Munich Fabric Start, steady attendance and expansion planned for September

By

Bruno Joly

Published
Feb 11, 2015

Munich Fabric Start, which closed its doors on Wednesday, is pleased to have officially recorded stable attendance with approximately 20,000 visitors, 37% of which were foreigners. That said, in February 2014, the exhibition didn’t release official attendance figures. In previous editions, the fabric and accessories trade show has attracted 18,000 to 19,000 people on average. 

This time, organizers feared that with the start on Monday, things would be more complicated.

"It's a one-off for the good of the industry and to avoid overlap with Milano Unica as much as possible. But starting on a Monday is risky," said Wolfgang Klinder, co-founder of the show. Overall though, the exhibitors were satisfied, even though Monday morning was calmer than opening days in the past.

"Monday was quiet. But, in my opinion, it was because of the snow that delayed Germans traveling by car. Tuesday was fine. There were foreigners from Croatia, Italy, even from Finland," said Jean-Yves Girard-Reydet, from Ellipse. 

Organizers talked about a 3% increase in international visitors, while not including this number in the press release. 

The Munich show is primarily German, although over the seasons, with the Blue Zone, Eco-Village and its vast range, foreigners are making themselves heard.

There were far more visitors from Turkey, France, Belgium and Scandinavia this time around. An Italian exhibitor estimated that non-German speakers made up 10% to 15% of visitors.

Meanwhile, Munich Fabric Start, which comes before Milano Unica and Première Vision, will expand in September. The show, which will remain at the MOC, a former exhibition grounds and its Zenith Hall, which serves as the concert hall for the Blue Zone, will add 20,000 square feet between them.

The space can accommodate thirty or so exhibitors linking denim/sportswear with fabrics. The next show will be held in the fall on September 1-3 (Tuesday to Thursday).