Interview: Sonia Wedell-Castellano on Domotex 2023

Carpet Home: In just nine weeks Domotex 2023 will open its doors. In the last few weeks there have been repeated rumours about the fair. What is the current status? Can visitors look forward to relevant exhibitors?

Sonia Wedell-Castellano: We expect more than 720 exhibiting companies from 50 countries to fill eight halls at the fairgrounds. And that is really respectable, considering the currently difficult general conditions. But the most important thing for us is the quality that visitors can expect at the upcoming event. And that is really good.

Many market leaders from the rug sector will be taking part in the coming Domotex: In the field of hand-made carpets, well-known and long-standing top exhibitors such as Tisca Austria, ITKIB, ABC Italia, Battilossi and Ipektchi have confirmed their participation. Also participating are Rezas, Botepp, Javi, Maison de l'Artisan, and Pakistan Trade Development Office. For machine-made carpets, you can look forward to Oriental Weavers, Merinos, Ragolle, Balta Rugs, NK-Sales, Solomon Carpet (Rasoul Isfahan) and Mc Three, among others.

Carpet Home: In addition to the exhibitors, there will also be a wide-ranging supporting programme. Which events and special shows are aimed at visitors from the carpet trade?

Sonia Wedell-Castellano: We have quite a lot lined up for them. The Green Collection in Hall 23, the centrepiece of Domotex 2023, will be an exciting impulse and inspiration area for everyone who wants to find out about sustainability in the carpet and floor coverings sector. The special show also includes a curated presentation of materials by our cooperation partner Raumprobe.

There is also plenty of inspiration at the 'Floor Treasures' exhibition, where textile students present their own designs - from the idea to the finished carpet. The students answered questions on design and modernity but also on current topics such as environmental awareness and the practicality of textile floor coverings.

In January we can also finally celebrate together again. We will once again present the Carpet Design Award for the most beautiful designer carpets and the specialist retail trade will also be duly honoured with the Carpet Star award.

In addition to a lot to see, there will also be exciting things to hear at Domotex on Stage. I recommend the lecture "Luxury carpets must be sustainable" by Michael Christie, known as "The Ruggist". An overview with all conference topics will be published on our website in mid-December.

Carpet Home: Other industry fairs have decided against January as an event month. What speaks for you in favour of the current date?

Sonia Wedell-Castellano: We also thought about moving out of January, but then decided against it after intensive discussions with the market. After 33 years of Domotex, January has simply been learned, so you don't change the date without further ado. And by the way, the results of our recently completed market survey support our decision: the clear majority would like to see January, both exhibitors and visitors. Of course, we had an alternative date up our sleeve just in case - if Corona had once again thrown a spanner in the works. But fortunately we won't need it and so we can now start again right at the beginning of the year. This also means for our exhibiting companies and the professional public that we will be the first again at the start of the year.

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