- Paperworld reacts flexibly to the needs of the paper, office supplies and stationery sector with a new participation concept
- Paperworld to continue as an annual event with the latest products and trends for the international trade
The majority of the branded-product manufacturers belonging to Germany's 'Altenaer Kreis' and 'PBS-Industrieverband' associations, have spoken out in favour of taking part in Paperworld every two years. In this connection, they are planning to return to the leading international trade fair for the sector with a joint presentation in a separate exhibition hall. This is the first result of the Working Group made up of representatives of the associations, industry and Messe Frankfurt, which will be presented at Paperworld on 26 January 2014.
The task of the Working Group is to prepare a detailed plan on the basis of a concept presented by the 'PBS-Industrieverband', 'Altenaer Kreis' and Messe Frankfurt. The concept paper calls, on the one hand, for Paperworld to continue as an annual event and thus to provide a regular international platform for the stationery segment, which launches its new products annually, and to generate important impulses for the trade. On the other hand, the concept offers members of 'Altenaer Kreis' and 'PBS-Industrieverband' an exhibition area in an attractive location where they can make a joint presentation at the international trade fair every two years, beginning in 2015. The concept paper also provides for a solution in the even years, from 2016. However, this has yet to be prepared in detail.
The Working Group has reacted to changing circumstances in the market for paper, office supplies and stationery with ideas for new participation options: "Developments in our sector are currently the result of a process of erosion – whether related to the number of players in the market, sales results or structural changes between manufacturers and the trade – and this is clearly to be seen at Paperworld, too", says Horst-Werner Maier-Hunke, Chairman of the Association of the Paper, Office Supplies and Stationery Industry (PBS-Industrieverban d). He and his colleagues from the sector agree that Paperworld must remain in Germany as the leading paper, office supplies and stationery trade fair. Rolf Schifferens, Spokesman of the des 'Altenaer Kreis', underscored this saying, "Paperworld is very important for us. And, in the same way that our business is changing, we work on the further development of the foremost event for our sector. And this is something we must do together." Headway has already been made on the most important aspects. Thus, the exclusive area for members of the associations must consist of a whole exhibition hall where the companies can make individual presentations on separate exhibition stands. In this hall, the product-group concept of the fair will not apply. "The structure of this special exhibition area will be governed by the membership of the exhibiting companies to one of the German associations. In other words, visitors will be able to see the complete range of paper, office supplies and stationery in this one hall", says Cordelia von Gymnich, Vice President, Consumer Goods & Entertainment, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH. Additionally, there will be an attractive common area in this exhibition hall with an event programme aimed at promoting socialising and networking. "The course being taken makes it possible to take due account of the different needs of trade and industry. We will be extremely flexible in this respect and, as we hear from the industry, this is the right way to go", adds Cordelia von Gymnich.
This is a reference to the positive echo from manufacturers who are not exhibiting at Paperworld 2014. Christian Schneider, CEO of Schneider Schreibgeräte GmbH, has already confirmed that his company will be back in 2015: "As long-standing exhibitors, we have never really stopped taking part in Paperworld. Instead, we have adapted the frequency to the new opportunities for communication and information acquisition in the age of the internet. In our opinion, regularity is an important factor because it gives customers the dependability they need for their planning. Moreover, a strong leading fair is not only important for our sector as a whole but also more attractive for exhibitors and visitors than fragmentation into a variety of segments and regions."
The next Paperworld will be held in Frankfurt am Main from 31 January to 3 February 2015.
www.paperworld.messefrankfurt.com
