Member's News
No.40
January 2004
 
    

International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities

18th IAKS Congress attended by over 400 specialists from 34 countries
Attendance up 30% over 2001



The 18th International IAKS Congress took place in Cologne from 5th to 7th November 2003. The IAKS Congress, traditionally held to coincide with FSB – International Trade Fair for Amenity Areas, Sports and Leisure Facilities, proved this year to be a real crowd-puller: Over 400 participants from all five continents came to Cologne to find out about the current trends, prospects and opportunities in sports facility development.
During the opening ceremony for FSB and the IAKS Congress, this year's IOC/IAKS AWARD for Exemplary Sports and Leisure Facilities was presented.
The main Congress covered five general topics:
  • Sports facilities for the Olympics
  • 2006 Soccer World Cup in Germany
  • Sustainable and future-oriented sports facilities
  • New open spaces for sport in the urban setting
  • The future of swimming pools – A task for local authorities or a source of commercial leisure and wellness?
Further current issues were spoken on and discussed during four parallel events:
  • Sports facilities suitable for the disabled
  • Development of the infrastructure required for large-scale sports events in North-Rhine/Westphalia
  • Municipal sports management between tradition and privatization
  • Developing Nations Forum: Provision of sports facility infrastructure
All the talks given at the Congress can be downloaded in PDF format from the IAKS website (www.iaks.info).
FSB also exceeded all expectations. 476 companies from 38 countries presented their latest products and innovations at FSB 2003. A total of about 13,000 trade visitors from 85 countries were recorded. About 55% of visitors came from abroad, which amounts to a 5% increase. Growth was registered in particular from neighbouring European countries and from Eastern Europe.


Internationale Vereinigung Sport- und
Freizeiteinrichtungen e.V. (IAKS)
Carl-Diem-Weg 3
D-50933 Köln
Tel. +49-(0)221-491 29 91
Fax +49-(0)221-497 12 80
E-Mail: iaks@iaks.info
www.iaks.info



http://www.icsspe.org/portal/bulletin-january2004.htm