Heimtextil Americas, the residential and hospitality textile fair, was held in Miami Beach, May 24 - 26, 2000

Furniture World News

Heimtextil Americas, the residential and hospitality textile fair, was held in Miami Beach, May 24 - 26, 2000. Over 170 exhibitors from 27 countries offered a variety of products including residential and hospitality decorative and upholstery fabrics, trim, decorative accessories, bed, bath and linen as well as innovative textile related products. The overall success of the show's ability to attract North and South American buyers can be attributed to the impressive domestic and international exhibitor list including companies from Belgium, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Pakistan, Panama, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey and USA. The exhibition drew a total of 2,500 attendees from 43 countries that were exposed to a wide range of new design trends and product innovations. Visitors included retail buyers from retail shops, major chain stores and department stores from North and South America while the top purchasing agents and specifiers from the world's largest hotel chains browsed the aisles. AvoraTMFR sponsored the "Contract Connection Gallery of Stars" along with co-sponsor Florida South Chapter of ASID. Top U.S. hospitality designers and design students from the Art Institute of Florida, International Fine Arts College of Miami and Palm Beach Community College displayed framed concept boards using AvoraTMFR flame-resistant fabrics from Heimtextil Americas exhibiting companies. This art gallery created a visually enticing showcase for the preeminent designers of major design firms in the U.S., and established a visual link between the hospitality exhibitors and those buyers looking for new products. New on the trade show floor this year was the internationally renowned "Heimtextil Trend Pavilion" that showcased textile trends for 2000/2001. Originally produced for Heimtextil in Frankfurt, the multiplexed pavilion encouraged visitors to travel through its rooms of fabric, color and mixtures of elements designed to convey five basic moods: Child, Office, Earth, Fire and Water. These themes played with innovative elements such as mobiles of slate and driftwood, oversized cloth-covered beach balls, fabric wrapped office equipment and 15-foot daisies. Each room, separated by walls of flowing white sheer drapes, incorporated fabric samples supplied by Heimtextil Americas' exhibitors, thus allowing greater exposure to their product line. Visitors also enjoyed the Mexican Pavilion, a special design area that showcased the latest direction and innovations in South American hospitality and residential trends. The top purchasing agents, specifiers and industry experts, representing the most influential hotel and residential projects in the U.S., led seminars that offered diverse and relevant topics, which participants found beneficial, constructive and entertaining. Some of the many seminar topics were: "What Happens When Design Meets New Technology," "Fantasy and Theme Hotels," "Passport to Color" and "Adventures in Dining." The next Heimtextil Americas will be held May 16-18, 2001 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. For more information, contact: Messe Frankfurt, Inc. Attn: Elly Ahn-McCloud 1600 Parkwood Circle, Suite 515 Atlanta, GA 30339 Tel: 770-984-8016 Fax: 770-984-8023 E-Mail: info@usa.messefrankfurt.com Website: www.usa.messefrankfurt.com