Seasoned Exhibition Stand Contractor At Interzum

Interzum is the world’s leading trade fair for suppliers to the furniture
and interior design industry, held at the Koelnmesse exhibition center
in Cologne.
This is where the entire value chain comes together:
from materials and fittings to textiles, machinery, and digital solutions.

Over four days at Koelnmesse, manufacturers, designers,
architects, developers, distributors, and space-planning specialists
from around the world come to “try on” the future of furniture and
interior solutions for their business.

In 2025, Interzum reaffirmed its status as a global leader:
around 60,000 trade visitors from 157 countries and more than
1,600 exhibitors from 57 nations.
The central theme was “Rethinking Resources” — rethinking
materials and resource efficiency.

Video about Interzum: feel the atmosphere before you travel

To get a sense of the scale and energy of the show,
one good video is enough:
the boulevards of Koelnmesse in motion, live stand presentations,
the interzum award and the Trend Stage.

Who should visit the Interzum trade fair at Koelnmesse

This event is for the people responsible for product, design, and growth
in the furniture business.
If you make furniture, components, or interior solutions, Interzum
gives you a concentrated view of where the market is heading for the next few years.

• Furniture manufacturers for home, office, HoReCa, and public spaces.
• Suppliers of furniture fittings, mechanisms, lighting,
  adjustable systems, and storage solutions.
• Companies producing boards, veneers, décor paper, surfaces,
  coatings, edge banding, and other surface solutions.
• Manufacturers of mattresses, upholstered furniture, textiles, fillings,
  and the equipment used to produce them.
• Architects, interior designers, studios, developers,
  and contract manufacturers.
• Distributors, wholesalers, DIY chains, and e-commerce platforms
  shaping assortments of furniture and components.

A major advantage is that Interzum remains a strictly professional B2B platform.
Most visitors are decision-makers and business owners,
which means every stand conversation can realistically
end in a contract — not just a business card exchange.

The history of Interzum: how the fair became a global benchmark

The story of Interzum began in Cologne in 1959.
Since then, the show has been held every two years and has grown from a regional
event into the world’s largest platform for suppliers to the furniture industry.

In 2019, the fair celebrated its 60th anniversary.
Koelnmesse welcomed around 1,805 exhibitors from 60 countries,
while visitor numbers reached 74,000 professionals from 152 nations.
The exhibition covered roughly 190,000 m² — a record for floor space
and international reach.

In 2023, after a four-year break related to the pandemic,
Interzum returned with real momentum:
around 62,000 trade visitors from roughly 150 countries
and about 1,600 exhibitors.
The industry had “unfrozen” innovation, and almost every stand
showcased new materials, décors, and technology solutions.

The 2025 edition consolidated that success:
around 60,000 visitors, more than 1,600 exhibitors, and three clear
exhibition segments — Function & Components,
Materials & Nature, and Textile & Machinery.
Today, Interzum is where the industry sets its clock
for trends, sustainability, and design.

Scale and key advantages of Interzum in Cologne

Interzum impresses not only with its numbers, but also with the quality of its audience.
This is a high-caliber show where every contact matters.

• Exhibition space: up to 180,000–190,000 m² at the Koelnmesse complex,
  one of Europe’s largest exhibition centers.
• Around 1,600–1,800 exhibitors in recent editions, with more than 80 percent
  being international companies.
• From 60,000 to 74,000 trade visitors depending on the year,
  coming from more than 150 countries worldwide.
• Three clear segments — Function & Components,
  Materials & Nature, Textile & Machinery —
  covering the entire furniture and interiors supply chain.
• A strong business program: interzum Trend Stage,
  three Trend Forums, Product Stage, interzum award
  and special exhibits focused on sustainability and the circular economy.
• A high level of international reach:
  a significant share of visitors and exhibitors come from outside Europe.

For a supplier company, exhibiting at Interzum often equals
a full reset of international sales:
in four days you can reach dozens of markets and build
a partner network for years to come.

Well-known companies at Interzum: who you can meet in the halls

The exhibitor lineup is one of the best reasons to attend.
Recent editions of Interzum have featured the biggest names
in the furniture and interior industry.
Here are six standout examples.

Hettich

Hettich is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of furniture fittings
and storage systems.
At the previous fair, the company showcased its “Transforming Spaces” concept,
demonstrating how smart mechanisms and runners
turn cabinets and kitchens into flexible, living spaces.

For visitors, the Hettich stand is a chance to see real solutions
for compact apartments, multifunctional furniture, and premium
interior projects.

Häfele

Häfele is a regular at Interzum, and last year it focused
on “maximising the value of space” — getting the most from every
square meter.
The company presents lighting systems, sliding solutions,
fittings for transformable furniture, and smart locking technologies.

At the Häfele exhibition stand, you can see how mechanics, lighting, and digital
services come together to create well-designed living and working spaces.

Blum

Blum traditionally uses Interzum as a stage for premieres
of new drawer systems, hinges, and “smart” kitchen solutions.
In 2023 and 2025, the company presented functional living concepts,
showing real interiors with concealed fittings and thoughtful ergonomics.

Visitors at the Blum stand can literally “play through” usage scenarios
— from compact city kitchens to premium walk-in closets —
and see how fittings shape everyday comfort.

