Cologne's world-leading trade fair, interzum 2013, is enjoying a massive increase in both spaces booked and number of exhibitors. Once again, in May next year the innovation of interior piazza in Hall 4.2 will definitely be a crowd-pleaser – one that is aimed at architects and designers. In 2013 the emphasis will be on intelligent materials and components that will adorn the hub of the “Smart Materials” special exhibition.

With around six months to go until interzum 2013, Koelnmesse is confident that the fair is right on track: “It’s rare that we can report this level of success so early on”, explains Frank Haubold, Director Trade Fair Management. “As of now we’ve received 778 registrations, 497 of which came from abroad. By the same point in 2010 we’d received 696 in total, so 80 less”. interzum 2013 has already picked up its solid group of regular exhibitors who will be joined by those who attended previous fairs and, of course, new attendees keen to share in the success of this international leading trade fair.

Koelnmesse is again investing a lot of energy in concept design for the three piazzas, each of which focuses on a specific theme. The “Materials + Nature” piazza in Hall 6 celebrates diversity in surface design; “Textile + Machinery” delivers information about the newest developments in upholstered furnishings and

beds in Hall 10.2. The innovation of interior piazza in Hall 4.2 is a completely unique presentation to designers, architects and product developers that brings trends and design possibilities to life. 2013 will spotlight unusual materials, intelligent components and previously unheard-of surfaces in the specialist “Smart Materials” area.

Colour-changing tiles for the kitchen, dirt-repellent and anti-bacterial surfaces for bathrooms and toilets, flooring that helps clean the air and heatable coating systems for all kinds of surfaces: the complexity of requirements placed on components and products today in furniture design and interior design leads to a constant demand for new material solutions that possess both traditional mechanical qualities and a bonus function, a functional value add or reactive quality. The “Smart Materials” special area will highlight these innovative products with a sophisticated presentation and carefully planned supporting program tailored to architects and designers. This means that, during interzum 2013, Hall 4.2 will be transformed into an unusual showroom for planners and creatives – simultaneously modern, eye-catching and functional.

Koelnmesse hopes that innovation of interior will attract interzum regulars as well as new exhibitors, all of whom can book attractive, all-inclusive packages. These include standard stand modules covering an (extendable) area of 18.75 square metres, as well as a service and marketing package. A large-scale media campaign specifically for this piazza will launch in January in Germany and elsewhere in Europe with the aim of encouraging architects and designers to visit the fair. Also, the innovation of interior magazine will be published at the beginning of 2013 and will feature innovative materials, the “Smart Materials” area, and projects by various architectural firms and designers.

Source: Koelnmesse