2008 Begins with imm Cologne

For many members of the furniture industry, 2008 will

start in Germany at imm Cologne. Scheduled to take place

Jan. 14-20 at Koelnmesse, the market is widely regarded

as the global business hub for furniture and interior design
sector. That's because Imm Cologne offers international

buyers three features that other markets don’t.

First, Imm Cologne is more international in scope than

any other furnishings trade show in the world,

explained Koelnmesse Press Officer Markus Majerus.

“We think of it as a global marketplace. Second, we
structure the show into nine segments by furniture type,

as well as price point. Buyers find every type of product

from bedroom, kitchen, living room, dining room,

mattressesand upholstered furniture to solid wood

and ready-to-assemble furniture. All together, we

will host 1,300 exhibitors from five continents. Lastly,

we hear fromexhibitors that imm Cologne is a place

where businessis done andexhibitors walk away

with a good idea of what to expect in the coming

months.”

Still, Koelnmesse is always striving to make imm Cologne

a better experience for perennial attendees, as well as

attract new visitors. According to Majerus, Koelnmesse

is promoting its 2008 show to U.S. designers and
architects, as well as organizing many concurrent events

and exhibits designed to influence and stimulate

international furniture designs and styles in the coming

months. On the agenda are Dutch Design, an exhibition
focusing on the development of residential neighborhoods

in harbor cities; Compasso d¹oro, a look at 50 years

of Italian furniture design; and Design Germany,

a selection of classic and current designs.

In addition, Imm Cologne will again produce its

annual Trend Book, developed by a trend board

consisting of international designers, architects
and journalists. The last edition was unveiled

during a September press conference in

St. Petersburg, Russia.

Furthermore, in response to growing demand for

green products, imm Cologne will, for the first time

ever, dedicate a separate floor to solid wood
furniture. Located in hall 4.2, imm solid will feature

suppliers of natural, wood-based furniture. Most pieces

in this segment are designed and built to high eco

standards, since manufacturers are very attuned to using
natural materials that enable them to market these p

products to the new Eco Chic audience.