Although the participants in the fair tend to be rather cautious in their assessment of the current situation and future developments in the sector, they were very pleased with Inhorgenta Europe 2003 (21 to 24 February). A particular feature was the rise in the number of trade visitors from abroad, which enabled a wide range of international business contacts. Against the difficult market conditions on their home market, many German exhibitors are pinning their hopes on an upswing in exports and good follow-up business after the fair. With once again around 30,000 trade visitors (2002: 30,411), the 30th International Trade Fair for Watches, Clocks, Jewellery, Precious Stones, Pearls, Silverware and their Manufacturing Equipment, proved to be a stable and important information platform for the sector. Over three quarters of the 1,201 exhibitors (2002: 1,348) from 40 countries (2002: 51) praised the excellent atmosphere at the fair and its status as a leading fair. “Inhorgenta Europe went very well,” said Manfred Wutzlhofer, Chairman & CEO of Messe München, “and it once again proved to be a platform that gives key impetus for business in the coming season.”



A survey revealed that exhibitors rated Inhorgenta Europe very positively in all key criteria. The rating 'excellent to good' was given in particular to the atmosphere at the fair, its leading trade-fair status, the quality and international range of visitors, visitor frequency, and the presence of top buyers. The proportion of these very positive ratings has risen as compared to last year. Also, more exhibitors this year gave the highest ranking of 'excellent to good', thus expressing their satisfaction, to those criteria connected with how well they had achieved their main goals, namely paving the way for new business contacts, preparation of follow-on business, direct agreements concluded at the fair and the chance to intensify existing customer relations. Three quarters of exhibitors gave this highest ranking to this latter criterion of intensifying existing customer relations, and well over half, i.e. 60 per cent, to the aspect of preparing for follow-on business.



Almost two thirds of exhibitors gave Inhorgenta Europe the rating of 'excellent to good' as their overall assessment of the fair, and here again, the proportion of exhibitors, particularly those from abroad, giving this positive rating has risen as compared to last year. Special mention was made by exhibitors in their overall assessment of the fair´s sections on pearls, silver jewellery, watches and platinum jewellery. While the assessment of the current situation in the sector remains predominantly sceptical, nevertheless around half of the exhibitors said that the order status in their own company was 'excellent to good'.



Dieter Hahn, owner of Philipp Hahn Söhne, Idar-Oberstein, and Chairman of the Advisory Board to Inhorgenta Europe, backed up this positive assessment of the fair from the perspective of an exhibitor: "We were able to win important new partners from Moscow, Shanghai and San Francisco, and we feel sure we can expect positive follow-up business after the fair.

The positive assessment of the course of the fair becomes evident from further interviews with leading exhibitors, associations and visitors. The



original interviews can be called up on the Internet at www.inhorgenta.com , press service, press releases, no. 33.

The initiative to encourage trainees and new entrants to the trade is part of an extensive accompanying programme at Inhorgenta Europe for information, innovation and know-how transfer:

14 universities and trade colleges from Germany, Italy, Poland and Scotland took part in the trainee programme which offered students and trainees an insight into the industry, the retail trade and sales in the watch, clock and jewellery sector.

The Inhorgenta Innovations Prize for outstanding and future-oriented jewellery design was awarded for the fourth time. The pieces were part of a special display in Designers´ Avenue in Hall C2.

The various jewellery exhibitions also attracted particular attention from the trade, for example, the Diamond Trading Company´s display of 'Diamond Passion' featuring the most beautiful diamond jewellery pieces from all over the world.

The new special exhibition 'brand new – new brand' gave 20 young jewellery designers the opportunity of presenting their products in a professional setting at an international trade fair.

The special 'Silver Summer Gallery' display, put on by the Nuremberg Academy of Fine Arts, once again exhibited outstanding silverware in an exciting atmosphere.

The special B2B character of Inhorgenta Europe was underlined in the trade seminars, debates and special presentations at the fair. The focus was on current themes in the sector and in marketing, such as trade information on cultured pearls, shopwindow displays, diamond cuts and lifestyle trends.

The next Inhorgenta Europe takes place from 20 to 23 February 2004 at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre.