DOMOTEX, the leading trade show for carpets and floor coverings, is set to restart in 2022. The flooring industry’s first live event since the pandemic will be staged in the southern part of the Hannover Exhibition Center from 13-16 Jan 2022, with various virtual participation options also available.
As a compact trade show, DOMOTEX 2022 will give the global DOMOTEX community the first chance to reunite and explore the latest products and trends since the start of the pandemic. To make this possible, admission is governed by “3G” regulations – a German acronym standing for proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test result – and strict health and hygiene measures in place throughout the site.
“Many of our exhibitors and market partners are interested in getting together again to kick things back into high gear. Others are still facing pandemic-related challenges and risks that they regard as possibly limiting when it comes to on-site participation. And various prevailing circumstances such as unresolved political and economic issues affecting parts of the world are creating market uncertainties. This means that many exhibitors have decided not to take part in DOMOTEX again until January of 2023,” explained Sonia Wedell-Castellano, global director of DOMOTEX at Deutsche Messe. “Despite this, we have opted to take a confident and forward-looking approach by staging DOMOTEX in 2022. The show will be concentrated and compact, with adjustments made to the hall and site layouts.”
On-site event with options for virtual participation
Two of the show’s display categories – namely for handmade carpets and rugs and for machine-woven carpets – are being brought together in Halls 11 and 12. All of the special formats promoted so far will be staged as planned, at locations in either Hall 11, 12 or 13. The exhibitors assigned to Halls 11 and 13 thus remain unaffected by the changes. Exhibitors of installation and application technology will now be in even closer proximity to their customers in Hall 13.
For both exhibitors and their guests from around the world, the new hybrid tradeshow concept for DOMOTEX gives rise to a wide array of new digital services and virtual participation options. All those unable to travel to the show in person will be able to take part virtually. For example, the DOMOTEX TV format launched at the previous DOMOTEX has been expanded and now includes an online conference programme for the entire duration of the show, featuring live presentations, interviews and panel talks. The conference programme to be moderated by Berlin-based TV presenter Yasmine Blair will be streamed live from Hall 12. There will also be a setting featuring multiple stages and a catered networking lounge for attendees.
Hygiene and infection prevention measures
For every aspect of the DOMOTEX experience, measures are in place to ensure the health and wellbeing of all participants at on-site restaurants, throughout the exhibition halls and even at hotels. Admission to DOMOTEX will be subject to presenting either proof of immunisation against or recovery from COVID-19, or else a recent negative test result.
The measures in place are referred to in Germany as “3G”, which stands for “geimpft, genesen, getestet” (vaccinated, recovered or tested). All persons on site will be required to provide their details for contact tracing purposes, and to keep a distance of at least 1.5m from others at all times. To facilitate compliance with distancing regulations, ample space will be provided in all entrance areas, exhibition halls and conference and meeting rooms. Hand sanitizer dispensers will be strategically placed throughout the grounds. Door handles, handrails and other frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected at regular intervals, as will restrooms.
All persons will be required to wear medical-grade face masks, such as FFP2 or OP, while indoors. All entrances, exhibition halls and conference rooms will be continuously ventilated using state-of-the-art technology. Everyone attending the event in person will be instructed on the applicable hygiene and safety dos and donts.
Deutsche Messe will stage the event in close collaboration with the responsible health authorities. Medical professionals will be on site around the clock.
