Domotechnica battles to retain show status.

As ERM went to press, the organisers of the Domotechnica exhibition were continuing negotiations with major appliance manufacturers in an effort to preserve Domotechnica's long standing reputation as the industry's premier white goods exhibition.

The defection of the major brands has

Major brands want to up their own exhibition 2002 as a replacement for Domotechnica and the Confortec show in Paris, rotating the venue around major European cities every two years thereafter.

The European Committee of Domestic Appliance Manufacturers (CECED) is eager to control such a show, which would be a trade and consumer event.

Domotechnica organisers are putting a brave face on the situation and insisting that the Cologne Fair will still be the fair for home appliances.

However, they are currently considering CECED's conditions for organising the planned 2002 event in a bid to maintain's Cologne's status as the capital of white goods exhibitions.

Failure of the two parties to see eye to eye could result in a Domotechnica of sorts taking place in alternate years to the CECED event.

Regina Kalke, vice president for home, garden and leisure at Domotechnica, tells ERM: "We are in the centre of a conflict in the industry at present. The big manufacturers were put off principally by the hotel costs in Cologne and because of their changing requirements.

"They came to us at the end of 1999 and questioned why they should pay so much for a trade fair, yet stand prices have been stable since 1997 and will continue to be so for the future.

"They wanted the event to be more attractive and to be linked more directly with the more glamorous appeal of the kitchen.

"We have since changed the management of the Domotechnica Fair, including product managers who had neglected the modern needs of the event. We have also endeavoured to get more influence on hotel prices. There are 65,000 hotels in Cologne and we now have partnerships with many."

SIGNIFICANT

The 2001 Domotechnica (March 7-10) will see a significant cosmetic change in Hall 4, where 60 to 70 kitchen settings will be displayed across 9,000sq.m. This will be in conjunction with the German Kitchen Furniture Association and will be open to the public from 6pm to 10pm each evening.

Some of the major brands will be lending their support to this, including Miele, and there will be live talk shows and competitions to promote media interest. Small appliances will also be included in this setting and Domotechnica organisers are expecting between seven and ten thousand people through Hall 4 each day.

There will also be a components show - Appliance Technology International - in Halls 1, 2, and 3.

CONSIDER

Says Regina Kalke: "We have to consider everyone's needs for the future and come to the best compromise we can. We are pleased to say that Miele will now be showing as a result of seeing our new concept and will have a 3,000sq.m stand as well as a presence in Hail 4.

"Miele will be our biggest exhibitor and Haier will also have a large presence."

Ms Kalke added that British support will still be very strong, with close to 100 companies showing, including AMDEA companies, compared to 117 last year.