Craft Focus - Dec 2017/Jan 2018 (Issue 64)

H+H COLOGNE TO TARGET KEY CRAFT AREAS h+h cologne will opens its gates in Cologne in March and all of the signs indicate that the international trade fair for creative handicraft and hobby supplies is going to add a further chapter to its success story. More than 320 companies have booked over 90 per cent of the planned exhibition space. “h+h cologne offers the international trade visitors a market overview that is unique in this form. The trade can establish new customer contacts, strengthen existing business relations and exchange ideas on the marketing concepts of tomorrow with professionals from all over the world more efficiently here than at any other fair,” says Catja Caspary, Vice President at Koelnmesse. In addition to the comprehensive industry offerings, the target- group specific supporting programme is considered to be one of the key factors of the fair’s success. High-quality speakers will pick up on the trend themes of the industry again next year and acknowledged experts will present information and strategies that are tailored to meet the needs of the trade. The offer will once again be rounded off by a trend fashion show put on by the members of Initiative Handarbeit (Handicraft Initiative), a target group-oriented workshop programme, as well as numerous special activities with artists and various institutions. 2017 saw a record attendance of more than 16,000 top decision- makers and buyers from 75 countries visiting, and the number of visitors from abroad rose by 16 per cent. “The continual growth in the number of trade visitors and exhibitors as well as the ever-increasing internationalisation confirm impressively the outstanding significance of h+h cologne as the leading international trade fair of the textile handicraft industry,” commented Katharina C. Hamma, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH. Handicrafts continue to be a popular leisure time activity. This can also be seen from the market figures, which the association Initiative Handarbeit announced in Cologne. The DIY scene is changing, and becoming more diversified, younger and more closely networked. Today, consumers are increasingly surfing the web and looking for new ideas. Suppliers and distributors should work together much more closely online and offline in order to optimally serve the consumers. To find out more visit hh-cologne.com THE ONLY FRENCH ANNUAL EVENT DEDICATED TO THE NEEDLE AND CRAFT MARKET AEF PRO PARIS is a professional event of the craft, haberdashery and textile market in Paris. This is its 9 th year and it will be held at the same time as Aiguille en Fête. B2C show. Joining the two shows together gives AEF PRO a more dynamic and innovative business model, and makes it a major annual meeting place but allowing the two shows to keep their own identity yet with and obvious synergy between the two. At the show you can meet French but also international suppliers, wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers, as well as new designers and increase your network on the French craft market. Discover the trends and new products for the forthcoming year. The trade exhibition show brings together designers in textile and craft creation, yarn, haberdashery, fabric, thread, embroidery, patchwork, sewing machines but also scrapbooking, beads, cardboard, decoration, and other creative activities complementary to the textile world. To find out more visit the website aef-pro-paris.com PARTNER FOR CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION The Taipei International Gift and Stationery Show (Giftionery Taipei) is the only and leading international gift and stationery show in Taiwan, rolls out its 72nd edition at the Taipei World Trade Exhibition Hall 1 in April, 2018. The 2017 show attracted more than 514 exhibitors and 18,000 visitors, including 1,374 overseas buyers (an 18 per cent growth for the later). Highlights include a pre- show press conference, hot product launches, most popular product awards, seminars on global design trends and retail expansion and innovation workshop, one-to-one matchmaking meetings, and DIY workshops. Potential exhibitors need to register for booth space before 31 st December, 2017 and to get a 15 per cent early bird discount. Easy visitor registration online is available at giftionery.net . 30 craft focus