IWA 2024: What do the exhibitors and experts say

The anniversary edition of the IWA OutdoorClassics was a complete success. The high number of visitors, the internationality, and the inspiring atmosphere of conversations were positively perceived by the participating companies. Read below some voices from experts and exhibitors of the IWA OutdoorClassics 2024.

Thomas Kind-Lundt, Assistant Managing Director at AKAH 

“We draw a positive conclusion from the IWA OutdoorClassics 2024. We were pleased to notice a larger number of visitors at our booth. While we are currently experiencing some restraint in export business, our worst fears have not materialized. For next year, we are considering significantly expanding our booth to be able to present more of our representations to the trade audience.” 

Rudolf Alberts, Management Manfred Alberts 

“Once again, it was a great pleasure for us to participate in the European leading trade fair of our industry. Despite the warnings beforehand, the 50th IWA was a complete success! The focus for us was on the German specialty retail trade. Not only did the personal exchange and information transfer confirm this, but also very good sales. We thank our customers for their numerous visits. Internationally, many distributor colleagues also confirmed to us that the IWA is the world's leading trade fair with the best conversation atmosphere.” 

Thorsten Kortemeier, Managing Director Noblex E-Optics 

“At the Noblex E-Optics booth, we experienced a significant increase in visitor frequency compared to previous years. Our expanded range generated great interest, and we are pleased with the positive feedback we received from visitors. Additionally, we had the opportunity to have numerous international appointments with retailers and representatives. The positive atmosphere at the fair was palpable and is beneficial to the industry.” 

Ralf Müller, Head of Marketing & Sales Krieghoff 

“Despite some changes over the last five decades, the IWA remains of immeasurable value to Krieghoff. It allows us to personally connect with our long-standing international business partners and nurture relationships. Our participation in the 50th IWA – and we have been exhibitors at every one – was extremely successful and once again underscored the importance of this event for our company. Through intensive conversations and productive meetings, we were able to strengthen our partnerships and establish new ones. The IWA remains a key pillar of our business strategy, and we look forward to the coming years of collaboration on this significant platform.” 

Hendrik Ayrus, Managing Director PUMA Knives 

“The IWA 2024 was a great success for PUMA. We were able to gain new international customers and present our products to a wide audience. Particularly gratifying was winning the IWA KNIFE AWARD 2024 for first place in the 'Classic' category with our legendary PUMA 'White Hunter'. It was impressive to see the Solingen knife makers dominate the podium together in this category and continue the long tradition of quality 'made in Solingen'. At this point, I would also like to congratulate Otter-Messer for second place and Windmühlenmesser for third place! We are proud to have been honored by the IWA as an exhibitor pioneer, as we have been continuously attending the fair for 50 years. In addition to this milestone, we are also celebrating our own 255th anniversary this year, with many surprises. This year, the IWA certainly proved itself worthy of its 50th anniversary and impressed us with an unprecedented exhibitor party. We look forward to future innovations and partnerships at the upcoming IWA!” 

Christopher Mijal, Managing Director Waimex 

“After four successful days at the IWA OutdoorClassics 2024, we can draw a positive conclusion. In this special year, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the IWA, the fair once again proved to be an indispensable platform and pulsating heart of the hunting and sports firearms industry. The recurring discussion about the relevance of the IWA is absolutely incomprehensible to us. Our booth experienced an impressive number of visitors, which not only underscores the enduring fascination and passion for hunting, shooting sports, optics, and outdoor accessories but also the high interest in our latest products and innovations. The feedback we received was consistently positive and reflects the importance of the IWA as the leading trade fair in our industry.” 

Bodo Berger, Managing Director Brenneke  

“Brenneke congratulates the IWA on its 50th anniversary and praises the successful execution of the world's largest hunting and shooting sports fair. Despite initial skepticism due to the relocation from Hall 7 to Hall 3, participation proved to be successful, with many visitors and new contacts. The fair serves as a platform for customer interaction and business development, right on our doorstep. Although the costs of the fair are high, Brenneke sees the benefits as justified. (...) Despite economic challenges, the company feels positive signals at the IWA, giving confidence for the future.” 

Ingo Meinhard, Managing Director Association of German Gunsmiths and Firearms Dealers e.V.  

