The recent cancellation of the internationally renowned furniture fair imm in Cologne, scheduled for January 2025, has shaken up the furniture industry. Patrick McCumiskey, a leading business development writer, raised the question on LinkedIn whether this development is really surprising, given the current economic challenges within the sector.
According to him, the cancellation appears to be a symptom of deeper problems within the furniture industry, with significant sales declines in 2023 and the first half of 2024 as clear indicators. The discussion on LinkedIn shows various perspectives on the future of trade shows and the impact of this cancellation on the furniture industry.
A look inside bert plantagie's showroom at the last imm held in cologne. See all the photos taken by the editors of InteriorDaily at the German furniture fair here.
Some professionals see the cancellation as an opportunity for new formats and venues, such as a city-wide design festival in Berlin, which could bring a breath of fresh air to the way the industry presents and networks. Not entirely coincidentally, Design Nation is also heading to Berlin next year.
Camillo Settele, representative of design brands, notes that the imm has gone through difficult times before and had to reinvent itself. He suggests that Koelnmesse's current concept, which mainly revolves around renting out space, is outdated. The need for smaller, more varied events is growing, as evidenced by the success of events such as 3daysofdesign in Denmark and Design District in the Netherlands.
Physical meetings
On the other hand, some, such as Markus Schlosser of Koelnmesse, stress that regional trade fairs are not the only solution and that physical meetings remain essential for the furniture industry. He argues that it is too early to write off the future of large fairs and that Koelnmesseis working on new concepts that better reflect current market needs.
The discussion also highlights the shift towards digitalisation and the preference for smaller, regional events closer to the end user. This raises questions about the future role of large international trade fairs and whether they can still meet the changing needs of both exhibitors and visitors.
It's a sign
The cancellation of imm may be a sign for the furniture industry and the way trade shows are organised. As the industry adapts to new realities, time will tell which formats and venues are most effective in bringing together and inspiring the furniture and interior design industry.
Below is Patrick McCumiskey's LinkedIn post: