The third edition of ZOW – the supplier fair for the furniture and interior design industry – will take place from 8 to 10 February 2022 in Bad Salzuflen, Germany, under the management of Koelnmesse. In a joint interview, representatives from the organiser, Koelnmesse GmbH, and event host, Messe Ostwestfalen GmbH, emphasised the importance of ZOW for the furniture industry.
COVID-19 continues to hold sway over economic activity, but organisers expect the situation will gradually ease as we look towards 2022. This prospect is especially encouraging for business platforms such as trade fairs, which have been subject to a long enforced break, have often ultimately had to be rescheduled or have tried to support innovation cycles as hybrid, or more commonly, purely virtual events. The next ZOW supplier fair in February 2022 will therefore be one of the first to allow in-person interaction again, making it the furniture industry’s most important business-to-business event. The fair will see rekindled contacts, personal face-to-face discussion, communication and the presentation of many new developments from supplier companies – some of them long delayed.
As a communication network and creative workshop for the suppliers of the furniture industry, as well as a trade fair where orders are secured, ZOW takes place at the heart of the German furniture industry. For reasons of geographical proximity alone, it is of great strategic importance for a large proportion of companies operating in Germany’s furniture and, in particular, kitchens industries with respect to their product innovation cycles. This makes ZOW one of the most vital business platforms – not only for Germany, but also for central Europe in general.
Next year, the fundamental concept of the trade fair will be retained, but some aspects will be significantly further developed.
“If you want to be fit for the future, you must also have the courage to change. That is why we are opening up ZOW for individual stand construction and also removing the stand area limit subject to certain conditions,” said Maik Fischer, Director of ZOW at Koelnmesse.
Niko Ott (Ott-Design) and Andreas Bielefeld, whose many years of experience include senior roles at Steinhoff and Nobilia, will be on hand to support the organisers of ZOW 2022 – across the industry and especially through their local presence in Ostwestfalen-Lippe. With their proven industry expertise and exceptional network, they will help to attract new exhibitors to ZOW 2022.
“We will turn the current situation to our advantage. The lack of in-person trade fairs in our segment for two years has created a tremendous pent-up urge to take action. ZOW 2022 will be the first opportunity to ease this pressure with a dazzling display of new product developments and intense business discussions,” said Andreas Bielefeld.
As part of a global trade fair family, ZOW will also benefit in years to come from a strong network as well as positive and close relationships with exhibitors and visitors. Koelnmesse and Messe Ostwestfalen are therefore convinced that ZOW 2022 will showcase not only well-known market leaders but also a multitude of hidden champions and start-ups with surprising concepts. In terms of content, the business event focuses on the hot topics affecting the furniture and supplier industries: digitalisation and smart living, sustainability, environment and climate, hygiene, air and water quality, mobility and logistics, as well as the continuing trend towards a fusion of interior spaces in an increasingly urban world.
