FESI elects new president
The Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) held its 2025 General Assembly in Brussels on December 10.
At the meeting, representatives elected Michael Nendwich of VSSÖ, the Austrian Association of Sporting Goods Producers and Retailers, as the new FESI president.
Mr Nendwich said he thought the sporting goods industry had reached “a pivotal moment”. He explained that change to the business environment was taking place “at unprecedented speed”, with e-commerce reshaping retail and global trade uncertainty increasing.
But he added: “I am confident FESI can guide our industry through these transformations and ensure that innovation, competitiveness and the positive power of sport remain at the heart of Europe’s future.”
European Commissioner for culture and sport, Glenn Micallef, also attended the meeting. In comments he made to the group, Mr Micallef said: “Today in the EU, more than 45% of people never exercise. This figure has risen by six percentage points since 2009. This makes our sport community’s work to encourage people to get moving more important than ever. The sporting goods industry plays a crucial role.”
