Heimtextil’s new “Let’s talk about…” presentation area will be shining a spotlight on the latest market developments in the textile furnishings industry. This central information forum is being established in Galleria 1 during the international trade fair for home and contract textiles, which is taking place in Frankfurt from 9 to 12 January 2013. The event, which is being organised in cooperation with architecture magazine AIT and the German Hotel Association IHA, has lined up an array of renowned speakers.
Olaf Schmidt, Vice President of Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt: “With the relocated ‘Let’s talk about…’ presentation area, we are able to offer architects, planners and decision-makers from the contract business, specialist retailers and interior decorators a central venue where they can find out about the latest developments in their sectors.”
E-commerce and online marketing
The very first day of the trade fair offers a highlight for bed retailers, interior decorators and anyone else looking for some initial insight into the topic of e-commerce and online marketing: “WebChance”, an expert forum featuring important information and a comprehensive overview of the process of online sales and advertising tailored to the needs of bricks-and-mortar retailers.
This allows Heimtextil to address a subject that simply cannot be ignored in today’s retail landscape, one that offers numerous opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Axel Augustin, Managing Director of the German Textile Retailers Association (BTE): “Retail means change – at all levels. Increasingly, purely bricks-and-mortar businesses are being replaced by multichannel enterprises featuring both a physical store and an online shop.
“As a result, classic forms of advertising such as newspaper adverts and brochures are being supplemented, or even replaced, by marketing measures in new media.” This is where the expert forum comes in, which will be highlighting synergies and new opportunities.
“The BTE association welcomes the ‘WebChance’ forum at Heimtextil, as it offers a chance for bed retailers to find out more about e-commerce, social media and other related topics.” In addition to reports on experiences and actual practice from the industry, “WebChance” will also be providing basic concepts, plans of action and success factors for professional e-commerce and online marketing.
Hotel of the future
On the morning of 10 January, the second day of the trade fair, the topic will be “Planning furnishings for the hotel industry – from ambience to room interiors”. Hotel furnishers and contract business experts will report on the latest findings on hotel beds and bathrooms as long-term success factors, among other things.
During the afternoon, world-renowned architects and designers will be focusing on sustainability in the hotel business. Things will kick off with a discussion group comprised of speakers and participants from the “International Hotel Application Awards 2012” at 12:45 p.m., followed at 2:30 p.m. by an exploration of the balance between ecology and economy in the hospitality trade, including a presentation of hotel concepts for the future.
Speakers will include experts from Pia Maria Schmid Architektur- und Designbüro (Zürich), Ron Arad Architects (London) and Devanthéry & Lamunière designlab-architecture (Geneva).
Awards ceremonies will commence at 5:00 p.m. as part of “Let’s talk about…”, honouring the winners of the tenth “Architectural Innovation Award for Contract Textiles”, the “International Hotel Application Awards” and “AIT Trend Scouting Awards”.
Luxury in architecture and interior design
On Friday, the trade fair programme will be focusing on “Luxury and Urban Living”. Starting at 1:00 p.m., the topic of luxury will be explored from an architectural perspective, including a look at home living concepts for the future. The day will be concluded by a discussion round featuring a high-calibre panel of architects and participants in the “International Luxury Living Application Awards 2012”. The award winners will also be honoured.
Messe Frankfurt is Germany’s leading trade fair organiser, with 467.5 million euros in sales and 1,725 employees worldwide. The Messe Frankfurt Group has a global network of 28 subsidiaries and approx.
