With close to 53,000 visitors from 147 countries and more than 1,430 suppliers from 61 countries, organizers are calling interzum 2011 their best event ever.
The leading international trade fair for the furniture supplier industry announced growth of 13 percent compared to the previous event in 2009. This year’s fair saw an eight per cent increase in exhibition space and a 24 per cent increase of visitors from abroad.
“I’m absolutely thrilled, it was incredible,” said Frank Haubold, product manager of interzum and director of the imm cologne.
“The industry has been celebrating itself – with good reason. 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.”
Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Böse called this year’s interzum 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 was a wide selection of newly-developed products on show in all segments.
More exhibitors, more visitors
In 2011, 1,434 companies exhibited at interzum, 378 from Germany and 1,056 from abroad. Italy was well represented with 276 exhibitors in Cologne, followed by Turkey with 88 companies. A total increase of almost six percent compared to the previous event. Exhibition space grew by eight percent.
“It was a very good fair for us,” said Wolfgang Steib, executive board member at Hettich Holding GmbH & Co. oHG. “The number of visitors was much higher than last time. In our opinion, it was a first-rate interzum.”
A total of 52,400 trade visitors (up from 46,345 in 2009) came to the Rhine metropolis. 17,900 visitors were from Germany, 34,500 came from 147 countries around the globe. With 24 percent more foreign visitors, the event made significant gains compared to 2009. And it’s not just the exhibitors who are satisfied with the quantity and quality of the visitors. Visitors were equally enthusiastic about the comprehensive product spectrum on display in Cologne. One visitor called it “an extraordinary interzum with a great atmosphere and fantastic flair.
The second edition of “innovation of interior,” a forum for interior architects, tradesmen, architects, designers and developers, was extremely well received.
“In our opinion, the ‘innovation of interior’ concept is a great success,” said Julia Sohler, marketing communications manager at Blum.
For the fifth time, the interzum award: material innovations and design, honoured some of the industry’s best innovations. A 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 be held May 13-16, 2013.