D – The spring edition of the Trend show organised by the GWW (German Promotional Product Association) also demonstrated that the promotional products industry is on its way back to normality. Whereas the autumn edition in Wiesbaden was held on just one day, the GWW scheduled the event in Cologne for February 8 and 9, 2023 and thus invited visitors to attend the popular product show on two consecutive days again. According to the official figures, 161 exhibitors met up in Hall 10.2 of Koelnmesse to present their novelties and bestsellers to the trade audience.
As usual, this spring edition of the Trend was exclusively open to promotional products distributors, which created a family-like mood. A lively hustle and bustle quickly prevailed in the aisles of the exhibition area and small and larger groups of visitors crowded in front of the stands to inform themselves about the novelties of the respective manufacturers. According to the organisers, the show was attended by 1,427 visitors. Once more, the show underlined the diversity of the promotional products industry – in between ballpoint pens, clothes and bags, cuddly toys, games and insect hotels were also found at the attractively designed stands. There was also an abundance of exciting and stimulating topics of conversation. Small promotions and treats lightened the mood further and underlined the family-like atmosphere of the GWW-Trend.
During the press conference of the show, the podium was occupied by an illustrious cast: Steven Baumgaertner, Chairman of the GWW; Daniel Jeschonowski, among others Managing Partner of the porcelain manufacturer Kahla; Oliver Spitzer, Managing Director of the market research institute, september Strategie & Forschung, and Prof. Dr. Johanna Hey, one of the leading tax law experts in Germany. The four different perspectives ensured interesting discussions, inter alia about the impact of promotional products, the necessary quality, the economic difficulties the industry faces and tax-related discrimination. Although according to the press conference the promotional products industry is still under pressure, the exhibitors proved to be satisfied and were delighted about two successful days in Cologne.
// Sophia Arnold
Photos: Sophia Arnold, Till Barth, Dr. Mischa Delbrouck, Dr. Andreas J. Haller, © WA Media
