The Spoga+Gafa show, which closed on 6th September 2016, had an excellent response. This year, more than 39,000 visitors from 106 countries attended the international garden show in Cologne.
This represented a 6 per cent increase compared with the previous year.
The Spoga+Gafa show, which closed on 6th September 2016, had an excellent response. This year, more than 39,000 visitors from 106 countries attended the international garden show in Cologne.
This represented a 6 per cent increase compared with the previous year.
“Spoga+Gafa 2016 was a total success. The international garden fair received top marks both in terms of quality and quantity this year and thus further reinforced its position as the world's leading trade fair for the profession,” said Katharina C. Hamma, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH. “With a 60 percent share of visitors coming from abroad, this has once again served to confirm the highly international profile of this event. It is particularly pleasing that we were also able to record a 7 percent increase in the number of visitors from Germany. The range of products on offer, the quality of the presentations in the exhibition halls and the programme of activities were all very well received. This shows us that spoga-gafa is considered by the industry to be show that is not to be missed. We are very happy with the way spoga+gafa turned out”, added Katharina C. Hamma.
In total, 2,032 companies from 57 countries (83 percent from overseas) chose spoga+gafa as the platform for the presentation of their new products, giving a global overview of the gardening sector during these three days, in the halls of the Cologne exhibition centre.
Representatives from the industry confirmed the show’s excellent results. John W. Herbert, General Secretary of the European DIY-Retail Association (EDRA), assessed this year’s spoga+gafa as follows: “This year, spoga+gafa has been an extremely worthwhile show for the members of EDRA (European DIY Retail Association) and GHIN (Global Home Improvement Network). A record number of member companies visited spoga+gafa and the feedback has been very positive. Our members, particularly those from overseas, have been extremely impressed, not only by the unparalleled number of exhibiting companies but also by the excellent and attentive service provided by the Cologne Trade Fair and the dedication of all those involved. This was much appreciated. A good example of this feedback was displayed when I spoke to four representatives from our 2nd largest Japanese member company, Komeri, which has over 1.000 DIY stores. They were clearly pleased with everything they had seen at this year's spoga+gafa and will be spending the rest of the week looking at some DIY stores in the region.
Home Depot, the world leader in DIY stores, was also well represented with a delegation of buyers from the U.S.A. and Canada.
EDRA/GHIN’s membership includes 121 retail companies, which, with more than 23,000 branches operating in 102 countries, have a combined turnover of more than 230 billion euros. Spoga+Gafa is a trade fair that is recommended by EDRA/GHIN.”