The Bundesverband Farbe Gestaltung Bautenschutz (Federal Association for Paint, Design and Building Protection), the Bundesverband Ausbau und Fassade (Federal Association for Finishings and Façades) and GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH have agreed to postpone FAF until spring 2024. It will be held at Cologne Exhibition Centre. FAF, which had been scheduled for 2022 prior to the coronavirus pandemic, will thus be postponed for two years. The organisers plan to make the most of this time by preparing new formats to develop FAF into a genuine community platform and establish closer links between all relevant representatives of the sector through more networking events.
Trade fair that creates a sense of belonging
“The pandemic-related break has changed a lot in the trade fair business. We do not want to just “carry on” as we are now. We want to develop FAF into a face-to-face trade fair with an extra sense of community for all those involved, captivating visitors with the usual great atmosphere and offering unique opportunities for networking and business”, said Klaus Plaschka, Managing Director of the organiser GHM. FAF will retain its core task of presenting the multi-faceted product range covering all aspects of façade design and interior architecture. The tried and tested mixed layout concept will be supplemented by, for example, additional exhibition areas in order to create more opportunities for interaction and networking.
Guido Müller, Federal Association for Paint, Design and Building Protection, commented on the decision: “We are convinced that expectations of trade fairs like ours also changed significantly during the coronavirus-related break. Postponing the trade fair by just one year to 2023 would not have given us the time to implement a major conceptual reorientation. By holding FAF in April 2024, we now can turn our tried and tested FAF into a unique platform offering a sense of community to all those involved. We will also actively involve the related companies in preparing key themes, concepts and ideas for the trade fair. This is a unique opportunity.”
Oliver Heib, Chairman of the Federal Association for Finishings and Façades, said: “The success of FAF 2019 in Cologne and the brilliant atmosphere felt in the halls is still fresh in our minds. Of course, we would like the next FAF to be just as strong an event for our sector. Therefore we plan to utilise synergies through networking with the trades and host a collaborative FAF 2024 that functions as the driving force for the sector by bringing all the stakeholders together.”
Cologne – metropolis on the Rhine with a great vibe
Cologne is already well-established as the location for FAF. Thanks to its central location with excellent transport links, Cologne Exhibition Centre is easily accessible by car, train, aeroplane and local public transport from lots of cities in Germany and abroad. The city on the Rhine is always worth a visit and offers a wide range of leisure activities for visitors. With more than a million residents, Cologne is not only the fourth largest but also the oldest city in Germany.
