By Jürg Rupp, Executive Editor
Every year, the international textile events calendar begins in Frankfurt, Germany. There is no doubt: For decades, Heimtextil, organized by Messe Frankfurt, is by far the largest international trade fair for home and contract textiles for manufacturers, retailers and designers. It always takes place in January, this year from January 12-15, 2016. However, this year, there is a change in the schedule. For the first time, the fair will start on a Tuesday and run until Friday.
Successful 2015
For many years, the sector of home textiles is a secure and steady business segment of the global textile manufacturers who are involved in these products. This was confirmed last year with another increase of some 3 percent in the number of visitors. Heimtextil in 2015 was a success. The 2,759 exhibitors from 68 countries welcomed some 68,000 trade visitors from all over the world. According to Messe Frankfurt, the exhibitors were very pleased with the orders placed by the visiting buyers.
Successful 2016?
Also for 2016 the organizers report a significant growth in exhibitor numbers despite the current economic issues around the globe. For Messe Frankfurt, “This is a clear indication that Heimtextil remains the most important platform in its sector in 2016 and that the themes are very much in line with the sector’s current preoccupations.” The show will assemble more than 2,700 exhibitors, and the range of products covers the world’s largest international selection of contract textiles for the hotel trade, architectural use and interior design.
Contract Business
Still the most important part of this sector is the contract business with its particular requirements in terms of soil release, washability, durability and flame resistance and other properties. More than 350 of the Heimtextil exhibitors will be presenting their portfolios under the Contract Creations label.
The range of contract products and services covers a large number of materials and suppliers of all qualities and all pricing levels. One of the advantages for the visitors is the fact that potential and experienced partners are present to support new ideas and projects. Guided tours at the fair and a lecture program specially dedicated to hoteliers and architects will provide more valuable input.
Special Program For Hotels And Architecture
On top of that, in the inspiring showcase for trends — the so-called “Theme Park” in hall 6.0, where visitors can see a broad overview of current and future trends — is second to none in interior design around the world. Visitors can also see and take a glimpse into the future of Hospitality as well as stimulating showcases.
As a meeting place for architects and hoteliers, the “Salon Interior” in Foyer 4.0 provides an inviting venue. It offers a comfortable atmosphere and a meeting point for trend scouts, as well as for the guided tours for architects and hoteliers and it is where attendees of the lecture program can find out about the subjects to be covered by the speakers.
Clear Sections
The huge range of products at Heimtextil is subdivided into clearly identifiable sections. Contract logos at the booths indicate that the exhibitor carries a range of contract textiles and/or solutions for furnishing hotels, restaurants and other commercial or public spaces. The Contract Guide offers lots of help to the visitors to find its way around the show and includes an overview of all the suppliers of contract textiles. This index is directed to architects, hotel managers, planners and interior designers. The guide will be available free of charge to both exhibitors and visitors.
Furthermore, Heimtextil presents the results of a recent study about the importance of textiles for the high-quality hotel sector in form of a Management Report, which will be published at the beginning of the fair. The Management Report will be available on the Heimtextil website.
Lecture Program
In collaboration with an architecture magazine and the IHA hotel association, Heimtextil offers a varied program of lectures for architects, interior architects, designers and hoteliers. All lectures will take place in the Europa Room in the Foyer of Hall 4.0 on January 13 and 14. In addition on the afternoon of January 13, all sessions will come under the umbrella of “compact.good.exclusive – the new luxury in residential construction.”
On the morning of January 14, 2016, the German Hotel Association will report on trends and developments as they relate to sustainability in the hotel industry. Specialist speakers will give details of sustainable hygiene solutions and technologies in the hotel trade. Issues include “Outsource or do the cleaning yourself?,” and “What challenges does a modern environmental management system bring?”
Finest Interior Award 2015
There is no exhibition without an award Heimtextil is a partner in this year’s “Finest Interior Awards,” and together they will honor the creative work of interior architects, interior designers, interior decorators and furnishings consultants. The Netherlands is the official partner country for this year’s Awards. The winning exhibits are there to be discovered in a special display in Hall 11.0.
Guided Tours
Not only on a holiday trip can guided tours make a lot of sense by economizing a lot of time and money. Heimtextil will offer guided tours tailored to the needs and interests of architects and hoteliers. The meeting point for all tours is the Salon Interior.Architecture.Hospitality in Foyer 4.0.
Additionally, from 11:00 a.m. onwards on both Wednesday, January 13, and Friday, January 15, product innovations for contract furnishings on offer from well-known manufacturers will be presented. Both tours will be accompanied by specialists, and will take some two hours. On January 14, also at 11:00 a.m., trend scouts will offer a tour that takes in the 15 products selected by architects and interior designers.
On top of that Heimtextil will invite decision-makers from the hotel industry to a conducted tour of the trade fair. Participants will get an overview of furnishing trends in the hotel and contract industries. The tours start at 11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on January 14.
So, there is a lot to see and to do at Heimtextil — the trends, colors, patterns and new materials shouldn’t be missed. Heimtextil is calling!
December 8, 2015
