policies at the end of 2022, China has seen rapid development in its winter sports tourism. From January 2023, China has scrapped quarantine for international travellers, marking the last major shift from the country’s zero-COVID policy. After almost three years of closed borders, this will reopen the border to those with work and study visas, lighting a path for deeper international cooperation. Facing this important historical turning point, it is necessary for winter sports companies to review their business performance, evaluate current market strategies according to the new Chinese market situation in the post-COVID & Olympics era and make new plans and projections for the upcoming year.
Agenda:
Part 1 – 14:00- 15:00 pm
- Offline Networking
- Opening Remarks from European Chamber representative
- Keynote Speech on ‘Updates and Development of China Ski Industry’, by Mr Benny Wu
- Q&A
Part2 – 15:00-15:30 pm
- Candidate Speeches and introduction
- Chairs Elections
Speaker
Mr Wu Bin is the Founder and CEO of Beijing SNOWPAL Resort Management Co., Ltd., author of the China Ski Industry White Book, editor-in-chief of Ice and Snow Blue Book, vice chairman of the Beijing Ski Association, and distinguished expert lecturer at Beijing Sport University.
Before he founded Snowpal, Mr Wu had been the President of Carving Ski Group, Chief Strategy Officer of Vanke Group Ice and Snow Division, Deputy General Manager of Golf & Ice and Snow Department of Beijing Wanda Cultural Industry Group Operation Center, General Manager of Jilin Beidahu Ski Resort, General Manager of Hebei Chongli Duolemedi Ski Resort, Marketing Director of Italian Tecnica Group China (Beijing) Company, Executive Director of Beijing Snowfavor Sporting Goods Co., Ltd., etc. He has been committed to promoting the development of the domestic ski industry for a long time and has done in-depth research on the international and domestic ski industry.
Chair Election:
The Sports Forum Chair and Vice Chairs play a crucial role in driving the Forum. The responsibilities of Chairpersons include taking a leading role in communicating key messages to the Chinese and European governments and steering Working Group meetings. The required characteristics of a Chair and Vice Chair are a senior industry representative with relevant industry expertise and government contacts who has the time and willingness to support the group. Previous participation in the Working Group is essential.
According to the European Chamber's internal best practices intended to promote new strategies and approaches for the operation of the group, the European Chamber recommends that a Chairperson should not exceed three years in his/her role and highly encourages all members interested in taking a leading role to put their name forward for election. Should you be interested in putting yourself forward for candidacy for election, please first read the attached document which outlines the roles and responsibilities of a Chairperson. Candidates running for the role of Chair, if not successfully elected, can opt to be included as a candidate for Vice Chair. For the Sports Forum, it is possible to have at most one Chair and two Vice Chairs.
If you are interested in running for the position, to apply, each prospective candidate should submit a short bio and a motivation letter(covering the points below) prior to the election to Ms. Tiantian Qi at tqi@europeanchamber.com.cn by Monday, 3rd April 4pm. In the email, please clearly state whether you intend to run for the position of Chair or Vice Chair.
• Short resume/CV
• Motivation letter on why you wish to be elected Chair or Vice Chair, including:
- The position you are planning on running.
- Why you wish to be elected Chair or Vice Chair.
- How your background and experience match the role.
- The goals you have for the Working Group for the following 12 months.
- How you intend to utilize or share professional resources for the benefit of the working group.
- Whether you hold a position in another Chamber or industry association.
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For more information on the Sports Forum or the European Chamber, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Qi Tiantian at tqi@europeanchamber.com.cn.
