“Sensational. It was our best interzum ever,” was the general consensus amongst exhibitors at the end of this year’s interzum. With 52,400 trade visitors from 147 countries, the leading international trade fair for the furniture supplier industry was able to announce growth of 13 percent as compared to the previous event in 2009. The internationality of the visitor structure, traditionally always high anyway, increased significantly this year with a plus of 24 percent.
“I’m absolutely thrilled. What’s been happening here over the last few days is incredible. For four days, the exhibitors have been showing what I can only describe as a firework display. The industry has been celebrating itself – with good reason,” concludes Frank Haubold, product manager of interzum and director of the imm cologne. “With this interzum, Koelnmesse has definitely underlined its position as a beacon for the furniture industry. I don’t believe there is any other trade fair venue in the world where three absolute leading events for the respective sectors take place so successfully, in such concentrated form and in such a brief space of time. We are creating precedents for an extremely promising future,” says a visibly satisfied Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse.
This year’s interzum was the international meeting point for the supplier industry. The mood was extremely good, exhibitors were able to make new contacts and boost business. And visitors had the opportunity to get a comprehensive overview of what the sector has to offer. There were sophisticated newly developed products on show in all segments.
More exhibitors, more visitors
In 2011, 1,434 companies exhibited at interzum. 378 of them came from Germany, 1,056 from abroad. Italy was the most strongly represented country, with 276 firms in Cologne, followed by Turkey with 88 companies. In total, these figures represent an increase of almost six percent as compared to the previous event (2009: 1356). The total exhibition space grew by eight percent and the leading international fair occupied ten halls – one hall more than in 2009. As in the past, it was mostly decision-makers who came to interzum, an important aspect repeatedly applauded by exhibitors. “It was a very good fair for us. The number of visitors was much higher than last time, and we’re very satisfied with the quality of the visitors as well. In our opinion, it was a first-rate interzum,” concludes Wolfgang Steib, executive board member at Hettich Holding GmbH & Co. oHG.
A total of 52,400 trade visitors (46,345 visitors in 2009) came to the Rhine metropolis. 17,900 visitors were from Germany, 34,500 came from 147 countries around the globe (approx. 66 percent). With 24 percent more foreign visitors, the event made significant gains in terms of internationality as compared to 2009. And it’s not just the exhibitors who are satisfied with the quantity and quality of the visitors. The visitors were equally enthusiastic about the comprehensive product spectrum on show in Cologne. “It was an extraordinary interzum! Great atmosphere, fantastic flair, attractive exhibitors with some very individual presentations, and some very interesting proposals for own idea pool,” commented one trade visitor from abroad.
Successful supporting programme
The supporting programme for this year’s fair was more extensive than ever before and went down extremely well with visitors. In particular, the second edition of “innovation of interior”, a forum for interior architects, tradesmen, architects, designers and developers, was a huge success. Together with Professor Hartmut A. Raiser and Antonius Quodt, Koelnmesse created a groundbreaking special exhibition on materials, finishes and lighting. Lectures, events such as the presentation of the VDID newcomer award, guided tours and theme days brought a lively and energetic feel to the exhibition area, which was equipped with display “cubes” for individual companies.
“In our opinion, the ‘innovation of interior’ concept is a great success. We were delighted to welcome so many visitors, principally architects, but lots of visitors from other target groups as well, and call their attention to our innovations. They included lots of new contacts for whom our presence in Hall 4.2 was the starting point before going to our booth in Hall 7 for more in-depth information,” concludes Julia Sohler, Marketing Communications Officer at Blum GmbH.
interzum award honours pioneering innovations
This years “interzum award: material innovations and design”, presented for the fifth time by Koelnmesse in collaboration with red dot, again honoured some of the industry’s most outstanding innovations. The top-notch jury awarded prizes to a total of 43 products, which were presented in their own special exhibition on the boulevard for the duration of the trade fair.
The next interzum will take place in two years:
interzum 2013
13 – 16 May 2013
28. May 2011
Categories: Awards, Business, Exhibitors, Innovation, interzum, Trends
Tags: architects, Blum GmbH, CEO, Cologne, designers, developers, Events, Frank Haubold, Gerald Böse, guided tours, Hettich Holding GmbH & Co. oHG, innovation of interior, innovations, interior architects, interzum, interzum 2011, interzum award, Julia Sohler, Koelnmesse GmbH, red dot, special exhibition, supporting programme, trade fair, trade show, trade visitors, tradesmen, VDID newcomer award, Wolfgang Steib
