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DOMOTEX
Interview: Sonia Wedell-Castellano, Global Director Domotex
“Many leading firms in the carpet industry will be exhibiting“
Carpet Home: Domotex 2023 will be opening its doors on 12 January. Rumours were abounding in the run-up to the fair, as people wondered: what is the status? Will relevant exhibitors be on hand whom visitors can look forward to seeing?
Sonia Wedell-Castellano: The eight halls of the Exhi- bition Centre will be occupied by over 720 exhibiting firms from 50 different countries, according to our ex- pectations. And that’s quite a strong number when you think about how difficult the conditions are right now.
SONIA WEDELL-CASTELLANO
To us however the main thing is quality; visitors need to know they will be seeing quality at the upcoming event. And the quality level is really high.
Many leading firms in the carpet industry will be exhib- iting at the upcoming Domotex. The handmade carpets area alone will feature such perennial, high-profile and top-flight exhibitors as Tisca Austria, ITKIB, ABC Italia, Battilossi and Ipektchi – all confirmed. And then there are Rezas, Botepp, Javi, Maison de l’Artisan and the Pakistan Trade Development Office. The machine- made carpets section will feature Oriental Weavers, Merinos, Ragolle, Balta Rugs, NK-Sales, Solomon Car- pet (Rasoul Isfahan) and Mc Three, among others.
Carpet Home: There’s an extensive programme of events as well, in addition to the exhibitors. What events and special shows are planned for visitors from the carpet industry?
Sonia Wedell-Castellano: We have a whole lot go- I / 2023
ing on. The Green Collection in Hall 23 represents the heart of Domotex 2023, where interested visitors can find out more about the exciting and inspiring changes underway in the carpet and flooring industries in pur- suit of sustainability. Our cooperation partner Raum- probe curated a materials presentation comprising part of this special exhibition area, and then there’s the Boden Schätze exhibit of prototypes created by textile science and designs students, illuminating the entire process from idea to finished carpet. Exploring ques- tions of the role of design in modern life, the students also address contemporary issues like environmental awareness, and practical considerations with textile floor coverings.
This coming January we will be getting together again at last for the Carpet Design Awards, presented for de- signer rugs of superior aesthetic appeal – and also for the Carpet Star awards for outstanding retailers.
With so much to see at Domotex, there will also be a lot to hear coming from up on the stage. I recommend listening to the talk entitled “Luxury Carpets Must Be Sustainable” to be given by Michael Christie, aka “The Ruggist”. A complete list of the conference presenta- tions will be posted on our website.
Carpet Home: Other industry fair organisers have avoided January as a month for holding events. What in your view is good about the date planned?
Sonia Wedell-Castellano: We too had considered waiting until sometime after January, but we talked to a lot of market players and then made the decision to go with it. After all, January has been the month for Domo- tex for 33 years and everybody is used to it – you don’t just go changing the timing without a compelling rea- son. A market survey we recently conducted confirms the correctness of this decision, which revealed that a clear majority of both exhibitors and visitors want to have it in January. We had an alternative date in mind of course just in case, for example if the pandemic be- comes problematic again. Luckily however we won’t be needing the fall-back date, so we will be getting into it again right as the new year starts. And for our exhibit- ing firms and industry visitors that means that we will again be the first to kick off the new year.
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PHOTO. DEUTSCHE MESSE