- High number of registrations.
- Strong demand for space from abroad.
- New registrations in all segments.
- LivingInteriors: Koelnmesse launches new format for Hall 4
“After the imm cologne got the furniture year 2011 off to a dynamic start, the event is forging ahead with a strong wind at its back” Frank Haubold, Director of imm cologne analyzed the perspective for imm cologne 2012 at the European Trade Press Conference.
The good economic situation right now, especially in Germany, hasmade
that possible. After the global economic and financial crisis in late 2008 and 2009, worldwide furniture consumption rose again both in 2010 and 2011 and currently amounts to approx. 280 billion euros. With its 27 member states, the European Union is the biggest economic zone in the
world. Last year, its 500 million inhabitants generated a gross domestic
product of 12.3 trillion euros, representing growth of 1.8 percent as
compared to the previous year. Germany is the most important furniture
market in Europe. In 2010, the industry generated sales of 18.5 billion
euros (+2.2%).
Cologne is very much a talking point in the national and international interior design sector. This is also reflected in the number of registrations received for the trade fair, which shows double-digit growth even as compared to the strong figures for 2011 (imm+LivingKitchen). The available hall space of approx. 250,000 m² will thus be fully occupied. Registrations are being received from exhibitors from more than 50 countries – a fact that impressively underscores the internationality of the event and its continuously growing international relevance. In 2012, Italy will be particularly well represented by its leading lifestyle brands. With B&B Italia, Cierre, Desalto, Driade, Living Divani and Kartell, the country’s leading market players will be presenting their product ranges and new developments in the “Pure” design segment. But there are some positive signals from Germany too. The new and returning exhibitors include Form Exclusiv, Wackenhut, Trüggelmann, Disselkamp, Easy Chair, Staud, Meise, Wima and Nolte Delbrück. All in all, Koelnmesse currently anticipates that between 1,000 and 1,100 exhibitors will take part in the imm
cologne 2012.
In addition, the new LivingInteriors event will be taking place parallel to the imm cologne for the first time.
LivingInteriors – the new highlight in January.
Together with the imm cologne, LivingInteriors will open its doors in Cologne for the first time next year. The new LivingInteriors event stands for holistic living and interior design concepts and will feature national and international exhibitors from the bathroom, flooring, wall and lighting sectors. LivingInteriors is intended as a lifestyle event that will attract trade visitors and the general public alike.
Therefore, just like the imm cologne, the trade fair will have three
Public Days to enable consumers to experience its event-like character.
LivingInteriors aims to generate sales momentum through new business and open up new sales channels for its exhibitors. In order to achieve these goals, LivingInteriors is banking on a broad-based and sustained media presence. In this respect, the event stands to benefit greatly from the synergies that its partner Gruner & Jahr Events will contribute as a subsidiary of one of Germany’s major publishing houses.
The combination of business and event is firmly anchored in the underlying concept and will be particularly apparent from the event spaces integrated into the exhibition. These installations will present products from the bathroom, flooring, walls and lighting segments and stage them in the overall context of home interiors.
imm cologne – a highly international event
The biggest contingents of foreign exhibitors will be coming from Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark and Switzerland, but many other countries will be represented as well. Greece and Slovenia, for instance, are both planning joint booths. The number of international companies who have never been represented in Cologne before or are returning after a long absence is definitely set to increase. That is partly due to the good results of the 2011 fair, but also to the positive economic forecasts for the German-speaking countries.
From high-end design to young lifestyles: The imm cologne’s exhibitor portfolio in brief.
Hall 11 with its top international brands has always been a magnet for lovers of high-end design who want to know how the premium manufacturers and star designers picture the interiors of the future. The exclusive collections present a multifaceted spectrum of luxurious ambiences, innovative designs and pioneering interior concepts. As sustainability continues to be a key theme, smart greenline interiors are in great demand. Furniture featuring a vintage style and warm colours and materials is also popular, as are designs that echo modern architecture with clear lines and sophisticated nested structures – a
development that is particularly evident in the latest shelving and wall unit systems. The greatest possible customisability and maximum adaptation to customers’ needs and wants are also playing an increasingly important role.
The successful Pure Village exhibition format in Hall 3.2 provides a lively setting for unconventional brand and product scenographies and uses attractive juxtapositions and emotional scenographies to showcase design items and interior concepts to maximum effect – and is guaranteed to provide inspiration en masse.
The Pure Village hall will also provide young creative talents with a venue for presenting their exciting, sometimes visionary, sometimes provocative designs:the D³ Design Talents forum. But besides being a fascinating trend barometer, D³ Design Talents is also a career springboard that has resulted in many a young designer being discovered by a prestigious manufacturer.
In 2012, Pure Village will also serve as the venue for the imm cologne’s new design project “Das Haus – Interiors on Stage”. “Das Haus” will show a structure created entirely in accordance with the guest designer’s ideas – architectural elements, interior and outdoor spaces – as well as arrangements of furniture and furnishing elements for an individually configured interior design. In the middle of the Pure Village hall, the trade fair will erect an approx.
180 m² platform to serve as an open stage for the project. “Das Haus – Interiors on Stage” is thus both a designer portrait and a visionary blueprint, an example of how it is possible to create a world of one’s own that becomes an expression of one’s own personality. Next year’s “Das Haus” will be created by designer duo Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien. The London design team is famous for its original designs for major players like Moroso, Authentics or Cappellini, but also for its affinity with interaction design and other sectors of industry. The Anglo-Indian husband and wife team takes a hybrid approach to design that allows them to combine various cultures, industries, technologies and craft techniques.
The Prime segment is dedicated to living room and bedroom furniture primarily from the high-end segment – and will occupy Halls 4.1, 5.1, 5.2 and 10.1. Hall 5.2 has been added in response to the great demand for space in this segment, which gives visitors a comprehensive overview of the modern interiors, dining rooms, tables and chairs for every purpose that are available from international manufacturers. Multifunctionality plays a major role.
Whether it’s a dining table that can be transformed into a billiards table or uses integrated computer technology to turn itself into an electronic TV guide, today’s furniture is becoming increasingly intelligent and encouraging interaction.
More upholstered furniture is on show at the imm cologne than anywhere else in the world. In the Comfort segment in halls 4.1, 5.2, 6 and 10.2, manufacturers from all over the globe will be presenting a unique and near complete overview of what the world market has to offer. Comfort and flexibility are the top priorities: modern relaxation furniture has to be comfortable enough to sit, lay or loll around on. And straightforward reconfiguration solutions mean trendy modular systems of upholstered furniture can be adapted to a wide range of different needs and situations.
When it comes to Young Lifestyles, visitors can find out what’s in vogue and promises to be big business in Halls 7 and 8 of the Smart segment. The exceedingly wide assortment offers numerous clever furnishing solutions. But maximising storage space isn’t the only thing that people furnishing their firsthomes are interested in. Attractive, trendy design and consistent quality have long been obligatory in this segment.
The range of sleep-relevant goods on show in Hall 9 promises to be the stuff that dreams are made of. From mattresses and sleeping systems all the way to bed linen and other textiles, the international assortment of goods will feature everything that turns a bedroom into a wellness oasis for daytime relaxation as well.
The signs are good that, from 16h to 22 January 2012, the imm cologne will once again turn the city into the temporary design capital of Europe. In these seven days, the imm cologne and LivingInteriors will generate valuable synergy effects that all its exhibitors and visitors will benefit from.
Further information:
www.imm-cologne.de
www.purevillage.de
www.doshilevien.com
imm cologne + LivingInteriors
16 – 22 January 2012
9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Public Days: 20 – 22 January 2012