Jan 30, 2012

Macef, The Four-Day Event Dedicated to Houseware is Over

Macef, the international home show, has closed its 92nd edition. 88,658 professionals have chosen to visit the four-day Fiera Milano dedicated to houseware that has hosted 1,887 exhibitors of which 25% foreigners.

Compared to January 2011, there was a drop in visitors (-6,3%) on the Italian side, particularly from the regions of central-southern Italy, also due to the strike of the transport sector. The participation of foreign operators reported a substantial stability with a dynamic that recorded 12% increase of French people and especially Russians who closed with a +21% compared to an expected decline in Spain and Greece (- 7%).

As for the Far East, the excellent performance of Indian visitors (34%) must be underlined to offset a slight decline of the Asian countries in general. Looking overseas, there has been a good turnout from the two Americas with 32.6%.

Macef represents the best of the market: quality and innovation are the winning ingredients of our products that determine the success of Italian style in the world. Once again, the event, has confirmed to be a necessary appointment for those companies that want to enter the market, not only with their new products, but also to confront with operator’s and resellers’ concrete demands.

The events (such as Green Map di Macef, That’s Fashion, Casa Pop) offered enthralling formula for product communication and identification of new trends. Very appreciated were the thematic areas (Federfiori, Macef Musica… ) which colored the event, and the exhibitions (Storie di cose sostenibili, Unforbidden city di Alessi… ) which offered food for though and a pleasant meeting point with design. Meetings devoted to “home trends” were very much appreciated as well. In general, great innovation characterized all sectors represented at the exhibition.

Thanks to the Creazioni project (with Creazioni Giovani and Creazioni Designer), the Decoration sector proposed many novelties, as well as the Tableware & Kitchenware sector thanks to the innovative products by the international brands: vitality and colors, of both products and the exchange variety, characterized these areas and proved to be extremely interesting for those who focus on research.

As for Bijoux, Macef offered its visitors the fascinating Bijoux Trend Gallery, a “creative gallery” where bijoux adorned, with irony and elegance, female silhouettes reproduced on canvas. “Designer Club” was a scintillating showcase teeming with ideas as well as a creative workshop with forty-five young jewel designers. Very much appreciated were also the fashion shows (That’s Fashion) where “statuesque” models wore the shining bijoux on display.

As for Gifts, the Creativity area has undoubtedly enriched the sector, together with the interesting workshops on how to create bomboniere. Many ideas also came from the pavilions devoted to Tradizione Italia and Silverware, with products of the Italian handicrafts and Made-In-Italy gifts and fancy goods as well as some excellences of the Italian territory (Regione Calabria and Regione Sicilia) and the companies operating in the Italian Classic sector.

The January event has just closed its doors, and we are already working on the fall event, under the aegis of innovation and business: the next Macef will be held from September 6th through 9th, 2012. New concepts will create a sort of continuity with the January event. Moreover, they will also underline the continuous development of Macef towards formulas which are more and more focused on the innovations of those designers, companies and retailers who have special talents in valorizing and telling their products for the home and the person.

Macef mission is to develop the excellences of every sector and valorize the peculiarities of the exhibited products and the different dwelling cultures.

In September we will start from the AbitaMi experience which will evolve into AbitaMi lab: true labs, thematic exhibiting areas which will be found in every pavilion and where emerging conceptual and product considerations will be analyzed through an adequate expositive language. Since September 2012, the project will characterize all the following Macef events and will be given substance through places, settings, integrated islands located in the heart of Macef, in perfect harmony with products presented in every pavilion.

AbitaMi lab will showcase examples of product innovation, use of materials, manufacturing process, and new sales modes which will make Macef a unique event. Simultaneously, Progetti Incubatori will present new product types and interpretations of the established product types, also attracting new categories of visitors.

To meet the many realities characterizing Macef, it is not necessary to wait until September: exhibitors and buyers can be in touch thanks to Socialike, the online Macef channels with free access, useful to do business networking and stay in touch. A sort of gateway which is both social and professional which will provide users with contents, interaction, proposals, discussions, tweets, posts, videos, photos: everything which means “opportunity” in the digital language.