imm cologne is initiating a new, neutral networking platform to promote exchange with service providers and experts from marketing, merchandise management and the digital economy.
In the furnishings sector, industry and retail also have to deal with new challenges in order to remain successful – especially digitalisation. Consequently, how the trade fair sees itself will also change. “Of course, imm cologne has been much more than just a product show for a long time, and we are also present with our online offerings for more than a week – actually, for 365 days a year,” says Matthias Pollmann, Vice President Trade Fair Management at Koelnmesse. “In the future, there will be an even greater shift away from products to a platform for solution models developed specifically for the industry with the help of service providers, technologies and others. For the furnishings industry, imm cologne is the ideal platform for this and the organisers of our new community hubs are our hosts.”
Network platform raises profile for trade fair focus area Home
In the focus area Home featuring a diverse range of offerings, experts from strategy and digital consulting are putting together a programme of service providers, presentations and workshops for imm cologne: The community hub will act as a marketplace for discussions and solutions related to the furnishings business and as a touchpoint for inspiration, networking and business. The programme includes thematic tours as well as master classes where specific case studies are presented.
Promoting the development of new business models
Today, the successful placement and communication of products on the market requires solution providers from the areas of marketing, the digital economy and merchandise management as well as logistics, sustainability and marketing communication. Successful business development models take into account the interplay of multiple factors. For instance, logistics is linked to merchandise management and also to communication via CRM systems. In today’s scenario, everything is so complex that solutions can no longer be considered individually. Business development can only be carried out in a network – together in combination with different disciplines.
Matchmaking 2.0 at imm cologne 2023
Matchmaking is one of the core competencies of a trade fair. This function will become increasingly important and extend to the discussion of future-related issues as well as the task of stimulating the interdisciplinary development of sustainable business models. imm cologne is not just a business platform, but increasingly also a dialogue and knowledge platform. “We bring market participants together who want to do business at imm cologne. In order to enable a targeted partner search, imm cologne creates places that provide inspiration as well as contact opportunities. We will be the Tinder of the interiors industry. There is a match for each participant!,” is how Matthias Pollmann describes the new event format.
Whether e-commerce and shop systems, logistics and service solutions, ERP and data management, omnichannel marketing and brand management, process control, personnel recruitment or digital furniture sales – valuable know-how and innovative tools are sought and needed in all areas. Designed as a community hub, the Plazza brings together all market participants as well as players and stakeholders that are relevant for the industry in one place.
In January 2023, the network platform will celebrate its imm cologne premiere. Spread over an area of 600 square metres, market participants from the furnishings industry will have the opportunity to engage with service providers and experts from marketing, merchandise management and the digital economy – barrier-free and with exciting event programmes.