Schattdecor

Schattdecor is a key player in décor paper
and decorative surfaces.
At the latest fair, the company presented its Freiraum trend concept
for the 20th time, featuring décor collections inspired by nature,
digital aesthetics, and a more sustainable approach to materials.

For manufacturers of boards, fronts, and worktops, the Schattdecor stand is
a kind of “library of future trends,” where you can select décors
for local markets and global chains at the same time.

Toppan

Toppan is an international group known for its decorative
and functional surfaces.
The company highlights that Interzum, held in Cologne every two years
since 1959, remains a key touchpoint with architects,
furniture manufacturers, and design studios worldwide.

At the Toppan stand you’ll typically find new films, laminates, and
printed solutions with a strong focus on sustainability, tactility,
and visual depth of materials.

Other standout exhibitors include Koyo, Sonae Arauco, and more

For example, Koyo (CB Gear) announces participation at Interzum
with solutions for functional fittings and drives,
while Sonae Arauco has showcased a broad range
of wood-based panels and décors at past editions.

This mix of global brands and specialized players
makes Interzum the place to build a complete partner ecosystem:
from décor to mechanics and final finishes.

Product categories and solutions showcased at Interzum

Officially, Interzum is divided into three exhibition segments:
Function & Components, Materials & Nature, Textile & Machinery.
Behind these labels is almost the entire world of the furniture
and interiors supply chain.

• Function & Components:
  furniture fittings, runners, hinges, lift systems,
  sliding systems, fasteners, internal storage systems,
  integrated lighting solutions, locks, and electronic locking systems.
• Materials & Nature:
  wood-based panels, veneers, parquet and flooring,
  décor paper, laminates, composites, edge materials,
  coatings, press plates, and embossing cylinders.
• Textile & Machinery:
  machinery for mattress and upholstered furniture production,
  foams and fillings, upholstery materials and fabrics,
  leather and substitutes, adhesives, functional and “smart” textiles.

In addition, Interzum features a strong presence of solutions
for sustainable and bio-based materials, recycling systems,
energy-efficient processes, and digital services for the furniture industry.

Tips and smart hacks for Interzum visitors

Interzum is not a show you visit “for an hour and a stroll.”
To get real value, it pays to treat your trip
like a mini project.

• Download the official app and use the online catalog:
  it includes the exhibitor list, hall plan, and the program for the Trend Stage,
  forums, and special shows.
• Split your visit by segment:
  one day for Function & Components, another for Materials & Nature,
  a third for Textile & Machinery.
  That way you won’t lose the signal in the overall noise.
• Make time for the interzum Trend Stage and Trend Forums:
  that’s where the big topics are discussed — sustainability, biomaterials,
  the digital product passport, and the circular economy.
• Use ambista — the online network for the furniture industry:
  it’s a practical tool for scheduling meetings in advance
  and continuing the conversation after the fair.
• Arrive at opening time:
  mornings are calmer at the stands, experts are less overloaded,
  and they’re ready to go deeper into your project.
• Use the Koelnmesse infrastructure:
  cloakrooms, business lounges, food areas, and easy exits
  to Köln Messe/Deutz station make logistics highly predictable.
• Do a quick team “debrief” in the evening:
  capture what truly stood out,
  and who you need to follow up with after the show.

If you’re traveling with a team, split roles:
one person focuses on materials, one on fittings,
one on textiles and machinery.
That way you cover the full map of the fair without the feeling you missed something.

How to become an Interzum exhibitor in Cologne

To exhibit at the fair,
companies submit an application via the online system on the official
Interzum website.
Registration and a stand cost calculator are available,
so you can estimate your budget in advance.

The process includes choosing the stand size and location
in the relevant halls, indicating which segment you want to exhibit in
(Function & Components, Materials & Nature
or Textile & Machinery), and ordering required services:
electricity, rigging, internet, and logistics.

It helps to prepare for registration with:

• a short company profile and product group overview
  in English or German;
• a list of innovations and core solutions you want to showcase,
  linked to the exhibition segments;
• a stand visual concept and catalog materials
  (logos, photos, copy for your online profile);
• a communications plan: client invitations, stand activities,
  press events, and social media announcements.

Koelnmesse and the Interzum site provide detailed guides
on technical services, logistics, safety,
and protection against copying — helping you avoid unpleasant surprises
during build-up and throughout the fair.

Stand design and rental for Interzum: how to boost results with EURO STAND BUILDERS

During Interzum, the halls of Koelnmesse become a dense forest of brands,
ideas, and structures.
A stand designed down to the last detail turns into a real sales tool:
it guides visitors through your offer and helps your team work
smoothly, without chaos.

If you’re planning to exhibit in Cologne, a smart move is to entrust
stand design and delivery to EURO STAND BUILDERS —
a professional exhibition stand builder in Europe.
The team knows Koelnmesse requirements, build-up timelines, and safety rules,
and can propose solutions that are not only eye-catching
but also technically flawless.

EURO STAND BUILDERS can develop a custom exhibition stand for your goals
or offer a modular stand rental with strong branding.
The first option works best if you want a distinctive, almost “architectural”
stand and plan to reuse the concept across multiple editions.
Rental gives you flexibility and is a smart way to enter Interzum
if you’re exhibiting for the first time or testing a new market.

A well-organized layout, clear navigation,
and a comfortable meeting area significantly improve stand conversion:
visitors stay longer, understand your product faster,
and move more quickly into concrete project and pricing discussions.