Greater trnsparency at Gafa  

Gafa will be presenting itself from 2 to 4 September with a new, clearer hall concept in response to the wishes of exhibitors and the demands of the marketplace. Grouping the products into topic-specific displays on an exhibition area increased by 14 000 m² to 131 000 m² will ensure greater transparency in the closely-knit product spectrum. This means that water technology, pet care and aquariums will be combined, just as live plants will be put together with biochemical products. The key product sectors will consist of hand and motorised garden implements, lawn care equipment, and garden furnishings together with ornaments. Lighting and water technology, irrigation techniques, structural elements for the garden and florists’ requirements are also permanent fixtures at Gafa. This diverse palette does justice to the trend towards the creation of individuality in both home and garden. Ease of handling and care, plus stylishness of design and a diversity of colour and materials in the garden are tending to awaken the interest of retailers to an increasing degree. For the first time this year new fair topics from the former “areal” event are being added to the spectrum available at Gafa. Among these “newcomers” are the product categories of cemetery technology, golf courses, parks and road building. Around 1 200 suppliers will be presenting their range of products and services in Cologne. Foreign participation at Gafa remains at 60 per cent, the same as last year. A total of 725 foreign exhibitors are coming from 44 countries, or two states more than the previous year. A great part of the exhibitors are from the EU, especially from Italy (141 suppliers), the Netherlands (77), the United Kingdom (69) and France (54). Poland’s 20 suppliers make this the strongest contingent from central and eastern Europe. Over and above all this, countries from overseas will have a powerful presence, particularly as a result of the 59 suppliers from Taiwan, 41 from the US and 16 companies from Japan. In addition, the International Trade Fair for Sports Goods, Camping Equipment and Garden Furniture known as Spoga and held in parallel to Gafa will offer a further 1 200 suppliers from more than 50 countries presenting a comprehensive range of products for rest and recreation in the garden, which includes games and sporting activities. This range stretches from patio sets to hammocks and parasols. Equestrian sport, water sports and scuba diving are other keynote categories. This…