NL – “License to Change” was the motto of this year’s PromZ Product Première, which took place on January 22 and 23, 2025 in the Netherlands. As usual, the trade fair is organised by the Dutch publishing company and organiser, Het Portaal, however since several innovations were introduced to the format this year, the PromZ Product Première did indeed do justice to the motto. For example, the publishing company held the show in the Breepark in Breda, the Netherlands for the first time, where the 158 exhibitors presented their novelties and bestsellers. As such, the Belgian and Dutch product premiere was brought together in one central location. The concept went down well among the, according to the official figures, 1,497 visitors, 300 of whom had travelled from Belgium. Hence, the new alignment of the trade show directly led to a record attendance: Last year the show attracted 1,239 visitors in total at both locations. The product categories were also expanded to include the sections Workwear and Christmas, which offered the visitors even more diversity.
The large exhibition hall was correspondingly divided up into three areas. In the Christmas sector, decorated fir trees and a ski hut where mulled wine was served, ensured high spirits. The exhibitors in this zone also offered Christmas products like sweets, “Kerstpakketten” the Xmas hampers that are so popular in the Netherlands, or further promotional products that can be adapted to suit the season. “The new Christmas zone went down very well and is expected to expand further next year,” reported John Swaab, General Director of Het Portaal.
The second new area, Workwear, was also popular with both the visitors and exhibitors. Marc Matheuwsen from the Textiel Group Holland reported: “We only take part in very few trade fairs and it is our first time here. But we really like it and it is pretty busy too.” Textiles, especially workwear, attracted a great deal of interest, many of the employees at the stands were involved in discussions non-stop, whilst further visitors examined the textiles on their own initiative. Bosscher presented the socks of the renowned brand, Socx, which is very popular in the Netherlands, for the second time after the PSI Show. “We are also introducing a more fashionable version of our Knitted Scarf here that is equipped with a leather label as the individualisation option. The fact that we are also concentrating on designing left and right socks to ensure a better fit also met with a good reception,” Michiel Vonk of Bosscher International reported.
Alongside textiles, the themes Sustainability and Drinkwear were also very popular. “These are indeed themes that are always important. Our new drinking bottle that can also be used as a tripod, is going down well too,” confirmed Jaap Vermeulen from Clipper Interall.
The interested visitors and informative exhibitors all ensured a cheerful mood at the start-of-the-year event in the Netherlands, so the organiser Swaab was happy too: “The new concept proved popular, Textiles and Workwear occupy almost a third of the exhibition space, some visitors solely come to see these, which shows us how important the section is. Overall, we are more than satisfied with the event.”
Next year, the PromZ Product Première is scheduled to take place at the Breepark Breda again on January 21 and 22, 2026.
// Sophia Arnold
Photos: Sophia Arnold, © WA Media
