Cologne Show To Allow Supplier Exhibitors

Furniture World News

Suppliers to the industries, who in the past could only walk the show floor, are now allowed to have a presence at Interzum. Show management views the inclusion of companies who are part of the supply chain as a vital step to stimulate knowledge transfer and hence create new business opportunities. For example, companies who manufacture glues, adhesives and impregnating agents can now be found on the trade show floor. The same is true for developers of wood preservative, processing and printing technologies as they feed into the areas of design, architecture, management consulting and process technology. The new structures respond to recent changes in the supply chain within the international woodworking industry. Hall 13 will be set up in a “Campus” like fashion providing a completely new lay out in order to accommodate this new communication structure. Exhibitors will be placed along “Boulevards” which lead to the “PIAZZA” at the center of the hall. This location will be used as an information exchange with numerous meetings points, VIP lounges, press bars and rest zones. The goal is to create a value-added chain throughout Interzum by including aspects related to the supply of raw materials, process technology, management, IT and innovation. The Koelnmesse show management is confident that Interzum's new features will provide immediate benefits to attendees and exhibitors as this structure stimulates idea generation among the industry, trade and design communities. Interzum is the world's leading event for furniture production and interior works. At the last event in 2003 this bi-annual show attracted 1.500 exhibitors and 54,000 trade visitors from all over the world. It is expected that 800 media journalists will be in attendance. The show will take place from April 29 to May 3, 2005. Interzum is one of the most international trade shows in Europe with 60-70 percent of the exhibitors from countries other than Germany. The United States and Canada will be represented with a total of more than 100 exhibitors. To make participation easy and convenient, Koelnmesse Inc., Chicago, is once again organizing a USA Group Exhibit with some 30 US companies. Within that group, the Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council will bring a contingent of 12-15 companies, the States of Virginia and West Virginia will add a total of 9 - 15 manufacturers from their States. In order to create more awareness of the U.S. mattress industry, the Virginia based International Sleep Products Association will once again offer the ISPA Bedding Center at Interzum 2005. The spotlight will be on supplies, services, machinery and equipment available to mattress manufacturers. Interzum 2005 will feature 8 different product areas. The shows most prominent areas will be the Locks and Fittings segment followed by the Boarding, Profiles and Veneers. Other areas of great interest will be the Semi-Finished Product Segment as well as the Upholstered Materials and Accessory Segment. For further information on exhibiting or visiting at Interzum 2005, contact Ken Dickerson at Koelnmesse, Inc., 8700 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Suite 640 North, Chicago, IL 60631. Telephone: (773) 326-9926; Fax: (773) 714-0063; E-mail: k.dickerson@koelnmessenafta.com. Or visit the web site www.interzum.com