INTERVIEW
STAYING relevant
Paperworld 2020 is promising a number of initiatives to appeal to the modern business products buyer. OPI’s Andy Braithwaite caught up with Messe Frankfurt Director Michael Reichhold to find out more
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PI: How is this year’s Paperworld Frankfurt shaping up? Michael Reichhold: At Paperworld 2020, we are expecting some 1,500 exhibitors from all over the world. They include companies from the office and stationery sector that have been exhibiting at the event for many years, as well as young start-up companies that are attending for the first or second time.
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OPI: What is new this year? MR: There are only a few changes with regards to site occupancy – only the Remanexpo product area is moving into the newly renovated Hall 6.1. In terms of content, we have come up with a number of ideas. Many features in the complementary programme are given a new direction every year. We consider this to be very important because we want to reflect developments in the industry in order to provide future-oriented incentives for existing channel partners as well as for new target groups. Demonstrating new approaches, looking ahead, and conveying expertise in the sector – that is what we wish to represent. As an example, in 2020 the focus will be on the Future Office special exhibition while Paperworld Trends will highlight the latest colours, materials and styles for the coming season.
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OPI: Let’s talk about the Future Office. What’s new this year? MR: 2020 is all about smart solutions. At booth C51 in Hall 3.0, the focus will partly be on digital tools, but far more on holistic approaches. In the innovation area, we will illustrate how traditional tools can be combined with digital elements to solve challenges in a smart way.
In a series of lectures and product presentations – and with the help of best practice examples – we will transport the future of the office world onto the physical stage in Frankfurt. The target audience comprises architects, planners, facility managers and retailers while the product focus is on office supplies.
We will illustrate how traditional tools can be combined with digital elements to solve challenges in a smart way
Michael Reichhold
OPI: What is the Office Village that is also located in Hall 3.0? MR: The Paperworld Office Village is a whole new concept that will be implemented for the first time in 2020. What makes it so special are the fully equipped booths, a service that makes participation even more convenient for exhibitors. In addition to these exhibitor stands, the area will offer an info point, lounges, meeting rooms for networking and a catering area. We created this concept to provide manufacturers with an attractive presentation platform at the heart of the Paperworld office area. OPI: What are some of the key trends you are seeing in our sector? MR: In the area of stationery, for example, seasonal colour styles play a very important role. Trendy designs, such as last year’s jungle motif are also being taken up for notepads or other accessories. In this segment, consumers are very much guided by the latest market trends when shopping.