I Saloni 2007 (Milan Furniture Fair) To Include Accessories & Lighing Exhibitions

Furniture World Magazine

"As regards the imminent Saloni 2007” declares Rosario Messina, President of Cosmit, the host of the furniture fair to be held in Milan, Italy this April, “last year’s success and the upward trend in the sector as a whole are greatly in our favour. It will be an extra special edition, not just because of the quality of the goods being showcased, but because it will also see the return of Euroluce, together with three high calibre collateral events. Euroluce, otherwise known as the International Lighting Exhibition, is back in its guise as a real show of light, a point of international reference within the sector and representative of every sort and kind of lighting system. Of the three collateral events, two will be devoted to light – in synergy with the exhibition itself – and will involve the city of Milan, and the third will be dedicated to the metaphor of the home and living. Another major rendezvous, in the exhibition space, will be the exhibition to celebrate the tenth anniversary of SaloneSatellite”. The signs of reprisal in the furniture sector form the background to all the preparatory work going into the next edition of i Saloni which, like last year, will be held in the New Milan Fairgrounds in Rho from 18th to 23rd April. It will also host the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, Euroluce, the International Furnishings Accessories Exhibition and SaloneSatellite. Along with the general financial expectations, there is the amazing success of the 2006 edition to consider – here are just some of the figures: 2,578 exhibitors, 229,059 square metres, 223,138 visitors, of whom 123,391 came from 146 different countries and 4,128 journalists, of whom 2,065 came from 57 different countries – and this year the fact that demand from exhibitors and for exhibition space has far outstripped supply means that yet again we are taking on the challenge of both the exhibition and the sector with tremendous optimism. As the Managing Director, Manlio Armellini, explains, “The state of the market bears out our expectations. Furthermore, the increase in foreign uptake and the excellent overall level of demand just go to show that Milan is the European exhibition point of reference par excellence in this sector”. Concomitantly with the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, now in its 46th year, and the Salone International Furnishings Accessories Fair, both recognised international showcases for the entire Sistema Casa-Arredo, Euroluce is back again for its 24th biennial, and more unique than ever. Unique in that it is representative of the entire gamut of lighting – from light sources to domestic lighting, from engineering lighting to street lighting. Unique in the comprehensive range of goods on offer from more than 500 companies ranging over approximately 50,000 square metres (+ 9% and +27% compared with 2005) of exhibition space and the tremendous breadth of visitors expected: architects, planners, interior decorators, lighting designers, facility managers, contract managers, specification buyers, wholesalers, specialist retailers and representatives from the contract sector. Unique also in that it has evolved a programme that capitalises on the specific qualities of the sector, that will bring the whole city of Milan alive, proving itself to be an exceptionally reliable trend setter and provider of cultural content, embodying the cultural spirit of the entire project. Unique, finally, because of the scale of the two collateral events that will make the city resonate with light. SaloneSatellite, the acclaimed platform for young designers, for creativity and an occasion for major entrepreneurs to meet the most promising young designers, celebrates its tenth anniversary this year with an equally important exhibition, “A Dream Come True - SaloneSatellite projects: From Inception to Production”, curated by Beppe Finessi: literally hundreds of products initially shown as prototypes at the various editions of SaloneSatellite that went on to be featured in the catalogues of prestigious firms. The exhibition underlines the intrinsic value of SaloneSatellite, and demonstrates just how its original concept of becoming a point of reference for young designers has become a reality. One of SaloneSatellite’s greatest achievements has been the huge assortment of pieces that began life here as prototypes and then went into production, the greatest recognition to which a young designer can possibly aspire. The traditional “great” collateral appointment that has been a hallmark of the Saloni for years is to be held in the Palazzo Reale from 18th April to 15th July 2007, courtesy of the Municipality of Milan. “Rooms With a View” is the name of the exhibition that will explore the last hundred years of great Italian art dedicated to the metaphor of the home and of living. The exhibition will be divided up chronologically into rooms that will be further embellished with a selection of elegant pieces of furniture from Bugatti to great design. One final development: from 15th January, the Cosmit website www.cosmit.it, which gives details of all the information relative to its role as organiser of i Saloni, Saloni WorldWide and Sasmil, and naturally to the events themselves, will be totally revamped as regards design, layout and content, making it easier for visitors, exhibitors and journalists to find their way around.