New rhythm for Hardware Fair

As Koelnmesse has announced, the International Hardware Fair/Practical World will be held every two years after 2004, but will still remain as the brand name for three fair segments: Tools, Security Systems, Locks + Fittings, and Builders’ and DIY Supplies. Information coming from Cologne suggests that the entire spectrum of product ranges will be represented again from 2006. The International Hardware Fair/Practical World will accordingly retain its profile as a leading global exhibition whilst continuing to perform as an exemplary trade-oriented event. Furthermore, the management in Cologne is convinced that the double brand consisting of the International Hardware Fair for tools, security systems, locks and fittings, along with Practical World for the home improvement and DIY sector, both provides the various sectors with the necessary internal identification with their particular pillar of the fair and also signals the breadth and depth of the comprehensive product range to the outside world.
Complete global range again in future
The concentration on a two-year rhythm may indeed signify a reduction in the number of events, but Koelnmesse intends in this way to improve the quality of the show, and at the same time make it possible for the participating sectors to optimise costs in their trade fair planning. This should in turn upgrade the fair as a marketing instrument. Less means more for the organisers in this case, i.e. more content and depth, from which it is intended the specialist trade should clearly profit as the most important target group. As a result of the body of exhibitors that can be expected from 2006, buyers will find an international range of as many top brands as possible, the small and medium-sized business sector and many small companies. The familiar date in March, including the daily sequence of events from Sunday to Wednesday, will also be maintained in future.
New tools fair
Over and above all these changes, Koelnmesse is considering the chances of implementing a new special trade event under the name of “Tools Cologne – Die Werkzeugmesse”, which could be staged from 2005 in the odd-numbered years. Target exhibitor groups for this special fair would be both the national and, in particular, the European hand and power tool industry. The visitor groups that it is intended to target include buyers and suppliers on the manufacturing side, buyers from all the various retail formats, as well as tradesmen – in direct contrast to the…