At the one-off summer special event that was the combined Holz-Handwerk and Fensterbau-Frontale exhibition, in the heavy mid-July heat in Nuremberg, the focus was on meetings and networking face-to-face, finding solutions and checking out new and existing products and discussing the latest industry issues.
The familiar trade fair pairing announced its return with a summer edition featuring over exhibitors from 33 countries. Over four days, the over 28,000 trade visitors from more than 100 countries discovered design and manufacturing trends in furniture, woodworking and in window, door and facade construction. The exhibition comprised some 13 halls – although whereas Holz-Handwerk was a veritable hive of activity, Fensterbau Frontale was less so.
The thematic highlights included: the new forum A Practical Guide to Digitisation for Craftspeople, with short Ted-style talks and product presentations on the digitisation of business processes; the creatively inspiring special show DesignObjekt – ObjektDesign by the FSH (Bavarian Carpentry Association), the Holz-Handwerk Campus as a showcase for vocational training colleges and other advanced training establishments; the government-subsidised Innovation Made in Germany pavilion, the Fensterbau-Frontale Forum, the special show Green Deal on carbon efficiency and protection against climate extremes, co-organised by ift Rosenheim and NürnbergMesse; the tenth Architecture Window Facade Forum, new Expert Talks and the inaugural MetallbauTREFF.
At long last, it was also possible to hold after-hours gatherings again: making the most of the fine (very hot) weather, the window, door and facade community held an unforgettable party on the exhibition centre lawns, while Holz-Handwerk birthday guests celebrated the anniversary of their industry gathering, including a sizeable number who had visited all 20 rounds of the event.
Supporting programme
Alongside attendees on site, interested parties who were unable to travel to Nuremberg had the chance to take part in the Fensterbau-Frontale FORUM online as a live stream. The programme, as well as the guided tours and Practical Guide to Digitisation for Craftspeople forum were recorded, and the sessions and presentations which remain available at: www.live.frontale.de/en
Personal encounters, good conversations and live demonstrations
“There was great excitement about this face-to-face reunion in the run-up to the event, and this was also reflected by the mood in the halls,” says Stefan Dittrich, director of Holz-Handwerk. “We heard a lot of people saying how glad they were to finally be back at a trade fair again. For the 20th anniversary round of Holz-Handwerk, ‘discover, experience, do’ was once again seen an apt description for a fair with such a hands-on atmosphere that can only really be experienced live and on site.”
Exhibitors particularly praised the quality of the conversations they had as well as the number of visitors in decision-making roles with specific purchasing intentions. Participants used their time to get detailed advice and discuss concrete ideas and projects. “We are thrilled by the huge response and the loyal support for the trade fair format,” Stefan Dittrich continues.
Elke Harreiß, director Fensterbau-Frontale, adds: “Every sector needs a gathering. At exhibitions, industry stakeholders get plenty of opportunities to meet numerous international decision-makers, acquire new customers, see what the competition is doing and close ranks with fellow professionals.
"Digitalisation, sustainability, the lack of skilled personnel, material shortages and rising energy prices are just some of the topical issues that dominated the discussions in the halls and various forums. With the next event in 2024, we will once again be offering our customers the ideal platform to discuss the pressing issues affecting their sector.”
Returning to their usual schedule, Holz-Handwerk and Fensterbau-Frontale will reconvene 19th-22nd March 2024.
