try is devoted to its flagship show, asDOMOTEX consistently delivers the goodswith a top-grade, extensive range of offer-ings. Appearing at DOMOTEX 2005 was abig success for one and all – one exhibitorreported receiving “overseas orders by thecontainer-load.”

1,244 participating exhibitors from 57countries (compared with 1,185 exhibitorsin 2004) occupied 12 exhibition halls atDOMOTEX 2005, which ran from 15 to 18January. There, they presented the entirespectrum of the international floor cover-ings industry, including hand-made car-pets/area rugs,machine-made woven car-pets, textile and resilient floor coverings,wood and parquet floors, laminated floorcoverings, fibers, yarns, textiles, naturalstone and ceramic tiles. Once again, thespecial shows at DOMOTEX exerted strongvisitor appeal, and many exhibitors let theflair of the special presentations flow overinto the setup at their own stands.

No. 1 April 2005

messenews

58 percent of an overall total of 43,855trade visitors came from abroad. 66 per-cent were there to find out more aboutthe newest products and services, and 82percent were already planning to returnfor DOMOTEX 2006. The exclusive char-acter of DOMOTEX is also reflected in thecommitment of its visitors: 42% of themattend no other floor coverings show be-sides DOMOTEX!

Numerous events, conferences and as-sociation meetings offered an addition-al opportunity to trade information andrenew contacts.

Top Annual Flooring Event

You can save a considerable amountby registering early for DOMOTEX2006 – by 30 April 2005. And to findout how you can save even moremoney by signing a two-year rentalcontract, turn to page 3.

Trendsetting DOMOTEX sweeps industry off its feet

Register early and get a discount!

DOMOTEX 2006

A high rate of international exhibitor andvisitor participation, a comprehensive pro-gram featuring countless new develop-ments, plus scads of promising businessleads – this was the take on DOMOTEX2005. As one big-name exhibitor put it,“DOMOTEX 2005 is the highlight of theyear, an event that inspires our industry.”The positive response by exhibitors and vis-itors and the upbeat mood at the event pro-vides added motivation for the DOMOTEXteam in organizing the next DOMOTEX,which runs from 14 to 17 January 2006 inHannover, Germany.

84 percent of exhibitors at the most re-cent event confirmed their plans to takepart again at DOMOTEX 2006. The indus-

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floorforum – perfect display forthe sensesThe floorforum exhibitor initiative in Hall 3 offered a particularly fine impressionof the latest developments. Internationallyrenowned designer Ulf Moritz wowed vis-itors with his five lifestyle zones. Here, as in other exhibition halls, the red tonesdominated. Arthur Zocher, in charge ofpurchasing at the Dodenhof company inPosthausen and Kaltenkirchen, summedup his impression of the successful inter-play of floor coverings, furnishings and ac-cessories at the floorforum and adjoiningcompany stands as follows: “We had 22salespeople making a sweep of DOMOTEX,and they discov-ered some sensational in-novations.” Including, of course, at thefloorforum.The positive response to this specialshow has given participants renewed im-petus for a repeat staging in 2006.

contractworld – a mustfor decision makers in thecontracting businessThe special mix of current projects, inter-esting product presentations, talks andworkshops all add up to the success of thisspecial event. Architects and interior de-signers from around the world convergedon the fifth and biggest-ever contractworld2005, running again this year under theslogan of “Visions for Offices, Hotels andShops”, there to find out about the numer-ous innovative new products at companystands.

With around 2,000 participants, thecontractworld.congress ranks among

After taking the furniture and fashionworlds by storm,the Seventies are now alsomaking a big impact on floor coverings.Strong colors, playful floral designs andrichly textured surfaces are competing withwarm, natural color tones, delicate orna-mentation and understated woven struc-tures.Flokati rugs in particular are making acomeback,with fiber strands made of wool,rubber bands,nappa leather or felt.New de-velopments on the materials front includefibers made of cactus or nettles and newmixtures of wool, jute, sisal and silk. Relief-style elements worked into the rugs includeflowers, stone and braids as well as alu-minum,brass or exotic wood “inlays.”High-grade carpets made of suede and smoothleather are becoming a furnishing item.“People are ready for the finer things again.They’re investing once more in high qual-ity,”says Johannes Schulte,Chairman of theExecutive Board at Vorwerk Teppichwerkein Hamelin, Germany.

