The 35th inhorgenta europe (15 - 18 February 2008) promises to be a highlight of the upcoming jewelry and timepiece season. Shortly before the deadline for trade fair registration, it has become clear that the leading European Trade Fair for Watches, Clocks, Jewellery, Precious Stones, Pearls and Technology is continuing to grow. For example, trade fair management expects an increase in exhibitor figures (1,183 in 2007) and trade visitors (30,933 in 2007) in 2008. Those responsible at the trade fair see the reason for cautious optimism above all thanks to the still positive outlook for the economy, the general positive mood in various market segments as well as the continually growing demand from numerous European countries. "The market environment of inhorgenta europe 2008 is extremely interesting," trade fair CEO Manfred Wutzlhofer stated with pleasure.

The stage for the largest industry fair in the EU is ready in any case. Six halls with a total of 64,500 square meters exhibition area are available for new trends, new collection, new brands, new technologies and new marketing concepts dealing with all topics concerning timepieces, jewelry, precious stones. A new design concept makes the special importance of the trade fair and the exhibited precious items clear. inhorgenta europe 2008 is presenting reminiscences of a few of the greatest treasures of the world, including the tomb of Tutenchamun (Hall B1), the treasures of the Russian Czars (Hall C2) and the treasures of the Maya (Hall C1) in display windows and special areas.

The range of exhibitor offers will not be less splendid and varied for trade visitors. Everything imaginable about the trends in the timepiece and jewelry market will be exhibited at inhorgenta europe: from antique chronographs to multifunctional digital watches and from exclusive diamond or platinum jewelry all the way to avant-garde designer jewelry creations. The list of the more than 1,200 exhibitors is correspondingly comprehensive and varied.

The competence of inhorgenta europe in the area of jewelry design and designer jewelry is unrivaled. More than 300 exhibitors just in Hall C2 will present almost unlimited creativity and innovative variety of materials. Renowned brands exhibit next to young designer labels, unconventional jewelry designers and internationally leading arts and crafts businesses there. Trade visitors are not only offered a celebration of the senses there, but probably the most comprehensive exhibition of contemporary jewelry design worldwide.

Among other things, this unique industry meeting is promoted by the Innovation Prize for excellent jewelry design pointing the way to the future, which inhorgenta europe is awarding for the ninth time and which is one of the most coveted awards in the industry. The prizewinning works will be presented to the trade public in a special exhibition on “Designer’s Avenue�? in Hall C2. The next generation forum “Brand New – New Brand�?, at which graduates of national and international hotbeds of talent can exhibit, as well as for the “Forum Innovation�? where young, already working jewelry designers and goldsmiths exhibit their works, round out the topic.

Another highlight at inhorgenta europe 2008 is platinum. The platinum forum of the Munich trade fair enjoys optimum esteem worldwide and is considered a unique platform for this exclusive market segment worldwide. More than 20 top exhibitors, including names such as Henrich & Denzel, Isabelle Fa, H.D. Krieger and Gebr. Schaffrath, are exhibiting their collections in Munich and providing trade purchasers with welcome orientation help for the new season.

Another focal point of inhorgenta europe 2008 is the topic of fashion and lifestyle watches. inhorgenta europe covers almost the complete range there. Trendy brand companies are represented as well as traditional watchmakers from Asia and Europe. Many of them will be grouped around "Brand Avenue" in Hall A1 where brands such as Casio, Diesel, Fossil, Jacques Lemans, Tutima and Zodiac recently exhibited.

As the registration figures show, the topic of technology will be a major one at inhorgenta europe 2008. Numerous specialists will exhibit new tools and machines, new display and packaging concepts as well as new technologies for jewelry and timepieces. The Munich trade fair is especially doing justice to its reputation as marketplace of ideas and information, an important aspect in promoting sales that many of exhibitors and trade visitors are increasingly appreciating and taking advantage of.

Another contribution for sharing ideas and experience is the comprehensive supporting program of the trade fair, which provides retailers with valuable input on various topics. Visitors will find numerous trade seminars, panel discussions and special exhibitions. The following topics are currently planned for 2008:

- Jewelry and Fashion Trends 2008
- Gem and Colored Stone Trends 2008
- New Techniques for Platinum
- Inhorgenta Industry Talk about Timepieces. The Latest Developments to Watch.
- Decoration Workshop. Small Means – Big Effect.
- Shop Design. Trends in Shop Construction.
- Old Technologies – More Current than Ever. Enameling, Guilloche, etc.
- New Customer Acquisition: Experiences, Possibilities, Measures for Jewelers.
- UJS Symposium: Sell Better! Simpler Possibilities for Generating More Sales.

inhorgenta europe will publish additional details about the seminar and supporting soon at www.inhorgenta.com

Another trend, which will probably continue at inhorgenta europe 2008, is the increasing internationalization of the trade fair. A new record was set with 9,547 trade visitors from foreign countries in 2007. Record visitor figures were recorded from a few large sales markets, including Spain. The increased efforts of trade fair management to attract an international public are obviously bearing fruit here. For example, inhorgenta europe was presented within the framework of a roadshow in France, Norway, Sweden, Bulgaria, Spain and England over the past months. The website of inhorgenta europe can be retrieved in no fewer than nine languages in the meantime. The Gold Card, whose holders can use various free services at inhorgenta europe as well as at numerous other trade fairs in Europe, Asia and the USA, is obviously attracting an increasing number of trade visitors from foreign countries to Munich. This is another reason to look forward to the first important trade fair of 2008 with anticipation and eagerness.

inhorgenta europe 2008 will last from Friday, 15 February to Monday, 18 February. It will be open each day from 9 a.m. till 6 p.m., on Monday till 5 p.m. Entrance for trade visitors is 18 euros for a one-day ticket on site. Online registration is also possible.


Additional information and picture material is available at www.inhorgenta.com


Contact:
Messe München GmbH
Marketing and Communication Consumer Goods
Susanne Fischer
Messegelände 
81823 Munich
Tel.: +49 (0) 89 949-20610
Fax: +49 (0) 89 949-97 20610
susanne.fischer@messe-muenchen.de 

Talk of town. Wächter & Wächter
Nikola Hägele
Grimmstrasse 3
80336 Munich
Tel. +49 (0) 89 747242-36
Fax 49 (0)89 747242 -40
n.haegele@waechter-waechter.de


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