The last IAW Spring Fair – the International Trade Fair for Retail Promotions and Imports in Cologne – has come to a successful conclusion. Now the focus is on planning the autumn event, which will transform Halls 6 and 9 of the Cologne Exhibition Centre into an international hub for retailing from 20-22 September 2017. Trade visitors and exhibitors from all over the world will come to this showcase for promotional products for the autumn and winter seasons. The event is much more than an exhibition of merchandise – significantly it is Europe‘s biggest trade fair for orders and the place where huge volumes of products are sold.
Approx. 9,000 trade visitors, mainly buyers from the wholesale, retail and mail order sectors, will be attracted to the 28,000 m² array of products staged by international suppliers and manufacturers. Companies – big and small – from across Europe, America and Asia representing the entire sector will come to Cologne. The diversity of the IAW, which covers all product segments, is the guarantee of the trade show‘s sustained success and ensures that exhibitors reach their target groups. It is this which makes the IAW such an effective platform for sales and orders. Every sector is covered, including games and toys, gift items, jewellery, beauty and body care, food, household goods, clothing and textiles – and more besides. The outstanding display has earned the IAW the reputation of being Europe’s most important showcase for each sector and the trade as a whole. At the last trade fair, the segment “Private Label” (or own labels) was added to the IAW line-up with already more than 30 suppliers from this sector.
Although the International Trade Fair for Retail Promotions and Imports is primarily a commercial fair where orders are taken, it also features an attractive supporting program enjoyed by visitors and exhibitors alike. The opening day of the event sees the presentation of the Trendseller Product Award at the IAW Trendforum. Among all the products that can be discovered at the IAW a jury of experts will be looking for those which stand out most due to their quality and innovativeness. Former prize-winners have enjoyed excellent sales of their prize-winning products, undoubtedly helped by the IAW award. The IAW also features a broad and highly informative program of talks held by recognized experts. The program offers information and insider tips in the areas of marketing, sales and e-commerce. Participation is free of charge.
IAW serves as a sales and orders fair, trend barometer and hub for experts – a unique combination that will again make the 26th IAW a hotspot for the trade this autumn. The organizers expect more than 330 exhibitors, so they are stressing the importance of booking stand space as soon as possible to secure a place. Due to the busy schedule of the Cologne venue the IAW will, unusually, take place from Wednesday – Friday in September. For further details, registration forms and orders for complimentary admission tickets for visitors, visit www.iaw-messe.de.
