Contract Creations

The trade fair will present a broad range of product groups, from walls, windows and upholstery to flooring, sunscreens/decorations, tables, baths and beds, and cover virtually every conceivable field of textile applications. The increasingly important digital printing industry will play an outstanding role among the various special topics featured at the show.

In view of the more than 2,700 international exhibitors expected in Frankfurt, the Contract Guide containing some 350 entries for producers and exhibitors of home and contract products is an indispensable aid to orientation. As always, the Guide will be available free of charge. Visitors who do not have a copy of the Guide can refer to the Contract Creation signs that identify all of the relevant trade fair stands. These will be particularly helpful for people looking for listed companies specialising in furnishing solutions for hotels, restaurants and other spaces.

Those who prefer an inspiring general introduction to the exhibition will want to head straight for the Theme Park, which serves as a perfect, elaborately staged gateway to the world of current trends and future developments. The Theme Park was such a great success this year that it is being moved from Hall 4 to Hall 6 in 2016.

As in previous years, six experienced international trend agencies have joined forces to develop viable trend forecasts. Led by the US WGSN Group, the team known as the Heimtextil Trend Table agreed on the keynote theme of Well-Being 4.0 and the subtopics Protect, Energise, Nourish and Enrich. Always eagerly awaited, the Trend Book summarises their findings in a clear and readable form. It has proven its value as a compendium that provides support for architects, designers, producers and traders in their daily work.

Heimtextil is familiar with the needs and wants of its target groups and the exhibition programme is nuanced accordingly, with offerings ranging from opportunities for casual conversation with colleagues in the Community Area to highly informative lectures in the Conference Space. Daily special tours to the highlights of the trade fair will also be offered. Editors of industry journals and an experienced interior designer will guide small groups through the exhibition and convey carefully researched, specialised insights to interested visitors.

Another special feature is the Sustainability Competence Centre in Hall 8, known as the Green Village, where international experts will be speaking on such issues as fair production conditions and resource conservation, and certifying agencies will be on hand to explain the current importance of eco-seals.

Visitors interested in the creative work of international design firms will find what they’re looking for in the Design Live section in Hall 4.2. 200 exhibitors will be presenting models developed by their in-house designers and creative partners. European schools of design will be represented on the nearby Campus for the tenth year in 2016. A number of other sections will be devoted to such themes as furnishing concepts for hotels, interior design in general or wall decoration in particular. Visitors will simply have to decide for themselves.

Yet the inspiring potential of this trade fair will not be exhausted by the offerings mentioned above. The Young Creations Award competition for young designers on the subject of upcycling in interior furnishing (spaces or concepts) always has a surprise in store as well. In addition to students and graduates from European colleges and universities in the fields of interior architecture and design, young master craftsmen and master students in the room-furnishing trade are now eligible to participate for the first time.

The presentation of the Finest Interior Awards 2016 at a special show at the trade fair will also be worth seeing. Last year, the multi-member jury, which included trade-fair representatives, evaluated nearly 150 entries by international interior architects, interior designers and furnishers. Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies, will be on the jury for the 2016 Awards. The awards honour distinctive and holistic furnishings and decorations for new- and existing-building projects.

The full spectrum covered by Heimtextil is truly impressive. The programme of related events with the unpretentious title ‘Information Programme for Professionals’ meets the highest standards – and will be of equal interest to architects, hotel furnishers, interior designers and designers alike, regardless of whether they focus on the Theme Park, digital printing or innovative product solutions for furniture fabrics or sunscreen systems. Perhaps more than one architect will conclude that one day at the trade fair is not enough.