International Mountain Summit
The IMS hosts and organisers
The International Mountain Summit (IMS) from 3 to 9 November will be a unique and exciting event for mountain fans of all kinds in Bressanone/Brixen. The editor-in-chief of the German magazine BERGSTEIGER, which is also the IMS media partner, has interviewed the organisers about the content of the event, what ideas led to it and what visitors can expect to find.
What made you want to initiate an event like the International Mountain Summit?
Alex Ploner: We simply wanted to organise an authentic and attractive event for an international public. After long talks and an extensive exchange of ideas, we came across the topic "mountains" and were quite surprised to find out that there are currently no events in South Tyrol dedicated to mountains and alpine sports.
Markus Gaiser: Together with Alex Ploner we refined the idea of a mountaineering convention in many working session. After talking to insiders like Reinhold Messner and several experts from the tourism and marketing sectors we soon found out that we were on the right way to realise a unique event idea. We received a lot of positive feedback, which motivated us to further develop the idea and plan the convention on a yearly basis, with a view to an enduring, sustained success.
Which ideas and objectives are behind the IMS?
Alex Ploner: What's most important to us is that the IMS is an exciting experience for every visitor. Many people will come to South Tyrol especially for the IMS, so we want to offer them a chance to meet the most famous mountaineers of our times and really get face to face with them. That's why we have thought of the »Walk and Talk« activities, where our visitors get the opportunity to go hiking with the pros. The extreme mountaineers' and climbers' presentations and talks will also take place in a whole new setting and form - we want to surprise our visitors with brand-new video and audio effects never before used in such a summit.
Markus Gaiser: Our vision is to turn the IMS into an international platform of information, communication and presentation dedicated to everything about mountains and alpine sports - and of course into a real hot spot for mountain fans. We also want to contribute something valuable to our region, South Tyrol. So far, this topic has not been covered by any of the events organised in South Tyrol. With the IMS, we want to create an authentic and attractive occasion for exchange aimed at marketing South Tyrol on an international level. South Tyrol is the ideal place for an international "summit" of this kind: we have a long-standing mountaineering tradition, some of the most important mountaineers and climbers world-wide and the Dolomites, which will soon be declared a World Heritage Site.
Which target audience are you aiming at with the IMS?
Alex Ploner: Well, the best thing about the mountains is that they touch and fascinate people all of ages: Just think of the enthusiasm with which children and young people go about bouldering and rock climbing. Take Germany, for example: statistics say that 8 millions of Germans go hiking at least once a month. Besides, millions of visitors come to South Tyrol every year - You see, the mountains magically attract people. My parents for example, who are both retired, pass their free time skiing in winter and mountain biking in the summer. This way they can enjoy the mountains in all their many facets. Our target audience includes all ages: from children to retired persons. That's why we have invited professionals whose biggest achievements lie in the past together with those who are celebrating their major successes right now and mountaineers of a new, promising generation who have a bright future ahead.
Reinhold Messner is one of the ideators of the IMS. Which function does he fulfil for the event?
Markus Gaiser: Reinhold Messner is sort of our guarantor: Thanks to him, the local politicians and the regional government are taking us seriously - because he approves of the IMS. He didn't have anything to do with the idea or organisation of the IMS, but he will take part in various scheduled events and contribute as a speaker like all other top mountaineers.
Alex Ploner: Reinhold Messner is no doubt the most famous and in my opinion the most fascinating mountaineer of our times. His achievements are as impressive as he is as a person. We have found out that, already back in 2000 in the base camp of an eight-thousander, he and Hans-Peter Eisendle had the idea to organise a similar mountaineering event. In South Tyrol, he has opened many doors for us and supported the idea of the IMS from the very beginning. We have a lot to thank him for. The organisation however, and with it all the responsibility, lies in our hands alone. Reinhold Messner will be a guest at the IMS, like all other moutaineers and climbers. Of course it is an honour for us that he promotes the IMS at his own public appearances. In fact, all of our guests have been promoting the event and we would like to thank them for their support.
You have invited a number of top-class mountaineers and climbers to the IMS. Apart from the successful marketing effect of these high-class names, what do you expect of their presence?
Markus Gaiser: In all of Europe, there is hardly any event where such extreme mountaineers meet, exchange views or experiences and take part in a large discussion round. And it is highly interesting that most top-class mountaineers don't know each other personally. Some of them have moved or even cancelled already confirmed commitments at other events, which shows us that they are very interested indeed in the IMS. We really hope for a comprehensive discussion and a lot of exchange on the central topic - the mountains - between our guests, mountains fans, the expert public and the media.
Alex Ploner: For us it is a great honour to be able to invite so many promising names from the international mountaineering scene - and of course to welcome and meet them in November. Although they are strong individualists, all of our guests have been extremely cooperative and uncomplicated. I am really looking forward to a lively discussion with and between them. We definitely expect them to take the IMS as an opportunity to talk about issues which are important to them, because a lot of people see extreme athletes as their role models and therefore listen to them. Of course we also hope that the IMS attracts many fans and the media, and for many interesting talks between the participants.
The IMS is an event for all mountain fans - will there be a chance to rub shoulders with the stars?
Alex Ploner: Of course! The schedule absolutely favours encounters: our visitors can go hiking with the stars or meet them during what we have called warming down in one of the many pubs and bars in Bressanone/Brixen after the presentations and talks. We have also planned an autograph signing session, discussion rounds and a big party on Saturday. You might even be able to spot one or two élite mountaineers on the dance floor - we'll see…
You must have a number of partners who help you "climb" the IMS summit - who are they?
Markus Gaiser: Of course we do; you don't go anywhere without partners. The regional government is very interested in the event, and we get a great deal of support form local politicians, who have declared the IMS a leading event. The local administration of the town where it will take place, Bressanone/Brixen, is also our patron. Both have been helping us a lot financially. The Südtirol Marketing Gesellschaft supports our public relations work. We'd also like to work closely with the alpine sport clubs both on a local and international level and offer them a sort of platform for communication.
A whole week of mountain-related entertainment is a lot. Which events on the schedule are the pillars of the IMS?
Alex Ploner: That's something everyone has to decide for themselves. There will be quite a difference in priorities between, for example, young mountain fans, representatives of alpine clubs, politicians, the media and extreme moutaineers or climbers. What is important to us is that everyone takes home an unforgettable experience from the IMS. In order to achieve this ambitious objective, we will keep investing a lot of time and money.
Markus Gaiser: The so-called Icons debate on the opening day is definitely going to be one of the highlights of the IMS. It will be a meeting of some of the most important extreme moutaineers who have marked the development of mountaineering in the last 20 years. The presenter, Ernst Vogt from the German public broadcasting authority Bayerischer Rundfunk, is sure to raise both hot topics and issues which are important for the mountaineering culture. The »Walk & Talk« activities, where visitors can hike together with the invited mountaineers, are another interesting event on the schedule. And not to forget the presentations of élite moutaineers or climbers like Reinhold Messner, Hans Kammerlander, Alexander Huber, Ines Papert, Steve House or Lynn Hill! There will also be a meeting of the ArgeAlp (Working Group of the Alpine Regions) at the occasion of the IMS. And we would welcome an international convention of the Club Arc Alpin (umbrella association of all mountain sports clubs in the Alpine region) member associations in Bressanone/Brixen. But what counts most is that everybody - guests and visitors alike - are satisfied and leave the IMS with a rucksack full of unforgettable experiences.
