A last look at Maison & Objet

Looking back at this month's show, one of its less visible but valuable aspects goes beyond product and interior design exhibits - and that's special services provided for M&O visitors to enrich their fair experience.

First, there is the Inspiration Trend Book published each season. It can either be purchased on site or be ordered even after the show from M&O's website.

This month, the overall umbrella of "Singularity" was chosen to decode movements of short and medium term directions in design. They are determined and expressed by known trend setters and trend readers chosen by the show's organizers but are also physically staged in designated areas at the show meant to be sources of inspiration and discovery.

Next - The Retail Area: For the first time this month, a new area allowed distributors to gain advice, ideas and solutions to improve their commercial performance. Retailers discovered different propositions to lay out the point of sale combining technical solutions and new technology with an innovative, educational approach.

A Business Lounge was made available to facilitate new contacts between retailers and suppliers and to encourage "speed dating" sessions between hoteliers and interior designers.

A "special ARCHI DESIGNER" label was established as a quality/services guarantee attributed to a selection of exhibitors specializing in solutions for specifiers.

The label is intended to identify, according to strict criteria, exhibitors whose services, products and know-how are most closely suited to the expectations and needs of architects, design offices and specifiers. The label can be identified by a pictogram prominently displayed on exhibitors' signage and on all exhibition communications materials.

Each and every one of these services will be made a permanent part of any upcoming show.

Au Revoir, Paris, for now - til next time.