FRANKFURT, Germany–An estimated 72,000 visitors from more than 120 countries attended the just-completed Heimtextil, according to a statement from Messe Frankfurt, the show’s owner and manager.
The show presented products and trends from 2,521 exhibitors from 60 countries, the statement said. Of particular note was the level of international participation. Messe Frankfurt said 85 percent of the exhibitors were from outside of Germany, and the number of attendees from abroad rose 6 percent, to about 47,000, or about 65 percent of the total number of visitors. The number of German attendees remained stable at 25,000.
“Despite the difficult situation in the textile industry and the retail market, the fair was not only distinguished by a stable number of exhibitors, but also an increase in the number of visitors,” said Detlef Braun, member of the Messe Frankfurt board of management.
In addition, 71 percent of Heimtextil exhibitors and attendees surveyed by Messe Frankfurt had a positive view of the current economic situation, up from 56 percent at the 2009 trade fair. Braun said participants “are fed up with tales of woe, and were prepared to make active use of the fair to boost business by beginning the new year with fresh products, concepts and themes.”
