With the technical problems for the simultaneous interpreting service resolved at the inhorgenta europe press centre, the press conference finally began. There was a friendly and international atmosphere in the room with plenty of familiar faces.
The speaker was Klaus Dittrich, Chairman of the Management Board of Messe München GmbH. He briefly summarised the 37th inhorgenta europe: It is the biggest trade fair for watches, jewellery, pearls, gemstones and technology within the European Union and a flagship for design competence. The number of visitors is consistent and the exhibition area has increased to a total of 66,000 m2. There has been a significant increase in exhibitors in the watch sector in particular: the Festina Group, Dugena and Davidoff can all be found in Hall A1 now. Frederique Constant, Aerowatch and Deutsche Uhrmacherschule Glashütte are also back and the company Junghans has even doubled the size of its stand. Mr. Dittrich sees this as a welcome addition to the product range on offer to the trade fair visitors and buyers. Committed and enthusiastic progress has also been made when it comes to the lively design awards and internationalisation of the fair. And this is essential since, as reported by Dr. Philipp Reisert, President of the Federation of German Jewellery + Watches, foreign transactions fell significantly last year. However, the high price of gold (reaching a 25-year high) is benefitting German manufacturers. »Gold is a driving force behind value-related discussions and has a positive effect on the jewellery industry, « says Dr. Reisert. And while Jörg Gellner presented his personal assessment of last year’s crisis to the international journalists inside the press room, a crowd of journalists gathered outside waiting for the latest celebrity visit to Munich. American singer Helen Schneider showed reporters from Bayerisches Fernsehen broadcasting in Bavaria her ring. She momentarily stumbled over the word »smoky quartz«, glossing over it with her charming smile. The »sexiest man alive« Markus Schenkenberg lounged on one of the black leather sofas. He worked with the company Gellner to develop the jewellery range You Rock. »I have been wearing jewellery since I was 17. Thanks to this range, men can finally wear sexy and elegant jewellery. The pearls are from Fiji.« The sparkle in his eye reflects the positive expectations for 2010.