If you have a creative inside of you or you just enjoy having a nice hobby, well H+H Cologne is your must event. We have the great joy to share this interview with Katrin Schön, Director h+h cologne 2018. This event will be held between 23-25 of march, in Cologne -Germany.
The fair presents a BtoB Networking Platform. Could you explain about it?
h+h cologne is the leading international trade fair for creative handicraft and hobby supplies. Whereby the emphasis particularly lies on "international" - no other event brings the world of creative handicrafts together in one show to this extent.
This is also our USP. With over 420 exhibitors from around 40 nations, it is the largest ordering fair of its kind worldwide. The visitors from the specialised trade gain a comprehensive market overview here, which they can hardly find in any other place in the world in this form and quality.
What are the latest trends in creative supplies industry? Will these trends be exhibit also in the fair?
The handicraft industry has again and again impressively demonstrated its innovative power over the past years. I am thus convinced that the companies will once again present several exciting products and creative ideas again this year. So, the trade visitors can once again inform themselves in detail about the latest trends as well as about the wool, yarn, fabric and accessory collections for the upcoming season.
We will also see innovative materials and ergonomics. And particularly interesting for our trade visitors: At h+h cologne they can inform themselves about the latest marketing tools and talk with the professionals about how these can be effectively implemented in everyday business life.
What news have you prepared for the 2018 edition? What are the highlights?
The position of h+h cologne as an international platform will also be reflected in the event programme again this year. In "My lovely livingroom" the motto is "In 3 days around the world".
What are the handcraft trends in other parts of the world? How is the industry connected? We will address these and other themes in the context of the current challenges of the trade and will offer useful input for our B2B visitors: From the right implementation of social media, to the marketing of new handicraft techniques, through to tips on the successful design of shop windows - every visitor should be able to find what moves him forward - in addition to the innovations of our more than 420 exhibitors of course.
What are the advantages of exhibiting at H+H Cologne 2018?
With around 16,000 visitors from the specialised trade from over 70 countries, h+h cologne offers the companies the unique opportunity to present their products and services to a highly-qualified audience. Furthermore, h+h cologne boasts excellent market coverage. Whereas other events certainly have the competence to serve the local markets, the strengths of h+h cologne clearly lie in the export orientation of our exhibitors - not only of the German key players.
For example, here a Canadian does business with an Indian or a Swedish manufacturer sells his products to Russia.
Can you give us some tips to make the best out of visiting this event?
"Allow yourself plenty of time", would be my most important tip. Over 420 companies are presenting at this year's event. Occupying yourself with all of these offers alone takes time. Because many - especially the smaller companies - really do present innovative products that are worth inspecting in detail.
My second piece of advice: "Take even more time!" Since our event program offers a huge additional benefit that can be useful for the daily business of the specialised dealers.
For instance it would definitely be a shame to visit h+h cologne and not follow one or two of the lectures or an exciting discussion in our "My lovely livingroom" special area. And my last piece of advice: "Take even more time!" Because in addition to the business at h+h cologne, the city of Cologne has plent to offer to make a visit worthwhile.
How to apply to exhibit or attend?
Companies that want to exhibit will find all application forms for 2019 on our website, just after the trade fair already. Being quick of the mark pays off - for example everyone can benefit from our early bird rate up until 30.6 and reserve their stand area. Theoretically speaking though, one can register right up until the last day before the trade fair - provided that exhibition space is still available. This year we are virtually fully-booked.
As a visitor you can conveniently order your admission ticket from our online shop. Or simply ask an exhibitor for a free admission ticket voucher. All of the exhibitors benefit from the services of our marketing package, which also includes an unlimited number of admission ticket vouchers.
Lastly, can you give us some participation results from the last edition?
Last year 423 exhibiting companies from 42 countries presented at h+h cologne, 70% of whom came from abroad. In total, around 16,000 visitors from the specialised trade from 75 countries attended the fair. That was 10 percent more than in 2016.
The share of foreign visitors in 2017 was 38 percent. As such h+h cologne impressively underpinned its excellent significance as a leading international trade fair for the specialised trade of the textile handicraft industry.
