Supporting programme offers a lot of know-how for specialists from the industry and trade

 Locks Association of Taiwan (LAT)

Supporting programme offers a lot of know-how for specialists from the industry and trade

From 28th February to 3rd March 2010, the INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR COLOGNE will cater for the hardware market's needs in terms of supply and demand on a global scale. In addition to showcasing a broad range of products from the areas of Tools, Industrial Supply, Fastening & Fittings, Locks & Fittings and Home Improvement, the fair will address current sector-related issues and enable representatives of the participating sectors to exchange information. On the four days of the fair, the programme will feature presentations, panel discussions and talks that will address current issues and provide professionals from trade and industry with ideas for their day-to-day business. This range of offerings will be supplemented by forums and special shows that will provide added value to trade fair visitors.

Matchmaking services and Buying Day

To allow suppliers and buyers to contact each other even before the fair begins and plan their visit as effectively as possible, Koelnmesseoffers the online Business Matchmaking service. The tool enables trade visitors to contact exhibitors from their respective product area before the trade fair has even commenced and arrange meetings at the exhibitors'  stands, thus removing any obstacles to a successful trade fair visit. The service tool will go online at the INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR website (www.hardwarefair.com) around two weeks before the fair commences.

The Matchmaking programme known as  Buying Day  will be held on the day before the fair. The event will be organised by the Home Improvement Presidents Council in cooperation with Koelnmesse. Here, the home improvement/DIY trade   primarily from North America   and internationally operating producers will gather to take part in individually arranged meetings. The event will provide exhibitors with the opportunity to talk to interesting customers in advance. By the same token the platform also enables buyers to gain a rapid overview of which exhibitors' stands are worth a longer visit with a view to purchasing new products for the coming season. Information on similar events and the conditions of participation can be found at www.presidentscouncil.com. One of North America's leading DIY centre operators, Lowe's, has already announced that it will be taking part. 

Infotainment at the sector forum

The sector forum titled  Tools Live   Highlights on Stage in Hall 4.1 will provide trade visitors of the INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR with an exciting mix of tools-related information and entertainment. Diverting presentations, panel discussions and product presentations will benefit business.

Fastening technology innovation forum and Product of the Year award

What are the latest developments in fastening technology and what are the top products? Visitors will get answers to these questions at the Fastening Technology Innovation Centre, which will be organised in Hall 5.2 in cooperation with the Siegfried Rohn publishing house. The entries have been pre-selected and assessed by independent experts. The awards will be presented to the winners at 11 a.m. on Sunday, 28th February. Another event at the INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR will be the Rohn publishing firm s presentation of the Products of the Year in the categories of Building, Technology, Gardens and Home Interiors. The award ceremony will take place at the Rohn stand (middle Boulevard) at 4 p.m. on Monday, 1st March.

Special show for modern power tools

What power tools are currently available on the market? What can they do, and what innovations will the future bring? These are the questions that will be addressed by "Modern power tools for more productivity, safety and ergonomics", a special exhibition conceived for trade visitors at the INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR COLOGNE. The exhibition is being organized in cooperation with the Association of the German Tool Industry (FWI) and the German Tool Museum inRemscheid. The exhibition will offer a comprehensive overview of the diverse world of currently available rechargeable tools, rechargeable saws, multi-tools, drilling hammers and accessories such as drills, bits,brushes and cutting-off wheels. The special show will moreover provide information on the trends and future developments in this product group.

Sector meeting and awards

In 2010, a major focus of the INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR COLOGNE will be on communication and the sharing of information. Beginning at 6 p.m. on 1st March, the BHB will be organising the BHB Forum in Koelnmesse's Kristallsaal. At this event, the BHB will also present its customer service award in cooperation with FaupelCommunication and the Rohn publishing house. The customer service award is presented to companies that have come up with outstanding concepts in the categories of Innovation, Communication and Marketing. The partners of the production-associated trade are traditionally honoured during the INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR as well. The Working Committee on Tools (AKW) of the Central Association of the Hardware Trade (ZHH) select the partners for recognition. The award ceremony will be held in CC East, in the southern foyer of Koelnmesse, at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, 28th February.

Exhibitors and visitors who would like to find out more about some of Germany's interesting DIY centre companies can take part in a DIY centre tour from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 2nd March. The tour will be organised by Dahne Verlag in conjunction withKoelnmesse. On the Sunday of the trade fair, Koelnmesse will beorganising a big Welcome Party for the exhibitors, featuring live music and a buffet. The party will be held in the Rheinterrassen in Koln-Deutz, beginning at 6 p.m.

Trade fair opening times

The INTERNATIONAL  HARDWARE FAIR COLOGNE will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from 28th February to 3rd March 2010. Visitors can enter the halls through Entrances South, West and East. Admission tickets can already be purchased at the online shop (www.hardwarefair.com) at a favourable advanced sale price. The admission tickets also serve as free travel tickets on all local public transport systems in the VRS area.

Product presentations and innovation forums, a special show, panel discussions and a get-together of the participating sectors