After having to cancel DOMOTEX two years in a row due to the pandemic, DOMOTEX 2023 proved once again that it remains the industry’s most important trade, innovation, and trend platform. During 12 to 15 January 2023, world’s leading trade fair for carpets and floor coverings, trade visitors discovered new innovations and trends.
After four eventful days, DOMOTEX 2023 closed its doors on January 15, 2023. Sustainability, internationality, and visitor quality were the hallmarks of this year’s event. Exhibitors, visitors, and organizers all agree: DOMOTEX 2023 was a resounding success.
“We are overwhelmed by the positive response as well as the energetic spirit of this year’s DOMOTEX. The atmosphere in the halls is so super – exhibitors and visitors alike are delighted to finally come together again at their industry trade show to meet face-to-face, exchange ideas, make new contacts and close deals,” says Sonia Wedell-Castellano, Global Director DOMOTEX. “What also pleases me is that the quality of visitors at the show is outstanding. After all, the decision-maker share is 80%. Those who come to DOMOTEX come with very specific intentions.”
As a ‘must-attend’ event, Michael Roithner, central buyer for floor coverings and carpets at POCO Einrichtungsmärkte GmbH, uses DOMOTEX to meet existing and potential suppliers in the shortest possible time – this time especially those he has not been able to visit in the last two years. As determined by a visitor survey audited by FKM, around half of the decision-makers place orders with exhibiting companies during their stay at DOMOTEX. Even during the current show, two-thirds of trade visitors said they would visit the next DOMOTEX in Hannover in January 2024 again.
Exhibitors delighted with high attendance and visitor quality
On the exhibitor side, the first DOMOTEX in three years also clearly exceeded expectations. “We were pleasantly surprised by the number of visitors we welcomed to our stand after the pandemic. We did not expect such a lively turnout this year due to the difficult world situation. For DOMOTEX 2024, we would like to see an even stronger event with a united flooring industry,” reveals Niklas Håkansson, Managing Director of Välinge.
Jelena Đugum, Director of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce is sure that “the results of this year’s DOMOTEX will give a tailwind to the Croatian wood industry.” Positive feedback also from Lydia Bober, Head of Marketing and PR at SELIT Dämmtechnik GmbH: “For us it was the right decision to be here. The contacts we make at DOMOTEX are very valuable for us.”
A spirit of optimism also prevails in the RUGS exhibition area. “Our customers have been isolated for a long, long time. It’s very important for us and our colleagues to be here, shaking hands and showcasing our products,” says Reza Rejaye, general manager of Reza’s Oriental & Modern Rugs. Oriental Weavers has also been waiting a long time for DOMOTEX to return, reports Yasmine Khamis, President of Oriental Group, “We are super excited to be here. We already had a great day on the first day of the show.” For her, DOMOTEX is ‘a place where everyone comes together: Customers, suppliers, competitors, everyone.’
Sustainability is a common thread running through the exhibition halls
At DOMOTEX 2023, the special show THE GREEN COLLECTION and the conference program DOMOTEX on Stage under the guiding theme FLOORED BY NATURE formed the heart of the event – this is where the megatrend of sustainability was staged and discussed. The special area was particularly popular with architects, interior designers, and buyers, as Joachim Stumpp, Managing Director of raumprobe, confirmed. Visitors to the materials show were particularly impressed by ‘the variety of materials on display and the associated possibilities for sustainable design.’ Ina Nikolova of Berlin-based architects KINZO was also enthusiastic about the special show: “DOMOTEX 2023 presents so many important topics in one area and provides essential impetus – including in the conference program – that I can integrate into my own work.”
The sustainable focus was also reflected in the exhibitors’ product offerings. The guiding theme fit very well with the focus of the Münsterland-based company ter Hürne, emphasized Managing Director Bernhard ter Hürne. “We welcome the value-based orientation of DOMOTEX, which emphasizes living-healthy flooring solutions.”
DOMOTEX 2024 – greener, stronger, united
“We have absolutely struck a chord with our key theme this year and the new special show. My team and I are looking forward to further expanding THE GREEN COLLECTION at the upcoming DOMOTEX 2024,” announces Sonia Wedell-Castellano. “We will continue to expand our collaborations with industry experts such as TFI, offer wholesalers a presentation area, refocus more on contract furnishers and architects, and so on. In short, our concept will ensure that DOMOTEX 2024 remains the hub for carpets and flooring that there is simply no way around.”
DOMOTEX 2024 will take place from 11 to 14 January at the Hannover exhibition center.
DOMOTEX Facts: Getting down to business
Large Concentration of Decision-Makers
Despite the broad range of themes and the strong presence of DOMOTEX in consumer press, radio, and television, the ratio of professional trade visitors to regular attendees is high at 95.3 percent. This clearly demonstrates that doing business is the foremost goal.
Broad Range of Visitors
Any company in the industry, whether smaller firms or enterprises with over 10,000 employees, can find a suitable platform at DOMOTEX – and that applies to fields of responsibility, too. Company management, research and development, assembly and production, purchasing etc. all meet here.
International Audience
It pays to come to Hannover: Two-third of attendees come from outside Germany – and more than half of them come from outside the EU. In 2020, Great Britain, India, Turkey, Netherlands, and USA led visitor statistics. This is how DOMOTEX achieves its global pull.
Large Variety
Cozy carpets, classy parquet flooring, magnificent oriental carpets, and stylish designer floor coverings: As a leading international trade fair, DOMOTEX presents the world’s top flooring trends.
The Digital Boom
The industry estimates that the importance of online commerce has grown by 61.6 percent in the past years. In line with this, the interest of professional visitors in products and services related to digital themes such as visualization and planning software or sales support tools has also risen.
Strong Visitor Loyalty
The number of returning and first-time visitors to DOMOTEX are about even. Repeat exhibitors therefore have the opportunity to develop new target groups while at the same time fostering their existing contacts. 42.1 percent of professional attendees are return visitors.
Creative Hotspot
With its annual keynote theme, DOMOTEX shines a spotlight on innovative ideas and developments dealing with the very latest megatrends. Through FLOORED BY NATURE in 2023 DOMOTEX describes the importance of nature and floors for our overall sense of well-being.
Top Notch Programme of Events
DOMOTEX provides everything that visitors need for their businesses. Experts hold talks on a diverse range of current trends. In daily Guided Tours with renowned architects and designers, visitors can gain background knowledge. Meeting areas are available for networking in lounge-like surroundings.
In Numbers:
- 730 exhibitors
- 69 % international visitors
- 80 % decision makers
DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR rescheduled to July 2023
DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR will take place from 26 to 28 July 2023, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, bringing back the high-quality event to the flooring industry.
In the 2023 edition that marks the 25th year of consecutive DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR shows, new and well-loved highlights and events will be complementing the industry’s biggest gathering in the Asia Pacific region. Z-Space, is the newest DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR showcase, bringing all aspects of multi-dimensional spaces in the spotlight by covering various categories of the floor-wall-ceiling concept. The Hosted Buyers Programme will introduce once again both onsite and online quality buyers to some of the top flooring manufacturers from the region. The hosted buyers that will opt for the onsite option will be enjoying free accommodation in Shanghai along with a VIP status at the exhibition, among other benefits. Finally, the China Flooring Industry Summit Forum, will be held once again, with 23 renowned experts and outstanding entrepreneurs as speakers. Their presentations and discussions will be attended by high ranked professionals representing more than 200 flooring companies in China among others.