“For the VDB, the IWA OutdoorClassics 2024 was one of the most beautiful and successful in the 50-year history of the fair. This was partly due to the double anniversary this year: 75 years of VDB and 50 years of IWA – there was much to celebrate, and the fair clearly knows how to throw stylish parties! On the IWA Saturday, at our anniversary celebration with 300 invited guests, we looked back on 75 years of association activities. It was moving to hear how tirelessly the VDB has stood up for the interests of firearms dealers in Germany from the very beginning – since 1949. The appreciation from our members and supporting members was palpable at our VDB booth: we were overwhelmed by the number and warmth of around 3,000 visitors who confirmed with their thanks for our work that we are on the right path. These personal encounters and conversations, which were beneficial for all of us, our employees as well as the executive board, strengthen the sense of community in our industry: that is the IWA spirit!” 

Christoph Daim, Knife Maker and Moderator 

"How was the IWA 2024? Apart from the fact that I don't have an overall impression, as I was only in Hall 5 and at the BLADE DEMO Area, the atmosphere during the IWA seemed very good to me and the anniversary sparkling wine at the reception naturally set standards. But back to the knife focus, Hall 5: Since the BLADE DEMO Area has established itself, the IWA seems to be developing into one of the most important international meeting points in the industry, not only in Germany, alongside KNIFE in Solingen. Of course, KNIFE is a consumer fair, while IWA is a pure B2B event and will remain so. But with the BLADE Demo Area and the Knife Award, this hall has gained a new center, which, not least due to the presence of smaller partner companies and numerous knife designers at the "Knife Lounge," allows for more encounters and networking than before. Undeniably, the highlight is the award ceremony, but the diverse stage program is also very well received by manufacturers and visitors."

Stefan Schilling, Managing Director EAW 

"As Managing Director of EAW, I would like to express my solidarity and pride in our 50-year partnership with the IWA OutdoorClassics. This long-standing cooperation reflects our commitment and passion for the industry, and we look forward to the next 50 years. We are extremely pleased with the response to our stand, both in terms of visitor numbers and their quality. We are particularly pleased that we were able to welcome many new international customers to our stand."

Martin Limper, Sales Department German Sport Guns 

"The anniversary IWA in Nuremberg was a great success for GSG with many interesting conversations and great people. The world is a guest on short paths, and we were able to present attractive new products in various areas to our partners."

Dr. Moritz Fehrer, Managing Director Recknagel 

"50 years of IWA in Nuremberg is an impressive achievement. The IWA OutdoorClassics is our most important fair in the calendar year. Every year in spring, dealers from all over the world meet in Nuremberg to exchange ideas and inform each other about news. But the IWA is so much more, it is also a big family or at least class reunion in which we can discuss relevant topics from business, politics, and production. For us, it is clear that we will stick to the IWA and we are already looking forward to the coming year."

Klaus Hoffmann, Managing Director KH Security 

"We thank our customers for their numerous visits to the fair, their interest in our new products, and the orders placed. It was really fun for us to be able to present our entire range at the same location, especially after the severely restricted years during Corona. (...) We are happy to be back in the same place next year and celebrate our 35th anniversary."

Gerd Walther, Managing Director Lothar Walther

"We were very satisfied with the visitor turnout at our booth in Hall 3A at the IWA 2024. Even on the otherwise always somewhat quiet last day of the fair, we still had interesting conversations. Especially the subsonic calibers such as 300 AAC or - completely new - .338 Blackout were of interest to many customers from home and abroad. Whether firearms companies or gunsmiths, almost all of them found their way to us at the booth, and we were able to take many new suggestions from the manufacturers and inform our customers about everything new at Lothar Walther. (...)"

Ralf Balzar, Head of Brand Management & Marketing DACH Night Pearl Sport Optics

"The anniversary IWA 2024 was one of the cornerstones of our trade fair season this year. The lively and constructive exchange with old and new international partners is more important than ever for us as part of the global IWA family and was very successful this year too! Nevertheless, it also became clear that the industry and the fair are undergoing a change. We should definitely and collectively use the coming months for a constructive dialogue so that the IWA can continue to exist successfully for another 50 years!"

Save the date: IWA OutdoorClassics 2025

The IWA OutdoorClassics will take place next year from 27.02.-02.03. at the Nuremberg Exhibition Center.

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