The first day of ISPO, as the opening bell sounded,visitors could walk right up to the badge polizei and stroll through theturnstiles into the show. Yes, traffic was better Sunday when the local shopswere closed, but the vast majority of ISPO visitors now are local. It’s a farcry from the 1990s when ISPO and The Super Show had throngs of internationalbuyers chomping at the bit to get in.

This is less the result of the show promoters, whoafterall knock themselves out for a high buzz, international event, than it isof the large exhibitors, who are given to asking questions like, “Why ... Log in to view full article.