The middle of the market benefits from the export opportunities provided by the leading trade fair
In just over four months, the trade fair duo of imm cologne/LivingKitchen (16 through 22 January 2017) will open its doors. With around 1,300 exhibitors from 50 countries across 270,000 square meters of gross exhibition space, the event in Cologne will once again present itself as “what is probably the biggest and most comprehensive furniture store in the world”. As always, the coming edition of imm cologne will also once again be a uniquely international showcase for the global interior design industry. Just short of 70% of the exhibitors will be coming from abroad, primarily from Europe. More than 110,000 industry insiders are expected on the trade visitor days. Even now, all of the signs are clearly indicating that the increased interest from abroad in imm cologne and LivingKitchen can be built on even further, thus providing long-lasting support for the exhibitors in their efforts to grow export sales. In addressing visitors, the focus is currently on Europe, North America and China.
In the words of Gerald Böse, President and Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse, imm cologne will once again present itself as a comprehensive interior design event that reflects entire product lines across all interiors segments and price categories for all sales channels currently in use.
Top international design will also once again be a focus of imm cologne in 2017, which will be particularly evident in the Pure segment.
The organizers can chalk up interesting first-time exhibitors as well as returners in almost all segments of imm cologne for the coming January. This is particularly true for the Smart segment, accommodated in Halls 7 and 8. Major companies that serve the “middle of the market” have again, or for the first time, confirmed their participation because not only do they reach the market-relevant purchasing structures in German-speaking countries, but also the high-turnover distributors from the whole of Europe. It is precisely this international acceptance on the buying side that clearly distinguishes imm cologne from other, more regionally oriented industry events, 
states Gerald Böse. After a one-year pause, CS Schmal is returning to the Smart halls. The newcomers include, among others, the Danish company Interstil, as well as numerous other debut exhibitors from countries such as Spain, Sweden and Russia. Other companies returning to the event include Ekornes in the Comfort segment as well as Joop Living and Maronese in the Prime segment.
The mattress industry continues to focus on Cologne and consequently, the scenario for “Sleep” in Hall 9 in 2017 will once again be: “Sorry, fully booked”. Numerous companies are presently waiting for a stand to become available in this hall. Apart from in Hall 9, Sleep will take place in Hall 5.1 as well, so visitors can look forward to seeing attractive new participants in the Sleep segment as well.
Top international design will also once again be a focus of imm cologne in 2017, which will be particularly evident in the Pure segment. Pure will be rounded off with Pure Editions (innovative interior designs, special-edition concepts, as well as “Das Haus Interiors on Stage”), Pure Textile (textile interior design by premium textile brands), Pure Talents (experimental design, schools and universities, Pure Talents Contest) as well as, for the first time, Pure Studios (design labs, professional networks, independent designers/studios). 
New exhibitors in the Pure segment include, among others, Gloster, Nanimarquina, Möller Design, Roche Bobois, and Meridiani.
As in every second year, in January 2017 LivingKitchen will also once again be an important part of the combined fair and a major highlight. More than 200 exhibitors will be participating in the world’s biggest kitchen show staged under one roof.
All of this means that Cologne will be the trend barometer for the international furnishing world from 16 to 22 January 2017. Visitors and the media may look forward to many interesting companies and exciting product innovations.
#imm #LivingKitchen #trade #fair #Ekornes #Comfort #Joop_Living #Maronese
