From 7-9 March 2017 exhibitors from across the world will meet trade fair visitors and buyers at the Cologne Exhibition Grounds. Trade professionals come here to source the promotional products and trend-setting merchandise that they will need to satisfy demand in the six months ahead. The 25th International Trade Fair for Retail Promotions and Imports (IAW) is now a well-established event and will not only provide buyers with the opportunity to stock up for the whole season, but also learn about current trends and developments from market experts. The coming spring will also see a repeat of the successful cooperation with the partner Asia-Pacific Sourcing, the trade fair for tools, household goods, garden and leisure products manufactured in Asia.
Halls 6 and 9 at the Cologne exhibition centre provide more than 300 exhibitors a 28,000 m² display area and the ideal conditions for showcasing trend-led products from a broad range of categories. The International Trade Fair for Retail Promotions and Imports ensures a unique array of ironmongery and other hardware goods, garden products, decorative items, toys and games, pet supplies, food and drink, computer accessories, seasonal products and more besides. Approx. 9,000 trade visitors are expected, and they will talk with trade professionals, place direct orders for the season ahead or commission the production of own brand (private label) products.
The trade fair offers plenty of attractions: catering stands that offer free refreshments, opportunities to develop new networks and the chance to participate in informative presentations at the IAW Trendforum. Another highlight will be the presentation of the prestigious IAW Trendseller Product Award. Exceptional products that stand out in terms of quality and trend-setting properties can always be found amongst the diverse range arrayed at the IAW and exhibitors can submit their offerings for the award. One of the other key attractions is the three-day Forum featuring numerous top speakers who will share their expertise and offer insider tips in the fields of marketing, sales and e-commerce. The IAW Spring Fair will see trade fair partners zentrada and restposten.de stage a program covering core issues, including success strategies for the trade – for example, how independent dealers (bricks and mortar and online) can survive the verticalisation and concentration of the sector. There are also plans for an e-commerce arena with hands-on talks from leading professionals.
There is every reason to expect that the past success of cooperation with the Asia-Pacific Sourcing fair will be repeated. The IAW is held parallel to Europe’s top trade fair for sourcing Asian products. In 2015 it attracted more than 650 exhibitors and 6,600 visitors showcasing Asian-made household goods, tools, as well as products from the leisure and gardening sector. The spin-off benefits accrued by the IAW through this cooperation are clear and substantial. This cooperation generates additional value for exhibitors and visitors alike.
In short, the 2017 Spring Fair, the 25th IAW, will serve as a market barometer, a networking platform and a trade fair where buyers place orders. More information and application forms for exhibitors, plus complimentary admission tickets for trade visitors, can be downloaded from www.iaw-messe.de.
