Every year in January, the world's home textile industry gathers in Germany for an event at the Messe Frankfurt GmbH exhibition center. This year's Heimtextil, the International Trade Fair for Home and Contract Textiles, will open its gates Jan. 9-12, 2008. Most of the global producers, wholesalers and retailers, as well as interior architects, designers and decorators will be in Frankfurt am Main for the fair.
Impressive Figures
Last year, 2,863 exhibitors from 68 countries participated in Heimtextil, the biggest event for the home textiles trade around the globe. Fifty-nine percent of visitors came from Europe, and some 37 percent came from Asia. The visitor side is also characterized by a high degree of internationality, combined with a high level of buying authority. The almost 86,000 visitors came from 127 countries. Sixty-nine percent of visitors hold executive or managerial positions in the trade, sales, export, industry and purchasing fields; and are authorized to make purchasing decisions on behalf of their companies.
Optimized Structure
Heimtextil 2008 is said to be distinguished by an improved structure for the range of premium home and household textiles, as well as by several special shows and events that will reveal the latest trends and give young designers the chance to present their ideas. So that visitors can better find their way around the broad spectrum of products to be seen, the hall structure of Heimtextil 2008 has been optimized and adapted to visitor needs. Additionally, simplified names for the product groups — such as sleep and dream, which is now known as bed; and fresh and splash, which is now known as bath — will make orientation even easier.
"The show will be embedding the subjects and innovations of the home textiles sector in a concept full of highlights," said Olaf Schmidt, vice president, Textile Fairs, Messe Frankfurt. "The concept has generated a positive echo on the exhibitor side. Just before the start of the exhibition, one can say said that the number of exhibitors will be comparable to last year's total."
Revised Product Presentation
A cornerstone of the forthcoming Heimtextil will be — analogously to the premium segment for household textiles — the revised product presentation for home textiles based on the "More" concept. The aim of this concept is to create greater transparency at the fair and offer easier access to the range of products. This year, visitors will find manufacturers of premium textile furnishings under the heading "More." For the first time, Heimtextil 2008 will also provide an exclusive forum for producers and suppliers of high-grade home textiles.
"More Clarity" and "More Style" put the focus on household textiles from the bed, bath and table segments. In Hall 9.1, in which "More Clarity" is to be located, European textile manufacturers of classic designs, some of which work with small, exclusive batches, will present their top products. "More Style", which is to be located in Hall 9.2, will bring together international brands with fashion- and trend-oriented designs.
Merging The Indoor And Outdoor Areas
The "Outside In" special show in Hall 3.1 will showcase extravagant home textiles as part of a modern urban villa and garden at Heimtextil. In this area, the show takes up the current architectural trend towards merging the indoor and outdoor areas of the home. Three cubes will house the sleeping, living and dining sections of the home. A fourth cube will contain a bar and catering facilities. Visitors will be able to stroll on a small boulevard through the area. Small, wooden gangplanks will lead to the themed cubes. Tables with benches will be embedded in the lawns to provide an opportunity to sit and rest for a while.
Have a splendid 2008. See you in Frankfurt am Main.