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Europe’s largest annual gatherings for theindustry.Stars from the international archi-tecture scene were on hand to report ontheir current projects.

Endowed with a purse of EUR 50,000,the contractworld.award – Europe’s mostprestigious architectural award – honored14 winners from Great Britain, the Nether-lands, Switzerland, Spain, the U.S. and Ger-many.Attention: Any architects, interior design-ers or property developers or builders wish-ing to compete for a contractworld.award2006 should note the registration deadlineof 24 June 2005.

Seventies look now conquers floor coverings as well – Carpet becomes key furnishing item – Special shows reflect new trends

Flower power plus flokati rugs

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Can’t beat those Brits!Teams from the UK, Switzerland and Germany competed in the EuropeanTeam Floorlaying Competition in atest of practical skills. Over a three-day period, contestants were re-quired to lay laminate floors, carpettiles, carpeting and PVC flooring. Thejury finally gave the nod to the UKteam – same as last year!

Trade visitors by branch of industry*Retailing 23 %Wholesaling 30 %Skilled trades 24 %Interior furnishers 7 %Parquet and wood floorers 17 %Painters 2 %

Furniture and furnishing shops 2 %

Architects, interior designers,contracting specialists 7 %

Department stores, mail order, DIY2 %Industry 19 %Other services 6 %* More than one reply possible

Breakdown of foreign visitorsEuropean Union 52 %Eastern Europe 4 %Rest of Europe 11 %East Asia 13 %Near and Middle Asia 7 %America 8 %Australia, Oceania 3 %Africa 2 %

DOMOTEX 2005 in numbers:

“DOMOTEX is a meeting place for inter-national decision-makers who want tosee how the latest trends translate intotangible on-the-floor products.The showhas brought us an enormous number ofnew customers.“Peter Schwartze, Teppich-Werk NeumünsterGmbH, Germany

“Right now we’re gaining exposure tothe Russian market. We’ve already wonseveral new customers at DOMOTEX2005 – including from Eastern Europe.”Ulla Kujala, VM-Carpet Oy, Finland

“Our key annual business is launched atDOMOTEX. This is where all the big or-ders come in. For us it’s the most impor-tant show of all.”Jan Kath, Jan Kath Design GmbH, Germany

“As a manufacturer of glass mosaics, wewere especially attracted to contract-world. It is important to keep in contactwith the pros.“Alessandro Foschini, Trend Group S.p.a., Italy

“One of the major pluses at DOMOTEX isthe Skilled Trades Forum, with its array ofindependent experts.We’ll be back againnext year.”Dr. Jörn Haferkorn, Berger-Seidle SiegeltechnikGmbH, Germany

“DOMOTEX has once again proven to bean absolute must for the laminated flooring sector.”Ludger Schindler, Chairman of the EuropeanAssociation of Laminated Flooring Manufacturers,Germany

“This is where all the bigorders come in.”

Exhibitor reactions toDOMOTEX

Anyone who registers for DOMOTEX2006 by 30 April will save EUR 3 persquare meter of registered standspace off their one-year rental con-tract.

Holders of a two-year rental con-tract get an even bigger discount: youcan save from EUR 12 to 14 per squaremeter, depending on the type ofstand. For exact details on prices andconditions, contact your DOMOTEXteam.

And there is even an additional ad-vantage to registering early: after 30April, the DOMOTEX team will beginallocating hall floor space, so it’s obvi-ously in your best interests to get inearly with your special requests.

by registering early for two years!

carpet.Performance – spotlight on the customerThis year’s carpet.Performance wasstrategically located in Hall 15, in closeproximity to the stands of rug importersand exporters. The show featured shopsituations and talks on the best tech-niques for presenting rugs in a retail set-ting. A repeat performance at next year’sshow is already under discussion.

