Time to restart, time to get back into direct contact and create something new. These are the premises with which imm cologne announces its return to the international trade fair stage, a physical comeback (though not exclusively) made of new ideas and proposals to sustain and boost the furniture sector.
The appointment is from 17 to 23 January: the event organized by Koelnmesse resumes its position at the start of the year’s calendar of fairs. This year, more than ever, there is a clear intention to emphasize the role of imm on the German and European scene, encouraged by the good results of the industry in spite of the pandemic, but also by the new initiatives launched by the organization, to accompany the sector in this phase of renewal, and for the entire year to come.
Time for Exchange
“It’s Time for Exchange, and that’s why together with the interior design industry we are bringing back imm cologne, our business and lifestyle platform, now active for 365 a year – says Claire Steinbrück, Director of the fair. – As we look ahead to January, we are already excited about discovering sensational innovations firsthand, doing business face to face and finally experiencing the new launches with all our senses again.”
The theme perfectly sums up the two aspects of the 2022 edition: an opportunity to renew personal contact and at the same time to create something new, which nevertheless has the recognizable character of imm cologne. A format that combines the classic fair with new digital ideas.
Eva Solo @ Farbiger Wohnen, Pure Editions
Claire Steinbrück & Matthias Pollmann
The formula has already met with success in terms of registrations, reaching a level of over 70% as of September. As many as 600 exhibitors are expected, of which 74% from other countries. “For us, and for the entire furniture industry, I hope an even larger number of companies will decide to take part, sending a clear signal in favor of a strong platform for furniture in the most profitable market in Europe – says Matthias Pollmann, Vice-President for Trade Fair Management. – We are sensing a strong desire for physical encounters and business, which gives us force as we prepare for the upcoming events.”
imm cologne 365
“A fair has to evolve together with the market,” Matthias Pollmann continues. So with imm cologne 2022, there is also the launch of its digital counterpart, imm cologne 365, “based on three perfectly aligned elements: the live fair, the event of international reference, kicking off the year for the furniture industry; the new online magazine, ‘the magazine by imm cologne,’ with a focus on themes that will enliven the world of décor, subdivided into specific interesting areas. And, finally, the digital platform Ambista, which will concentrate on products, news and business matching.” All this allows the networking to happen 12 months a year, beyond the limits of time and geography of the fair itself.
MENU @ Komfortabler Wohnen, Pure-Editions
Lets be smart, Smart Village
From the German market into the world
An added point in favor of the event is undoubtedly the positive trend in the furniture sector, also on the German market. According to the German Trade Association of Furniture and Kitchens (BVDM), furniture production in Germany in the first half of 2021 amounted to 8.4 billion euros, of which 5.6 billion (67%) in Germany and 2.8 billion (33%) in exports (to France, Switzerland and Austria, as the leading countries). Italy is instead the third ranked country for imports in Germany, at a level of 521 million euros (4%).
“The specialized trade still considers the in-person trade fair format to be of the utmost relevance – says Christian Haeser, director of BVDM. – The industry urgently needs a little business normality. Experiencing the products, trend scouting as well as networking and ordering on-site at the event are essential for business and form the basis of a sustainable customer experience.”
For information and tickets to imm cologne 2022, visit the website imm-cologne.de.