INHORGENTA MUNICH 2019 sees growth in bookings
The German trade show, which will take place from February 22-25, 2019, will see a number of first-time exhibitors, Project Manager Stefanie Mändlein tells Jewellery Outlook Editor David Brough.
Q: How are bookings by exhibitors progressing so far for the 2019 edition of INHORGENTA?
Stefanie: It is all looking very good. INHORGENTA MUNICH is continuing to experience strong growth figures. In 2018, we saw a rise of 4% – a total of 1,026 exhibitors from 42 countries joined us in Munich. In 2019 we will be able to improve on these impressive figures once again. We are naturally thrilled about that.
Q: What are the main reasons for the sharp rise in international exhibitors at INHORGENTA in 2019?
Stefanie: In recent years we have been working extremely hard on our overall concept. Creative processes within our INHORGENTA MUNICH team have resulted in lots of great ideas which we have been able to implement successfully. These include the Jewelry Shows and the introduction of the INHORGENTA AWARD, which has now not only become the most important award within the industry but also a kind of seal of quality and approval. These positive developments have not gone unnoticed amongst international exhibitors. As such, we are pleased to see the return to INHORGENTA MUNICH of the renowned Swiss watch brand Maurice Lacroix after a few years of absence as well as Bruno Söhnle from Glashütte.
Q: Can you give a few examples of the first-time exhibitors who will participate?
Stefanie: In the Timepieces sector, in addition to its main brand the Citizen Group will be bringing its Swiss brands Frédérique Constant and Alpina as well as the long-established American brand Bulova to Munich. We are also thrilled that renowned smartwatch manufacturer Garmin will be exhibiting for the first time. The well-known Italian jewelry brand Marco Bicego will also be debuting at INHORGENTA MUNICH in 2019.
Q: Will Brexit entice more UK jewelry and watch exporters to participate in INHORGENTA?
Stefanie: There are surely more unanswered questions surrounding Brexit at the moment than any other subject. Even we are still unable to predict what specific impact Brexit will have on INHORGENTA MUNICH. Traditionally, we have had lots of exhibitors and over 400 visitors from the UK. We sincerely hope to continue to see them at the trade fair in Munich in the future. So far, a total of 18 exhibitors from the UK have registered for 2019 along with a UK Pavilion.
Q: What is your projection for the trend in visitor numbers to the 2019 show?
Stefanie: At last year’s INHORGENTA MUNICH we welcomed around 27,000 visitors from over 70 countries. We were very pleased with that but, of course, we want to achieve higher visitor figures in 2019. We are very confident that we will manage it in the end.
Q: What will be the new and special features of the 2019 edition of INHORGENTA?
Stefanie: In the future there will not be seven but eight categories for the INHORGENTA AWARD. The new additional category is “Design Newcomer of the Year,” which is aimed at young designers. The new Watch Boutique will make its debut in the Timepieces sector, which will be hosted in Hall A1 measuring 11,000 m2. A total of eight exhibitors will be showcasing their latest designs and collections here: Alexander Shorokhoff, Ebel, MeisterSinger, Michel Herbelin, Mühle Glashütte, Sinn Spezialuhren, Staudt Watches and Tutima Glashütte. The central feature will be a bar with a lounge ambiance where industry professionals can meet and hold round-table discussions on the latest developments in the watch industry. We can already sense that the Watch Boutique will be a big hit.
Q: Why is the show a “must-attend“ event for buyers?
Stefanie: Quite simply, INHORGENTA MUNICH is the order platform for the industry. Many of the buyers continue to tell us how much they appreciate being able to interact directly with the jewelry and watch companies that are important for them. Of course, these days business can also be done online. However, even in the digital age, trusted and long-term partnerships are usually still built on face-to-face meetings allowing both sides to get to know each other. And our event provides the perfect opportunity for that, spread over four days. The supporting program, including the seminar program, also ensures that the knowledge tank continues to be replenished.
Q: What will be the highlights of the seminar program?
Stefanie: There will be quite a few. The former experience strategist for The New York Times will be revealing five tips on how to make a success of the digital transformation in the jewelry and watch industry. The former editor-in-chief of JCK magazine and current market analyst Hedda Schupak will be examining millennials’ relationship with luxury jewelry. Jutta Werling from BrazilGems ökofair will be reporting on fair-trade color gemstones; Jörg Gellner from Gellner will be giving us an insight into the pearl business, and the Israeli gemstone expert Edahn Golan will be giving us the low-down on diamonds. We have also got lots of other interesting items on the agenda which we will continue to update on our website.
Stefanie Mändlein, Project Manager of INHORGENTA Munich.
