In the open air

Known as “Les Journées des Collections”, the two French trade fairs for DIY and the garden are scheduled to take place in June and May respectively. Only not as usual in a hall, but in the grounds of the Royal Abbey of Chaalis, which is about 10 km from Senlis and around 15 minutes away from Paris’s Charles de Gaulle airport. Here buyers are offered the opportunity not only to have a close look at the products but also to try them out.At this year's Les Journées des Collections de Jardin, the fifth version of the garden trade fair which is sponsored by the French industry association Promojardin, 260 exhibitors will be presenting their products and services from 22 – 24 May. On display will be tools and machinery, irrigation techniques, bio-chemicals, garden furniture and ornaments, and outdoor equipment. The three-day event is expected to attract approx. 450 visitors, including buyers from garden centres, the agricultural store business, DIY superstores, supermarkets and hypermarkets.The visitor profile at the DIY fair, which is to be held from 19 – 22 June, looks similar to that of the garden trade show. Here the picture will be characterised by representatives of the mass-merchandisers above all. Fair manager Stéphanie Gazel is expecting 250 trade visitors to attend this event, which is being held for the fourth time this year. On offer will be hardware, tools, heating/plumbing, electrical/lighting, timber, building materials, paint/varnish, wall and floor coverings, and decoration as well. Figures from the organisers show that 150 exhibitors and 200 buyers from 100 French and European buying offices were represented at last year's event. The DIY trade fair is sponsored by the French manufacturers' association, Unibal.Access to these two fairs is restricted to buyers from the retail trade alone, which guarantees high-quality contacts. The services offered by the organisers are just as exclusive as the ambience: they include a hotel booking service, transfer to and from the airport or hotel, as well as breakfast and buffet lunch on the spot.(www.journeesdescollection.com)
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