The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) has recognized the value of foreign trade shows for years. Along with the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the NWFA has sponsored a collective space for their members to exhibit at DOMOTEX. By joining together as a group, they stand out from other single space exhibitors and can share some of the costs associated with showing at Domotex. Why exhibit? Let’s listen to Ed Korczak, Executive Director and CEO of NWFA:For the past seven years, I have attended Domotex as the CEO/Executive Director of the National Wood Flooring Association based in the United States. The NWFA is an international trade association dedicated to promoting and advancing the hardwood flooring industry, and Domotex seemed like the perfect venue for reaching out to other markets worldwide. Boy, what an understatement.
I learn what the rest of the world is doing in floor covering at Domotex Germany. The show represents all facets of the floor covering industry. It fills 13 large exhibition halls and attracts some 1,400 exhibitors and 40,000 attendees each year. What is even more impressive, though, is that the vast majority – exhibitors and attendees alike – are from markets other than Germany. It definitely is a global show with a large global presence.
What I quickly discovered the first year is that Domotex offers flooring companies one of the best opportunities to expand into international markets. That first year, the NWFA sponsored a pavilion for its members to exhibit at the show. We had six members take advantage of the opportunity. This year, we are up to 14 members exhibiting in the NWFA pavilion, with a waiting list. That is because our members recognize that Domotex offers them an opportunity to introduce their products to a diverse international audience, in one place, at one time, and at minimal expense. At Domotex, our members can try out their products on a targeted audience of global buyers – both manufacturers and consumers – before they invest millions of dollars in production for a product that may need modifications to sell overseas. It just makes economic sense.
And Domotex Germany is just the tip of the iceberg. The NWFA has attended Domotex Shanghai and Domotex Dubai as well, and with similar results. Domotex represents a tangible opportunity for anyone interested in expanding their markets globally. Domotex provides the venue. You simply have to provide an open mind, as well as the ambition and determination to succeed in a global environment.
I learn what the rest of the world is doing in floor covering at Domotex Germany. The show represents all facets of the floor covering industry. It fills 13 large exhibition halls and attracts some 1,400 exhibitors and 40,000 attendees each year. What is even more impressive, though, is that the vast majority – exhibitors and attendees alike – are from markets other than Germany. It definitely is a global show with a large global presence.
What I quickly discovered the first year is that Domotex offers flooring companies one of the best opportunities to expand into international markets. That first year, the NWFA sponsored a pavilion for its members to exhibit at the show. We had six members take advantage of the opportunity. This year, we are up to 14 members exhibiting in the NWFA pavilion, with a waiting list. That is because our members recognize that Domotex offers them an opportunity to introduce their products to a diverse international audience, in one place, at one time, and at minimal expense. At Domotex, our members can try out their products on a targeted audience of global buyers – both manufacturers and consumers – before they invest millions of dollars in production for a product that may need modifications to sell overseas. It just makes economic sense.And Domotex Germany is just the tip of the iceberg. The NWFA has attended Domotex Shanghai and Domotex Dubai as well, and with similar results. Domotex represents a tangible opportunity for anyone interested in expanding their markets globally. Domotex provides the venue. You simply have to provide an open mind, as well as the ambition and determination to succeed in a global environment.
Thank you, Ed.
For more information about exhibiting at DOMOTEX, contact Rita Dommermuth at rdommermuth@hfusa.com. The NWFA group space is sold out for January, 2010 but if you act quickly other space is still available.
~ Rita
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