DOMOTEX Workshop andSkilled Trades ForumThis year again, the presentation conceptbehind the DOMOTEX Workshop wascompletely confirmed. With a total of 18practice-oriented presentations daily, thespecial show was a key focal point for in-dustry representatives and members ofthe skilled trades.

Following its successful premiere in2004, the Skilled Trades Forum (ForumHandwerk) once again drew crowds ofprofessionals with its “Master Talks” onthe practical aspects of installing screed,parquet and other flooring solutions.

Visitors can look forward to both ofthese program highlights being backagain next year.

Save double

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Our services for your successful showing

Dr. Andreas Gruchow(Senior Vice President)

Susanne Klaproth(Director)

Birgit Wesseloh (Secretariat)Phone: +49-511/89-3 21 31birgit.wesseloh@messe.de

Christine Leihkauf (Project Assistant)Phone: +49-511/89-3 12 12christine.leihkauf@messe.de

Sabine Stiehler (Project Assistant)Phone: +49-511/89-3 12 15sabine.stiehler@messe.de

For textile and resilient floor coverings,the contract sector, fibers, yarns and fabricsMonika Arnold (Project Manager)Phone: +49-511/89-3 12 14monika.arnold@messe.de

For woven carpets/area rugs (machine-made)Christiane Grobe (Project Manager)Phone: +49-511/89-3 12 17christiane.grobe@messe.de

For wood and parquet flooring,laminated coverings, laying equipment,cleaning and applications technologyStefan Handwerk (Project Manager)Phone: +49-511/89-3 21 39stefan.handwerk@messe.de

For hand-made carpets/rugsAndreas Grüber (Project Manager)Phone: +49-511/89-3 12 13andreas.grueber@messe.de

Fax: +49-511/89-3 12 19domotex@messe.deFeel free to contact your local DeutscheMesse AG representative as well.

YOUR DOMOTEX TEAM

IMPRINT:Published by: Deutsche Messe AGPresse und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit

D-30521 HannoverAndreas Grüber (in charge)Photos: Deutsche Messe AG

Printed by: Schlütersche Druck GmbH& Co. KG, Langenhagen

Reproduction of the text is authorizedon condition that the source is

indicated; voucher copy requested.

Deutsche Messe AG supports you every step of the way

Communication and advertisingservicesYour accomplishments are somethingto crow about – above all at a tradeshow. Start planning your campaign forDOMOTEX 2006: from ads in trade pub-lications and targeted invitation cam-paigns for existing and potential cus-tomers to highly visible advertising atthe exhibition center and listings in thetrade fair catalogue. Be sure to capturethe attention of your customers well inadvance of the show.

We have the right solutions for you,and are happy to help out with adver-tising materials and attractive mediawith a decisive reach.

Relaunched website:www.domotex.deThe Internet has become a key source ofinformation for DOMOTEX visitors andexhibitors. At DOMOTEX 2005 the num-ber of hits over the four-day show morethan tripled to reach over 134,000.Keep on top of the latest developmentsthroughout the year by regularly visit-ing our redesigned website at:www.domotex.de.

Travel and accommodationsRely on Travel2Fairs as your partner forall your travel plans – contact them fora comprehensive set of services at rea-sonable prices.Information and reservations at:Travel2Fairs GmbHPhone: +49-5 11/3 36 44 510Info@travel2fairs.comwww.travel2fairs.com

To guarantee an optimum outing foryour company at DOMOTEX 2006,Deutsche Messe AG offers you its activesupport at every turn. Before, during andafter the show you’ll find the exhibitorservices of Deutsche Messe AG at yourside – with a tailored approach to fit yourneeds. Read on for just a few examples ofhow you can insure your trade show suc-cess at an early stage:

Stand construction services Save time and money: take advantage ofour experience and know-how at DeutscheMesse AG by renting a shell-scheme standin a variety of attractive options.And to outfit your stand, you can also or-der furniture and equipment from us –from a chair to an upholstered armchair,from a refrigerator to a compact-sizedkitchen. Customize it!

DOMOTEX asia: Gain a foothold onthe expanding markets of Asia!

www.domotexasiachinafloor.com