Sustainability, protecting resources and the circular economy – issues that are becoming increasingly important for the interiors industry More and more companies are recognising the benefits of a sustainable approach and implementing it in the production and design of their products The imm Spring Edition at the start of June will address this strategy not just with the interior design solutions presented by its exhibitors, but also with a diverse programme of events
The circular furniture industry in focus at the imm Spring Edition Summit
What does the circular economy mean for your business? How circular does the furniture industry think? Furniture 4.0 and the circular house – what developments are heading the industry’s way, and what will take the interiors business forward on a sustainable path? These and other important questions will be discussed by experts from the industry, politics, the retail and wholesale trade, and the creative economy at the imm Spring Edition Summit on 4 June 2023, the first day of the trade fair, between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The congress, organised by the German Federal Association of Furniture & Kitchen Retailers (BVDM) in collaboration with the Association of the German Furniture Industry (VDM), is devoted to the circular economy – a concept that is set to influence future processes in the industry significantly.
The line-up for the imm Spring Edition Summit features a series of brief interventions, panel discussions and best-practice presentations. The distinguished speakers appearing at the congress include Christian Haeser, CEO of the German Retail Association for Home and Office Furniture (HWB); Jan Kurth, CEO of the Association of the German Furniture Industry (VDM); Sonja Krieger, Managing Director of the Krieger Group; Gregor Zwingmann, Managing Director of Polster Aktuell, Dr Maik Schlickel, Sustainability Manager at nobilia-Werke J. Stickling GmbH; Paul Jonas, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Revive; Lars Grieseholt, Head of Product Management at Hettich, and Dr Christoph Epping, Head of Department at the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.
Design for decades: timeless design classics in Pure Galleries
The exhibition Design for Decades in Pure Galleries in Hall 11.2 will showcase a selection of timeless product designs that represent long-lasting durability and continued use in the ethos of the circular economy. Curated by Dick Spierenburg, Director of the imm Spring Edition, the designs have been on the market for more than ten years, during which time updates and redesigns have maintained their contemporary feel. The exhibition will also feature more recent products with the potential to become genuine classics. The exhibits include designs by Brühl & Sippold, BW, COR, Durlet, Janua/Freifrau, JORI, Kettnaker, Leolux, Montis and Schönbuch.
Industry stars in a dialogue: the Architonic Live Talks with leading thinkers from architecture and design
Immediately before the imm Spring Edition Summit, the Architonic Live Talks will be hosted in the Speakers’ Corner at The Circle in Pure Galleries on the first and second day of the trade fair at 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. on both days. Trade visitors will have the opportunity to meet renowned figures from the design and architecture scene and exchange ideas with industry insiders. The speakers include Patrick Reymond, Co-Founder of atelier oï, which takes an experimental approach to material, form and typology; Florian Kallus and Sebastian Schneider from the design studio KASCHKASCH, which specialises in furniture, lighting design and art direction; Maxime d’Angeac, Founder of the architecture and interior design studio with the same name that combines the classic style with the contemporary, and Werner Aisslinger, Founder of Studio Aisslinger, whose work focuses on storytelling and narrative architecture.
In addition to the live talks, the Speakers’ Corner provides access to The Circle’s bar and lounge area throughout the trade fair, making it the ideal place to share views and ideas on the latest industry developments with new and established business contacts.
Alongside the imm Spring Edition Summit and The Circle, the one-off special edition of imm cologne has many other exciting events lined up, including the Pure Galleries Vernissage and the Sundowner on the Piazza. For all the event highlights and detailed information on the programme, please click here.
