imm cologne and interior design days cologne to form Koelnmesse’s new trade fair duo
Furniture World News Desk on
12/25/2024
Koelnmesse, a leading trade fair organizer for interior events, has announced a significant
realignment of its trade fair offerings in the furniture and interior design segment. Beginning in 2025, Koelnmesse
will introduce a two-event strategy to address evolving market needs: the new Interior Design Days Cologne
(idd cologne) will launch in October 2025, while a redefined imm cologne will return
annually starting January 2026.
The changes respond to shifts in the interior design market, including evolving exhibitor and visitor demands. By
separating the events into targeted formats, Koelnmesse aims to better serve distinct segments within the industry.
idd cologne: A New Platform for Premium Interiors
Debuting October 26–29, 2025, idd cologne will focus on high-end brands in residential and
hospitality interiors. The event will showcase premium furniture, lighting, and interior design solutions, serving
industry professionals such as interior designers, architects, and project planners, alongside select design
enthusiasts.
Developed in collaboration with the furniture industry, the event’s schedule and format were tailored to
premium manufacturers’ needs. Held biennially, idd cologne aims to provide an exclusive and innovative
platform for this segment.
imm cologne: Annual Consumer-Focused Event from 2026
Launching its updated format on January 20–23, 2026, imm cologne will concentrate on
consumer-oriented, market-ready interior products. The event will focus on furniture retail chains, purchasing
associations, online retailers, and other trade professionals targeting broad consumer audiences.
The revised imm cologne will feature a streamlined four-day schedule. Organizers aim to create a cost-effective,
dynamic platform to showcase trends and strengthen brands in Europe’s largest furniture market.
Industry Leaders Welcome the Changes
Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Böse emphasized the need for flexibility and evolution in trade fair
formats:
“For 100 years, Koelnmesse has been synonymous with outstanding trade fair formats, delivered in the heart of
Europe and around the world. To be successful in the global trade fair business for such a long time, you have to
keep evolving and respond to the changing demands of your customer base. That is precisely what we aim to do with
the realignment of the trade fair format for our interior design flagship event imm cologne... We now propose two
focused trade fair formats that are closely tailored to the requirements of the different interior design segments
and precisely in tune with the times.”
Leo Lübke, President of the Association of the German Furniture Industry (VDM), expressed
support for the dual-event strategy:
“The two new trade fair concepts that we have co-developed are specifically tailored to the different
exhibitor segments and visitor groups. Leading premium manufacturers have already announced that they will take
part.”
Markus Meyer, President of the Federal Association of the German Furniture, Kitchen, and Furnishing
Trade (BVDM), underscored the importance of strong trade fairs:
“Trade fairs are symbols of renewal and innovation... We firmly believe that the furniture industry needs a
strong trade fair and that an event of this kind offers us excellent opportunities to do business and
interact.”
Event Dates
- Interior Design Days Cologne (idd cologne): October 26–29, 2025
- imm cologne: January 20–23, 2026
About Koelnmesse
Koelnmesse is the
world’s top trade fair organiser for the areas of Living, Contract and Public Spaces. Alongside events
like imm cologne and interzum, other formats hosted at the trade fair hub of Cologne such as ORGATEC, spoga+gafa,
FSB and aquanale are among the most internationally renowned and established industry gatherings. These fairs
comprehensively represent the interior and design segment, the furniture and interior construction industries'
supplying sections, the kitchen world, all topics for the modern working world, garden lifestyle as well as modern
work environments, the garden lifestyle, public spaces, sports and leisure facilities, along with saunas, pools and
wellness centres. To complement the events in Cologne, Koelnmesse is constantly strategically expanding its
portfolio in key growth markets around the globe. Its foreign trade fairs include La Feria De Diseño
Medellín - powered by imm cologne in Colombia, ORGATEC TOKYO in Japan, ORGATEC INDIA in Mumbai and the events
in the interzum brand family: interzum guangzhou in China, interzum bogota in Colombia, interzum jakarta in
Indonesia and interzum forum italy in Italy. New to Koelnmesse's Living, Contract and Public Spaces portfolio is FSB
Sports Show Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. For more information, visit https://www.imm-cologne.com/trade-fair/imm-cologne/industry-trade-fairs/