International Hardware Fair/Practical World

With just short of 75 000 trade visitors from 140 countries (2004: 114), the International Hardware Fair/Practical World 2006 ended its four-day run with an impressive balance sheet: with figures showing a slight improvement on the results of the 2004 event, emphatic confirmation of its status as the world's leading fair for trends and innovations in the categories of tools, security systems, locks and fittings, plus builders' and DIY supplies, and the continuation of its expansion in terms of internationality. This is the conclusion reached by Koelnmesse in its final report. "The international figures are outstanding. We have an increase of more than 60 per cent in visitors from South America, an increase from the USA of 26 per cent and almost 20 per cent more visitors from Asia. And there is a new stream of visitors to Cologne from eastern Europe," reported Oliver P. Kuhrt, Koelnmesse's executive vice president.
From 5 to 8 March 2006 there were 3 491 exhibitors, 78 per cent of them from abroad, from 58 countries displaying their latest product innovations and service trends in the categories of tools, security systems, locks and fittings, plus builders' and DIY supplies on a gross exhibition space of 255 000 m². The next International Hardware Fair/Practical World will be held in Cologne from 9 to 12 March 2008.