Contract Trade a Key at Heimtextil

By Carole Sloan -- Home Textiles Today, 12/15/2008 12:00:00 AM

Frankfurt, Germany —

The 2009 Heimtextil that will run Jan. 14-17 here will host 2,800 exhibitors with anticipated visitors numbering about 85,000.

The exhibitor base is 57% from Europe, primarily from Germany, Italy, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium and Portugal. The top five are, in order, Germany, India, China, Turkey and Pakistan.

From the attendee side, 64% will come from outside Germany, headed by Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, China, the United States, Turkey, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

For the 2009 Heimtextil, Messe Frankfurt, organizer of the event, will showcase the Heimtextil Trend presentation that highlights the international trend preview of colors, shapes, textures and materials that is a mainstay of the annual exhibition.

In addition, Messe Frankfurt will showcase best practices and information related to sustainable business operations that lead to added value for the environment, economy and business.

Contract Creations is a special section to showcase offerings from Heimtextil exhibitors from among the growing number of who produce fabrics and home textiles products for the contact sector.

As part of the exhibition's increased focus on contract, Heimtextil is launching a Young Contract Creations Award that will highlight both wall coverings and upholstery in separate sections directed to textiles and upholstered furniture designers.

"Expect the Unexpected" is the motto of the trend forecast predictions which will be debuted by the Trend Table committee, part of an agenda that also includes the issuance of a Trend Book and an archive of the last 18 years of trend forecasts along with the one for 2009/2010.

And to help safeguard designs and intellectual property, Messe Frankfurt Against Copying is an information and legal service that assists exhibitors in protecting the copyrights and trademarks of their products.