It is not only the trade fair duo of imm cologne and the new LivingKitchen that will be getting 2011 off to an excellent start for Koelnmesse. All signs are pointing to success for interzum too, meaning that this leading international trade fair fully deserves its status. As a location for the furnishing and accessories sector, Cologne is a leading light within the furniture and furnishings industry, now more than ever.

The team surrounding product manager Frank Haubold is very pleased with the status quo of interzum and is confident that it will achieve its desired objectives. The current plan for the exhibition halls envisions occupying one hall more than in 2009, meaning that interzum 2011 will span Halls 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.1 and 10.2 – i.e. 10 halls with a total of over 145,000 square metres of exhibition space.

Strong representation in all product segments The product segments are divided up as follows: In Hall 4.2 Koelnmesse is bringing together exhibitors in the area of lighting and innovative materials. Hall 5.2 is devoted to the natural materials such as wood, veneers and parquet, and to interior design. In Halls 5.2 and 4.1 visitors will find semi-finished products for free-standing cabinets, kitchens, office furniture and dining room furniture. Hall 6 is designated for the "Form & Decoration" section, i.e. decorative surfaces, papers, laminates, wooden materials, embossed cylinders and metal sheets. Halls 4.1, 7 and 8 accommodate fittings, locks and furniture installation components. All the providers of machinery for upholstery and mattress production are found in Halls 9 and 10.1. In addition, everything imaginable associated with the theme of "Comfort & Bedding", such as upholstery materials and accessories, cover fabrics and leather, will be presented in Halls 10.1 and 10.2.

Interzum 2009

Emphasis on lightweight design and textile processing

One of the main areas of emphasis at interzum 2011 is the theme of lightweight design. Similar to several of the other themes in the supplier industry, systematic competence is needed here – many different trades must work optimally together to venture into this new territory in an appropriate manner. Here interzum once again considers itself to be an initiator, providing its exhibitors with the opportunity to intensify and present collaborative work on this platform so that it can also be taken up by the furniture industry.  Although lightweight design has not yet celebrated any major successes, macrotrends continue to point to radical changes in furniture manufacturing. The shortage of raw materials, "green furniture" and electrification are just a few of the current buzzwords.

The textile industry is similarly important for interzum – after all, in regular surveys every third visitor indicates particular interest in this segment. With around 400 exhibitors in "Comfort & Bedding" as well as another 150 in "Machinery & Technology", interzum considers itself to be very well positioned in this area, offering a selection that is certainly the only one of its kind in the world. Based on the status quo, it can be assumed that the number of exhibitors will exceed that of 2009.

Interzum 2009

Piazzas and events throughout the entire exhibition grounds

The plans for interzum 2011 also include a broad range of events, some in the exhibition halls as well as in the connecting walkways and along the large boulevard between the exhibition halls. For example, in Hall 5.1 there will be a piazza based on the topic of natural materials. New trends and examples of innovative applications for wood and veneers are the focus there. The podium discussions, workshops and the "European Veneer Forum" on 26 and 27 May address the main topics in a variety of ways. The piazza in Hall 6.1 is completely devoted to design possibilities for surfaces and structures. With support from the exhibitors in Hall 6, this area will provide a comprehensive overview of the capabilities and offerings of the industry.

The piazza in Hall 10 is dedicated to textiles and textile processing.

Interzum 2009	Interzum 2009	Interzum 2009

The North exhibition boulevard deals with the "Lightness of Design". Here the lightweight design offensive (OWL) project conducted by the Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe (University of Applied Sciences) and the Leichtbau e.V. (Lightweight Design) interest group is pooling together competencies and potential in the area of lightweight furniture design. Visitors can enjoy culinary highlights in a beer garden located between Halls 7 and 8.  Koelnmesse is also planning a lounge area.

"innovation of interior" for designers and product developers from all segments

interzum is emphasising its creative potential with "innovation of interior" in Hall 4.2. Here new applications are being presented especially for the highly interesting target groups of architects, designers and product developers. Lighting concepts and special materials for interior design such as solid surface materials, innovative coatings and direct printing technology make Hall 4.2 the international showroom for planners and creative minds. Two individual trend shows for lighting and innovative materials are planned. The architects' day on 27 May, which is being organised in cooperation with the State Chamber of Architects of North Rhine-Westphalia, will supplement the offerings as well as a comprehensive line-up of presentations, daily guided tours and the presentation of the "Young Designer Award" by the Association of German Industrial Designers (Verband Deutscher Industrie Designer e.V.).

On the occasion of interzum 2011, the competition for the "interzum award" was announced once again. The renowned design prize will be presented for the sixth time during the trade fair. The award celebration will take place during the opening event on 24 May, with a special presentation of the awarded products along the exhibition boulevard also being planned. The boulevard will also feature the exhibition of the "International Design Award", which is being presented by the companies Hettich and Rehau, as well as "Future Bizz", which will showcase innovative business ideas for the homes and lives of people in the year 2020.

Interzum 2009

Interzum 2009

As at the past two events, interzum will once again be the hub for the third "Innovation Workshop on Wood-based Materials" on 24 May. In the run-up to the trade fair, numerous speakers from industry and research will present industry innovations at this event being held at the Congress Centre North on the exhibition grounds.

More exhibitors compared to 2009

Based on the current registration status, approx. 1,400 companies from over 60 countries are expected to attend as exhibitors. Compared to registrations received for the last event by the same point in time, those responsible at Koelnmesse are currently seeing an increase of approx. 5% both in terms of the space to be occupied as well as the number of exhibitors. Noticeable growth has come particularly from abroad, while the trade fair organisers report that the number of German exhibitors remains stable. Halls 5.2, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are completely booked, while there is still free remaining space in Halls 5.1, 10.1, 10.2, 4.1 and 4.2. The product segment "Function & Parts" did especially well early on.

Interzum 2009	Interzum 2009

Feedback for interzum has been more than satisfying at all levels, as confirmed time and again in the statements of many companies. "This coming May we will even have the pleasure of welcoming several renowned new exhibitors and returnees to Cologne. Of course this makes us very proud and is a sign that we have done something right in the past," says Haubold. For many companies, interzum 2011 is the most important industry event that simply cannot be missed.

Over 50,000 visitors expected from Germany and abroad

When it comes to visitors, the interzum team also has specific objectives. The minimum figure is around 50,000 trade visitors, though it is possible that up to 54,000 visitors from 140 countries could attend – which would be eight to 14 percent more than in 2009. Thanks to several comprehensive marketing measures, including targeted visitor advertising, Koelnmesse hopes to reach this mark as well. After the low in 2005 with 11,000 visitors, the number of visitors from Germany had already risen to a pleasing 18,000 in 2009. In 2009, the economic crisis negatively impacted potential visitors from abroad – major groups of visitors were missing, for example from Japan, Brazil, the United States, Spain and the UK. The current trend and responses from global companies indicate that this year will once again be a successful year. The estimates by Deutsche Messe AG for "Ligna" point in the same direction. Thanks to joint advertising efforts aimed at potential visitors abroad, both trade fairs, which take place consecutively, will ultimately benefit equally.

More exhibitors, lots of visitors, full exhibition halls and a broad selection of offerings: interzum 2011 has what it takes to outdo itself at this event. Anyone who wants to know the trends will be coming to Cologne in May. The industry will be coming together at interzum 2011.