The international hardware fair Ferroforma 2000, which opened for business in the Spanish city of Bilbao between 23 and 26 September, recorded a total of 18 000 visitors, of whom 17 306 registered as trade visitors and 1 329 came from 72 different countries. This means a five per cent rise in the number of trade visitors over the last event of the kind held in 1998. The number of exhibi-ting companies rose by 13 per cent to 1 325 and the number of stands increased by 10 per cent to 832. The fair occupied a net exhibition space of 40 245 m², or 10 per cent more than two years ago. Of this year’s direct exhibitors, 26 per cent were present for the first time. Visitors showed particular interest in the categories of hardware, hand and power tools, industrial and locksmiths’ requirements, and wood-working machinery.
Trends in home lighting
Lightstyle, the new international trade fair for living space lighting, will take place in Frankfurt for the first time from 22 to 25 April 2001. This forum is to be used for the presentation to trade visitors of an up-to-the-minute overview of trends and techniques in creative lighting for living and sleeping areas, bathrooms, kitchens and leisure spaces, for the home workplace and out-of-doors as well. Lightstyle will be held annually, though presented under the umbrella of Light + Build in even years.
Belgian DIY fair
DIY 2001 will take place in Kortrijk from 21 to 23 January 2001, not from 4 to 6 February 2001, as stated in some fair handbooks. This fair is a replacement for the earlier event, Do-it-yourself – Hardware & Omnimat.
Furniture and lighting
During the International Furniture Fair in Cologne from 15 to 21 January 2001 a total of 1 500 suppliers from around 50 countries will be showing the latest trends in furniture and lighting for the home. Approximately 60 per cent of the exhibitors come from abroad. During the first five days of the event – from 15 to 19 January – the furniture fair will be open to trade visitors only.
Hardware fair in Prague
Hardware Prague 2001 will be taking place from 22 to 24 February 2001, simultaneously with the established trade fairs Pragoligna (machinery, plant and tools for timber treatment and woodworking), EMFA (mechanical engineering equipment and materials) and Windows-Doors-Stairs, in order to take advantage of the synergetic effects and overlaps between these sectors. This year the fair was successful in recording over 21 000 visitors.