2018 sees AWISA return to the re-developed multi-billion dollar International Convention Centre (ICC) at Sydney’s Darling Harbour. Next year, on two floors from 4th to 7th July, expect the biggest AWISA ever. But there are other important shows around the World and we take a look at some here.

ZOW

February 6^th to 8^th, Bad Salzuflen, Germany www.zow.com

Housing is becoming scarcer and more expensive; the available living space is dwindling both in absolute and per capita terms. This is an issue for which the interior design sector and the furniture industry specifically, need to find suitable answers quickly. Completely new approaches to work, life and housing will be required in future. The ZOW supplier trade fair in Bad Salzuflen, with its workshop atmosphere, is the ideal platform for that. The upcoming event in February 2018 will feature the innovative special area “TINY SPACES”, where the focus is on clever solution ideas and design concepts for interior fittings and furniture for small, indeed tiny, spaces. The concept was provided by design scout Katrin de Louw of Trendfilter in Bünde, Germany.

Holz Handwerk

March 21^st to 24^th, Nuremberg, Germany www.holz-handwerk.de/en

Holz Handwerk is a really big show and probably closer to what Australian businesses need than Ligna. This show has a lot of solid wood processing and many of the smaller suppliers have a lot more space there. The big companies such as Homag and Biesse struggle to fit everything in and are always asking for more square metres. All of the Australian sales people will be there and although the hall layout is a little confusing, it’s a really great show and well worth the trip. Over the past years, the exhibition duo of HOLZ-HANDWERK and FENSTERBAU FRONTALE (windows, doors and joinery) has developed into an impressive highlight for the sector and attracted more than 1,288 exhibitors and 110,581 trade visitors in 2016. Already, the exhibition space is 97% filled.

Xylexpo

May 8^th to 12^th, Milan, Italy www.xylexpo.com

All big brands (Homag, Weinig-Holz Her, Cefla, Ima Schelling, Scm and Biesse) will exhibit at Italy’s number one trade show. The Italian market is much more attractive, the overall economic situation has improved and many exhibitors have requested to expand their booths, so they have decided to add a fourth hall to the fair. This is the fiftieth Xylexpo and although the fair had some difficulties a few years ago, it has bounced back and is a focal point for Industry 4.0 concepts, which are the real specialty of Xylexpo. It’s only a few months before AWISA but if you are in Europe, it’s well worth dropping in for a look.