THE INTERNATIONAL CONNECTION
The world’s largest trade show on floorcoverings takes place every January in Hannover. We catch up with Sonia Wedell-Castellano, Global
Director of DOMOTEX, to find out what’s in store for 2020.
As Global Director of DOMOTEX, you took over responsibility for the show just over a year ago. What have you been able to accomplish so far?
In rapid response to the wishes voiced by our exhibitors and visitors, we have opted for changes in the fair’s layout. Previously, premium suppliers were located in the immediate vicinity of the special Framing Trends showcase. They will now go back to their traditional market environments, in their respective halls. For visitors, this means shorter distances and easier on-site orientation. We are also addressing our target visitors in an even more differentiated and direct way.
Nearly 97,000 square meters of space have already been sold for DOMOTEX 2020. Who are some of the more interesting exhibitors that visitors can look forward to at the event?
With some 1,500 exhibitors anticipated, the list is already quite long, so I’ll only mention a few: Rug Star by Jürgen Dahlmanns, Naziri, Creative Matters, Galleria Battilossi, Rica Basagoiti will be showing in the handmade carpets segment. In the category of machine-woven carpets we are looking forward to Oriental Weavers, Carmel Carpet, Royal Hali, Prado Egypt, Stefany and Reinkemeier. US Floors, Windmöller, Moderna (MeisterWerke) and IVC will be exhibiting their resilient floorcoverings, while ter Hürne, Decospan, BIMBO, SWISS KRONO and Forestry Timber will be presenting parquet, wood and laminate flooring. The manufacturers of installation technologies include Mapei, Selit, Välinge, Unifloor, Uzin Utz and Küberit.
What is the ratio of domestic to foreign exhibitors?
Of all Deutsche Messe events, DOMOTEX is by far the most international. This applies to exhibitors and visitors, alike. German exhibitors account for some 12% of display space, with the international share consequently running at 88%. This is naturally quite an achievement for the world’s leading marketplace for floorcoverings and carpets. That said, we also aim to expand our exhibitor line-up by attracting more exhibitors from Germany and the rest of Europe.
As a result of the changes made to the show’s layout plan, Hall 8 will now be devoted entirely to the Framing Trends display. What can visitors expect to see there – and what’s new?
Hall 8 will star as the pulsating, emotive heart of the event, with visitors being welcomed and wowed by a large textile horizon showing projections of atmospheric images.
Our new lead theme of ATMYSPHERE will address how floors can improve our sense of wellbeing. In a series of Frames, we’ll be showing the contribution that a floor’s appearance makes to the overall atmosphere, how its texture dampens noise and how ecological production techniques make for a healthier indoor climate. Manufacturers, artists, universities
30 | DOMOTEX PREVIEW
and, for the first time, start-ups will take up these and numerous other characteristics to create soothing, personal worlds of experience via their creative approach.
Our partner agency, Schmidhuber. will be staging four pavilions consisting of furnished themed rooms, so as to make the lead theme even more tangible. Hotel – Sustainable, for example, illustrates the impact of materials and furniture, including acoustic paneling in a hotel room. Wellness – Green Living emphasises health-promoting and environmentally-friendly aspects. Conference – More than Floor focuses on acoustic solutions, going all the way to upholstered seating landscapes, while Health – Wellbeing features a yoga room for relaxation.
In the space between these focal points, the advantages of outdoor floors and a flowing transition from indoors to outdoors will be highlighted. The aim is not only to provide inspiration to designers, architects and retailers, but also to illustrate concrete areas of application.
What do you see as the top USPs of DOMOTEX?
Here you can get an overview of the latest trends and developments in the international market and keep abreast of the latest developments. Manufacturers and buyers as well as partners, architects and designers from all over the world come together at DOMOTEX. New business relationships and cooperation opportunities are emerging that were hitherto inconceivable. The show attracts visitors of extremely high caliber, nearly 90% of whom play a decisive role in their companies’ buying decisions.
DOMOTEX 2020 takes place from 10 to 13 January in Hannover, Germany.
Hannover Exhibition Centre will be open to visitors from 9am – 6pm on those days. Tomorrow’s Contract Floors has partnered up with DOMOTEX to offer our readers a complimentary ticket to the event. Get yours here.
https://www.domotex.de/ticketregistration?CvmAy www.domotex.de
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50
