10.02.2012 Ambiente 2012 opened

• Detlef Braun: “The consumer-goods sector remains on course and is making a decisive contribution to economic stability”
• Ambiente fully booked up with 4,543 exhibitors

Hans-Joachim Otto, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, has opened the Ambiente 2012 in place of Dr Philipp Rösler, Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, due to a last-minute impediment. Otto emphasised the sector’s preeminent importance for the German economy as a whole. “Thanks primarily to the high level of domestic demand, the German economy remains very healthy”, said Otto. “And the consumer-goods sector makes its contribution to this, year in year out.” During a tour of the fair, the State Secretary briefed himself on the situation in the sector and spoke with representatives of the exhibiting companies.

“The consumer-goods sector remains on course and is making a decisive contribution to economic stability”, says Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt. An important reason for this is the increasing propensity of consumers to spend. In 2011, private households increased their spending on typical Ambiente products, such as furnishings and household appliances, by three percent in real terms according to the German Statistical Office (Statistisches Bundesamt) in January 2012. “These indicators have helped generate a positive atmosphere in the sector. With 4,543 exhibitors from 87 nations, Ambiente 2012 is fully booked up.”

‘Contract Business’ special show
One of the main themes at this year’s Ambiente is the contract busi­ness, i.e., furnishing or equipping complete establishments, such as hotels and cruise liners, with complete product lines, e.g., dishes, glasses, cutlery, lamps, home accessories and furniture. “Today, the contract business is a market segment with high rates of growth”, says Stephan Kurzawski, Senior Vice President, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH. “We have given it special prominence at this year’s Ambiente because it is set to play an increasingly important role for the consumer-goods sector over the coming years. An exhibition entitled ‘Contract Business – Interior & Dining Concepts for Commercial Projects’ provides insights into the status quo and potential of this lucrative sales channel (Foyer of Hall 4.1).

Denmark the first Partner Country – Princess Benedikte at Ambiente
This year, Denmark is Ambiente’s first-ever ‘Partner Country’. The Partner Country cooperation partner, the Danish Design Centre, has organised an exhibition of outstanding examples of Danish design, which companies such as Eva Solo, Menu A/S and Stelton are presenting at Ambiente. In addition to a tour with representatives of politics and business, there will also be a cultural theme day within the framework of the Partner Country programme. Monday, 13 February, is ‘Denmark Day. Then, Princess Benedikte of Denmark will also grace Ambiente with her presence.

Ambiente is being held in Frankfurt am Main from 10 to 14 February. A total of 4,543 exhibitors from 87 countries are presenting the latest products for the table, kitchen, household, giving and decorating, as well as home and furnishing accessories.

Background information on Messe Frankfurt
Messe Frankfurt is Germany’s leading trade fair organiser with € 457* million in sales and 1,769* employees worldwide. The Messe Frankfurt Group has a global network of 28 subsidiaries, five branch offices and 52 international Sales Partners, giving it a presence for its customers in more than 150 countries. Events ‘made by Messe Frankfurt’ take place at more than 30 locations around the globe. In 2011, Messe Frankfurt organised 101 trade fairs, of which more than half took place outside Germany.

Messe Frankfurt’s exhibition grounds, featuring 578,000 square metres, are currently home to ten exhibition halls and an adjacent Congress Centre. The company is publicly owned, with the City of Frankfurt holding 60 percent and the State of Hesse 40 percent.
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com

*Provisional figures (2011)