The previous editions of IAW, the International Trade Fair for Retail Promotions and Imports, made one thing very clear: the IAW is developing rapidly. More than 300 exhibitors, over 8,000 visitors from 55 countries and more and more new requests. To make a long story short: hall 10.2 in the Cologne exhibition grounds was bursting at the seams. As such, Europe’s leading orders fair for retail promotions, trendy articles and the volume business is relocating. It will take place from the 17th to the 19th of September 2013 in two halls and therefore offers the largest surface area in its history.
“We are, of course, delighted about the continuing positive development of the IAW,” says Ulrich Zimmerman, managing director of Nordwestdeutsche Messegesellschaft. “For several years in a row, we have succeeded in consistently increasing the number of exhibitors and visitors.” IAW’s exhibition team now offers new, attractive stands in halls 4.2 and 5.2. In September, IAW’s regular exhibitors will present themselves to an even wider public at the new location. At the same time, new exhibitors will also find the right space to call attention to their products. First and foremost, more surface area means a considerable expansion of the range of products that can be displayed. The IAW team finds it particularly gratifying that the trend towards internationalisation is continuing. Countless exhibitors from overseas have already signed up, either as a repeat visit or for the first time.
Halls 4.2 and 5.2 are located on one level and are connected via a modern glass passageway. The stream of visitors can therefore flow uninterrupted through the fair. IAW’s new spatial concept has been very well received, with the majority of the stands firmly booked.
More surface area and a wider selection – those aren’t the only things that IAW has to offer in September. There’s also an innovation to the specialist supporting programme. For the first time, there will also be a special event on Restposten.de along with the IAW Trendforum and the zentrada forum. Along with the zentrada.network’s established event, this also involves an additional forum concentrating primarily on the topic ‘online trading’. “The internet is becoming more and more important for traders in our industry. Naturally, we want to stay abreast of this trend,” Ulrich Zimmerman offers as an explanation for the programme expansion.
With the “children + youth” fair (19th – 22th September) and the Eu’Vend (19th – 21st September), the trade fair for the vending machine industry, two other fairs are taking place at the same time as the international trade fair for retail promotions and imports that could also be of interest to the IAW audience. “Book your hotel room in good time. Then you can travel to Cologne at your leisure and start using several relevant fairs for your business without delay,” Ulrich Zimmerman advises IAW guests.
