The 29th International Trade Fair for Retail Promotions and Imports (IAW) in Cologne will take place from Monday, 25 to Wednesday, 27 February 2019 – one day earlier than originally planned. This means that the event will not clash with the start of the Cologne carnival and avoids the inevitable logistical issues that this would involve. “As the halls at the Cologne Exhibition Grounds were fully booked we had no alternative other than to stage our event in this particular week. Fortunately, by holding the event a day earlier we have been able to satisfy the concerns of our trade fair partners”, said IAW organizer, Kerstin Manke, explaining the changed date. The organizers of the parallel trade fair Asia-Pacific Sourcing decided to take the same action. Thus, over the three days of these trade fairs, visitors will be able to enjoy the spin-off benefits of both events, as has been possible three times in succession since 2015, when the decision was taken to hold these related events at the same time and place.
The International Trade Fair for Retail Promotions and Imports is Europe’s biggest trade fair for orders of promotional goods, trend-led products and top-selling merchandise. Over a period of three days approx. 9,000 trade visitors from around the world come to view the displays staged by 350 exhibitors from every product category and many countries from around the world. A 30,000 m² display area in Cologne Exhibition Halls 10.1 and 10.2 serves as a platform where competitively priced trend-led and impulse purchase products – including seasonal wares, toys and games, decorative items, cosmetics and body care, household goods and more besides – can be compared, tested and ultimately ordered.
Of course, thanks to the prestigious supporting program featuring panel discussions with high-calibre speakers, the IAW is much more than a retail trade event. Held on two stages, this program completes the unique IAW package of exhibition, congress and trade fair for orders. In addition, in the “e-commerce quarter” in Hall 10.1 visitors can meet providers of digital systems and services for online trade. Consequently, they can not only source merchandise for their online shops, but also find the most efficient tools and systems for their requirements and obtain information and advice on this sales channel from experts.
The parallel trade fair Asia-Pacific Sourcing bridges the European and Asian markets and provides a showcase for Asian manufacturers and suppliers of tools and products for the home, garden and leisure segments. In 2017, the seventh time this event was held, a total of 644 exhibitors from 14 countries and 7,300 trade visitors from 65 countries took part. Trade visitors to the IAW are also able to attend Asia-Pacific Sourcing free of charge. The two trade fairs are directly linked by walkways. In order to avoid queuing it is recommended that visitors register online for both the International Trade Fair for Retail Promotions and Imports (IAW) and Asia-Pacific Sourcing. Trade visitors who have not registered beforehand can obtain a three-day ticket for these events at the venue for 69 €.
The website www.iaw-messe.de offers further information and provides the opportunity to register online for free admission tickets.
