INHORGENTA MUNICH bookings sharply up
December 2017 – The 2018 edition of INHORGENTA MUNICH expects a rise in both visitor and exhibitor numbers, including almost 200 exhibitors attending the show for the first time, Stefanie Mändlein, Exhibition Director of INHORGENTA MUNICH, tells Jewellery Outlook Editor David Brough. She also talks about the “must-attend” features of the show next year, including a wide selection of topical industry forums.
How are bookings by exhibitors progressing so far for the 2018 edition of INHORGENTA?
Very positively! We currently have seven percent more bookings than at the previous year’s closing date. We have received more than 1,000 applications and in 2017 we had 987 exhibitors.
At the moment, there is some movement in the exhibition scene and naturally we hope that our concept, the diversity of our manufacturers and Munich as a metropolis and ideal location for trade shows, will be able to persuade a few more exhibitors to participate in the event.
Do you expect some first-time exhibitors to participate?
We are expecting not only a few but a great number of first-time exhibitors! We are delighted to be able to welcome 178 new exhibitors among the 1,000 applications received so far, and are expecting them with a great deal of excitement.They include well-known names like Niessing, Georg Jensen, Wenger, Piero Milano, Paul Wild and Arnoldi, but also newcomers like Spirit Icons and Fritsch Sterling who intend to take advantage of INHORGENTA MUNICH as a platform to get off to a flying start into the European market.What is your projection for the trend in visitor numbers to the 2018 show?
Obviously we hope that more exhibitors will automatically attract more visitors, especially with such a strong exhibitor environment predicted for 2018. With the INHORGENTA AWARD, our jewellery shows, the after-show parties and the pioneering INHORGENTA FORUM featuring lectures and forums on all important industry topics we are additionally offering attractive events.I hope visitors will say, “I must be there; I must not miss this event”. INHORGENTA MUNICH is intended to be the central order and networking platform – the place in which the European watch, jewellery and gemstone industry meets annually to exchange views and ideas, establish contacts for future business, develop ideas and celebrate together.What will be the new and special features of the 2018 edition of INHORGENTA?
This year we have mainly worked on the INHORGENTA FORUM in order to set up a truly interesting and relevant program with top-class speakers and I am very happy that we have succeeded in doing so.Alongside that we have strengthened the INHORGENTA AWARD. For example, we have added a category to better represent the watch industry. Our new exhibitors are very likely to make the biggest and most visible difference in the halls. We are looking forward to seeing the spectacular showcase of amber, brought to INHORGENTA by our partner country Poland.
Why is the show a “must-attend” event for buyers?
Firstly, by the exhibitor figures we are the biggest European trade show for watches, jewelry, precious stones and supplier industries.This means that there is nowhere with a greater choice and a wider product offer than at INHORGENTA MUNICH. Secondly, with our designer hall C2 we are offering Europe’s greatest diversity of fresh, exceptional ideas, designs and materials.Those who are looking for something special will most probably find it at our trade show.
Thirdly, we ensure unforgettable joint experiences among business partners and friends through our shows and events.
What’s more, buyers are equally interested in the general situation of the industry. They would like to know what is of growing importance and therefore many of them highly appreciate our seminar program too.
What will be the highlights of the seminar program?
There are plenty of highlights! This year we have pooled the seminar program under the title of INHORGENTA FORUM as the latter will devote half a day to each individual topic to take an in-depth look at it.The spectrum ranges from the effects of digitization to the success factors of online shops, through to trends and everything worth knowing about pearls, precious stones, smartwatches and wearables.There will also be daily panel discussions on the topic of “Digital Change” as it is such an important industry topic.
Nikolaus Röttger, Editor-in-Chief of the German edition of the magazine “Wired”, will report on the social significance of wearables.
René Kantehm, CEO of the Dürmeister Manufactory, will describe the experiences he made when building up an online shop for individualized watches.
Then Martin Dräger, CEO of the Unruly Group, asks: “Why digitalize? Business is still good, isn’t it?”
For the pearl, precious stone and diamond forums on Friday and Saturday we have been able to attract well-known participants like Dr. Joseph Taylor (Atlas Pearls and Perfumes), Dr. Laurent Cartier (SSEF) and Bruce Bridges (Bridges Tsavorite) again.
As you can see, it is certainly not easy to decide upon a highlight. However, I trust that visitors will find their very personal highlight in the program!
