The world´s leading fair for tools, security, locks and fittings and Home Improvement / DIY

2008, Koelnmesse DIY sector opens Halls 6 to 9 to End-Consumers

The presentations and activities in Halls 6 to 9 - Builders' and Home Improvement/DIY Supplies - will be open to all visitors. The rest of the exhibition centers will, as in the past, be open exclusively to trade visitors and buyers from the industry.

"Meet the NEW DIYmension" is the slogan of the 2008 International Hardware Fair/ Practical World, which will be held in Cologne from 9th to 12th March. The DIY section of the trade fair will be open to new visitor target groups, giving this top sector event a whole new quality.

Looking back 2006, the International Hardware Fair / Practical World 2006 attracted nearly 75,000 trade visitors from 140 countries, as well as, there were 2,491 exhibitors from 58 countries presented their new products at the show.

As the growing number of DIY shows that is a clear signal do-it yourself is "IN". Many end-users enjoy doing their own home repairs and flock to DIY centers every weekend. More and more skilled tradesmen buy their equipment at these centers, too. This is the reason why the DIY industry and the DIY trade have been calling more loudly for the International Hardware Fair and Practical World to be open to skilled tradespeople and private do-it-yourselfers. To meet this demand, Koelnmesse worked closely with the Federal Association of the German DIY, Building and Garden Specialist Stores (BHB) and the BAU+DIY manufacturers' association to provide a special area devoted to this purpose.

Throughout the fair, products in categories of "Building", "Interiors" and "Technology / Plumbing and Heating" as well as complementary items will be presented in Halls 6 to 9 which will be open to all visitors. In this way, the end-users' demand will serve as an up-to-date trend barometer for the industry.

All halls are available for exhibitors. Halls 1 to 5, 10 and 11 will as in the past open to trade visitors only. Manufacturers can continue to use the International Hardware Fair / Practical World exclusively as a business platform.