In brief

The DIY trade show held every two years in the Belgian city of Kortrijk has been given a new, extended title. The next edition of the event from 20 to 22 September 2015 will be called DIY, Home & Garden instead of DIY & Homing, its name since 2010.The target group for the show has also been expanded to include store managers and heads of specialist departments. The retail companies Hubo, Gamma and Adimat are planning to hold meetings for store managers on the last day of the fair, Tuesday 22 September. On the previous day the Belgian trade association Comeos is inviting attendees to the fifth staging of "The Network Happening". The accompanying programme of events also includes talks and product presentations in an area specially set up for this purpose. Free catering is offered to exhibitors and visitors.

The Home sector at the specialist trade fair Ferroforma from 26 to 29 May in Bilbao (Spain) is to get more support. This was announced by the organiser Bilbao Exhibition Centre. The product groups in question are bathroom and sanitary installations, locksmiths' supplies, decorations, toiletries, hardware and DIY products, lighting, and electrical accessories, garden, wood and storage, household goods, vehicle parts and textiles. Meetings, presentations and workshops are planned and there will be a B2B area. The exhibition hall will be divided into three topic areas for garden, living and kitchen. A cooperation exchange forum is planned in the B2B programme.There is a greater cooperation with the Spanish Association of Manufacturers of DIY Products and Hardware (AFEB) and a special contract with the trade fair organisers has now been signed. The association will organise its own events within the framework of Ferroforma and also have its own stand. The AFEB represents more than 70 companies with a total annual turnover of more than € 2 bn and is responsible for more than 10 000 employees.

Messe Frankfurt reported positive results for the three consumer goods fairs Christmasworld, Paperworld and Creativeworld at the end of January. The number of exhibitors was almost on a par with the previous year at 2 855 (2014: 2 883). Visitor numbers were up by 2.2 per cent to 85 000 trade visitors from 156 countries. The proportion of foreign visitors increased to 61 per cent. The Christmasworld special presentation Ice Hotel, the aim of which was to highlight the…