German fair Domotex 2022 set for compact restart post COVID-19

21 Oct '21

4 min read

Pic: Domotex

Domotex, the leading trade show for carpets and floor coverings, is set to restart in 2022 for the first time since COVID-19. As a compact trade show staged in halls 11, 12 and 13, the four-day event beginning from January 13 in Hannover Exhibition Centre will give the global Domotex community the chance to reunite and explore the latest products and trends.

Two of the show's display categories – namely for handmade carpets and rugs and for machine-woven carpets – are being brought together in halls 11 and 12. All of the special formats promoted so far will be staged as planned, at locations in either Hall 11, 12 or 13. The exhibitors assigned to halls 11 and 13 thus remain unaffected by the changes. Exhibitors of installation and application technology will now be in even closer proximity to their customers in Hall 13, the organiser Deutsche Messe said in a press release. Deutsche Messe is staging the event in close collaboration with the responsible health authorities.

"Many of our exhibitors and market partners are keenly interested in getting together again to kick things back into high gear. Others are still facing pandemic-related challenges and risks that they regard as possibly limiting when it comes to on-site participation. And various prevailing circumstances such as unresolved political and economic issues affecting parts of the world are creating market uncertainties. This means that many exhibitors have decided not to take part in Domotex again until January of 2023," explained Sonia Wedell-Castellano, global director Domotex at Deutsche Messe

."Despite this, we have opted to take a confident and forward-looking approach by staging Domotex in 2022. The show will be concentrated and compact, with adjustments made to the hall and site layouts. We will now discuss this adjusted concept with the exhibiting companies in the next few days. After all, more than half of the show's exhibitors’ stand committed to taking part in the upcoming Domotex. So we are teaming up with the common goal of restarting the event this coming January,” added Wedell-Castellano.

For both exhibitors and their guests from around the world, the new hybrid tradeshow concept for Domotex gives rise to a wide array of new digital services and virtual participation options. All those unable to travel to the show in person will be able to take part virtually. For example, the Domotex TV format launched at the previous Domotex has been expanded and now includes an online conference programme for the entire duration of the show, featuring live presentations, interviews and panel talks. The conference programme to be moderated by Berlin-based TV presenter Yasmine Blair will be streamed live from Hall 12. In an upbeat setting featuring multiple stages and a catered networking lounge for attendees, engaging in fruitful dialogue will be even more enjoyable for all concerned, the release added.

"We're thrilled to have Domotex going live again in 2022. Trade fairs are vital platforms for identifying and buying new products for our range and networking with industry peers. Over the last 18 months, we've been starved of opportunities for face-to-face communication, so we and our buyers are really looking forward to attending Domotex this January," Wernfried Fesenberg, director of Schlau Heimtex Einkaufs, said.

"We'll be there because Domotex is an important platform for us, and one where we can see all of our suppliers at once. Domotex gives us the easiest way possible to get a handle on the entire market. We get to see the latest innovations and experience new products in context, which is not the case when suppliers come to visit us. And at the moment, attending in-house exhibitions on offer by our suppliers is only possible to a limited degree,” Knutzen Wohnen GmbH director Peter Knutzen said.

"Over the past few months, we've all seen that while digital communication works just fine, it's no substitute for face-to-face dialogue and real gatherings. So, it's great to know that Domotex 2022 is going to be a person-to-person event. We've been attending Domotex for many years because it's an international flooring industry hub where we can get an overview of all the latest products and trends and expand our networks. And we also really value the ability to engage in constructive, face-to-face dialogue with our partners. We are therefore encouraging our FHR partners to attend the show, where we will be providing support in the form of special FHR meeting points where they can gather and network,” said Sabine Wiegand, CEO of industry association Fachhandelsring.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)

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