The Möbelzentrum Westfalen (Barntrup/Germany), for many years an attractive location for furniture trade exhibitions during the trade fair season in East-Westphalia, sets a mark again. Coinciding with IMM Cologne, Möbelzentrum Westfalen is organizing a seminar about the characteristics, restrictions, and opportunities of the German and Central European furniture and home decoration market.
The center’s managing director, Peter H. Meyer, well-known to the industry as the inventor and driver of the international network of ZOW supply fairs, states: “Today fair organizers have to offer to their industries more than just the infrastructure for their exhibitions. Our goal is much more comprehensive: You should realize what special things you have to do as a foreign furniture producer in order to gain a foothold in the German market.” It is the intention of the Barntrup team to really open doors for their potential exhibitors and answer their questions: What is the right approach to enter into the German market? What is special here? Which role do the retail associations play as doorkeepers of the entrance to the distribution channels? Facts like market volumes and concentration, shares of product groups, distribution, key players, purchasing strategies, trade shows and sales platforms … all questions to be answered! Möbelzentrum Westfalen is proud to offer a free-of-charge participation in a seminar coinciding with the IMM Cologne Furniture Fair January 13 – 19. The lecturer, Mr. Gregor Noelle, former MD of one of the largest upholstery manufacturers in Europe, now a free-lance management consultant, knows all the tricks in the book. His subject: “What to know about the German furniture market: characteristics, restrictions, opportunities.” The location is only a few meters walking distance from the North- and East-exits of KoelnMesse, at the Radisson Blu Hotel Köln, on January 15, 2014, 6 – 8pm. Representatives from furniture companies interested in exporting to Central Europe are most welcome. Since the number of attendees is limited, advance registration is politely requested (e-mail to um@survey.info, fax to +49.521.122559).
Möbelzentrum Westfalen, Germany, is the destination ever since of the furniture retail from Central Europe in the sectors of pick-up and knock-down furniture, imported furniture from Europe and overseas for the volume markets (former name “Messepark Barntrup”). Starting in 2012 with the new name, a new product and marketing concept, and strongly enhanced customer services the new ownership of the venue and a new, well-experienced management aim to strengthen the profile of the Barntrup venue, with 31,000 m² of exhibition space the second largest in the East-Westphalia / Lippe region. Exhibitors find facilities not only for showrooms, but also storage/logistics and (sales-)offices.