MAISON&OBJET Focuses Even Closer on Creativity as the Cornerstone of its Strategy
15 September 2008
As one of the driving forces behind the “Paris, Capitale de la Création” event that brings together the broadest international range of home fashion into a single Paris-based experience, the latest MAISON&OBJET international exhibition on 5-9 September this year demonstrated once again that creativity is the best and most effective route to supporting the home decoration market. Creativity in all its many forms and expressions is what empowers the professionals of the home decoration industry to excel, create value and gain market share.
The innovation we see in terms of products, materials, technologies and concepts proves that the market is ready to take onboard the ambitions of designers and companies and deliver them to consumers whenever creativity adds extra value. The success of the second MAISON&OBJET OUTDOOR_INDOOR and fourth MAISON&OBJET I projects I events is a perfect illustration of that dynamic in action. The key players in this market have selected Paris as the exclusive venue in which to showcase all their latest products to the French and international markets, and that choice was again vindicated with the huge success of this year’s show.
After the exceptional attendance seen last year, this September’s event performed well to attract only slightly lower numbers, with attendance down by only 6.2% on 2007. Of the 69,060 visitors, 41,646 were from France and 27,414 from international markets. This trend reflects the general economic environment as it moves towards greater prudence and tighter cost control.
The major international buyers were there to discover all the latest products and trends, but with smaller teams this year. Nevertheless, they were unanimous in their view that creativity is the only driving force that can offer the prospect of progress and growth in this period of economic gloom.
The MAISON&OBJET exhibition is more committed than ever to supporting and sustaining its ambitions to bolster creativity in every possible way, and to consolidate its status as the leading international event for everyone involved in the world of home decoration. In future, the space available to brands to present their creative energies will be increased.
In January next year, 'scènes d’intérieur, now design à vivre' and 'MAISON&OBJET éditeurs' will have their own exclusive halls dedicated entirely to presenting the collections of their exhibitors (halls 5B, 7 and 5C respectively). It is developments like these that make MAISON&OBJET and its sister event, the second MEUBLE PARIS furniture show at the Le Bourget Exhibition Centre, the industry’s most important international business and image forum.
Paris will fly the flag for creativity higher and more proudly than ever.
