The American Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA) has cancelled the AHMA Hardware Show in Chicago, which was planned for the beginning of April 2005. Now it will focus on creating relevant alternative events for members of the association and the industry. This is the response of the association to recent developments in the DIY scene and to greatly diminished figures at the Hardware Show for the past few years. Timothy S. Farrell, President & CEO of AHMA declares: “It’s a tough decision because the Hardware Show has been such an important event to our members, our industry and our association for such a long time, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s the right decision.”
Expansion of Journées de Collections
More than 170 exhibitors participated in the Journées des Collections du Jardin when it was held for the second time from 2 to 4 June at the Abbaye Royale de Challis in the Paris conurbation. Organiser Marc Labbaye also staged a fair for DIY products this year for the first time, an event that attracted 97 exhibiting companies from 22 to 24 June. The dates for next year are already known: Les Journées des Collections du Jardin from 24 to 26 May 2005, and Les Journées des Collections du Bricolage from 21 to 23 June. The organiser wishes to stress the fact that the exhibiting companies alone have access to the fair, apart from buying and marketing executives of European retail organisations.
Hardware fair in India
The third India International Hardware & Tools Expo 2004 will be open for business in the Nehru Centre in Mumbai from 16 to 18 December. The products on display there will include hand and power tools for both DIYers and professionals, air tools, garden tools, furniture fittings, adhesives, ladders, rust prevention, painting and decorating equipment, etc. 90 exhibitors will occupy a net exhibition space of 2 500 m². The last time the fair was held, a total of 3 000 trade visitors attended it.
Pre-fair quality audit
Koelnmesse is offering exhibitors at the new Asia-Pacific Sourcing in Cologne a quality audit in the run-up to the fair, to be carried out by TÜV Rheinland. The companies can have their products tested and certified in accordance with German and international standards. It is expected that the reputation of these TÜV analyses will be of assistance to exhibitors in their marketing activities. Asia-Pacific Sourcing, to be held from 27 February to 1 March 2005, is open to manufacturers and…