Events

100th CHS in TorontoIt will be for the 100th time when the Canadian Hardware and Building Materials Show (CHS) opens its doors to visitors from 1 to 3 February. A big opening ceremony attended by key figures from the industry is scheduled to take place at the National Trade Centre on the Saturday morning, 1 February, to mark this anniversary. Interior decoration is becoming an increasingly important topic in the Canadian industry, which is the reason why the entire spectrum of products involved is being presented on the Décor Focus group stand. There exhibitors from all over North America will be showing wallpaper, paint and other decorating products. It is especially during the past three years that this segment has gained tremendously in significance. However, despite all, timber and building materials still remain the most important sectors at this hardware and building materials fair. The New Vendor Avenue, a feature that was included last year specially for new exhibitors, will this year again offer companies from Canada, the USA, China and India the possibility of presenting themselves and their products at the CHS for the first time. On view here will be a broad range of products including mirrors, garden tools, decorators’ requisites, door locks and fittings, Christmas decorations, housewares, cutting tools and much more as well. “At least 90 per cent of visitors come to the CHS fair with the main idea of seeing what is new – new suppliers and new products,” is the explanation given by fair director Maura Bella for this initiative.Extension of exhibition spaceThe organisers of Europarket, which will take place in Kortrijk, Belgium, from 28 to 30 March 2004, expect more than 180 exhibitors and 6 000 visitors to attend the event. Another hall has been added to the exhibition space, giving a new total area of 25 000 m². About 45 per cent of the companies represented will be coming from outside Belgium.More bookings for CologneFollowing the announcement by Koelnmesse that the International Hardware Fair – Practical World will in future be held in a two-yearly rhythm, the UK manufacturers’ association BHHMA is recording an increasing number of enquiries from its members. According to the association, bookings are up and there is greater interest in participating because an industry-specific meeting of this size will not be due again until 2006. The association is again organising a group stand for British manufacturers in 2004.Light + BuildingLight +…