A “special mood” at the IPM

Around 60 000 visitors, or approximately five per cent more than a year ago, made their way to Essen, Germany, for the IPM 2011, which came to the end of its four-day run on Friday. The 1 508 exhibitors (2010: 1 511) came from 47 countries. There was talk of a “special mood” and “even euphoria” in the organisers’ summary. Moreover, the fair organisers emphasise that associations and institutions are increasingly tending to make use of the IPM as a central venue for their meetings. One example of this is provided by Edra, the European DIY Retail Association, which invited its members to get together within the framework of the fair this year.