Wits high level of internationality, innovative presentation of new products and increasing visitor figures, the imm cologne was a thoroughly convincing event this year.
However, that’s no reason for Vice President Trade Fair Management Frank Haubold and his team to take things easy. Which is why, months before the coming Cologne furnishing show in January 2014, the fine-tuning of the concept for the Pure, Sleep and Comfort segments is in full swing.
As the saying goes, when one show ends, the next one starts – and July marks the halfway point to the next edition of the imm cologne. Taking stock of the trade fair that took in January, everyone at Koelnmesse is in agreement. “The imm cologne was more successful than ever before. We had over 140,000 visitors and considerably increased our internationality by 13% on the trade visitor days. As a trade fair location, Cologne thus continues to be the gathering place for the global furnishing industry and, for many exhibitors and visitors, a gateway to the east as well,” says Frank Haubold, Vice President Trade Fair Management. “As for the next edition in four months, we’ve set ourselves the goal of honing the profile of certain segments.”
A look at the imm cologne from its beginnings until the present day shows that it has increasingly differentiated itself as an impetus-generating furnishing show where business nevertheless takes center stage. Cologne isn’t just about looking and touching – it’s very much about placing orders as well. A convincing argument for exhibitors: even at this early stage, confirmed bookings have already been received for about 80% of the space available. And Koelnmesse is delivering further arguments in the form of its ongoing strategic development of various segments.
In January 2014, the design trail consisting of Pure, Pure Editions and Pure Village will be extended with the addition of the Pure Elegance format for the luxurious high-end market. In Hall 1, D3 Design Talents will provide an enlarged dedicated area for up-andcoming designers. When it comes to design, the imm cologne thus provides an extremely good overview that ranges from established and distinguished brands all the way to experimental and totally new design approaches.
The imm cologne’s Sleep segment also makes it the most important trade fair for the German and European mattress industry. It thus comes as no surprise that, six months before the show begins, there are bottlenecks in Hall 9: even at this early stage, the hall is already booked out. The trade fair team, together with the German Mattress Industry Association (Fachverband Matratzenindustrie e. V.), has therefore decided to add Hall 5.2, thereby considerably increasing the space allocated to this segment.
The Comfort segment in Hall 10.2 can also look forward to some exciting changes. Under the supervision of Creative Director Dick Spierenburg, the concept is being significantly revised in order to increase visitor volume. The hall is being given a visual “facelift”, a boulevard and a special exhibition, all designed to invigorate and enhance this segment of the fair.
In 2014 LivingInteriors, the event for bathrooms, flooring, wall coverings and lighting, will be opening its doors for the second time. Even now, bookings from exhibitors indicate the high level of acceptance the new format meets with from the industry. The trade show, which alternates with LivingKitchen, is a further sign of the impressive and comprehensive furnishing and interior design expertise that confirms the imm cologne’s reputation as the ideas engine of the furniture industry.