Kind & Jugend | Product Update Page

Kind & Jugend
September 11-14, 2008

Kind + Jugend, the world’s leading fair for the children’s outfitting sector, continues to grow. With eight months still to go until this year’s event, some 75 per cent of the significantly expanded exhibition area has already been reserved. A total of approx. 620 suppliers from approximately 40 countries are expected to attend Kind + Jugend 2006 from 15th to 17th September 2006; 73 per cent will come from abroad. What’s more, 36 new exhibitors have been registered to date. The range of products on display at Kind + Jugend includes children’s furniture, safety seats, textile outfittings, prams and buggies, hygiene articles, toys and games, and fashion for babies, children and teenagers. Exhibiting companies will be presenting their products over a gross exhibition area of approximately 64,000 m² in Halls 10.1, 10.2 and 11.2 at the Cologne exhibition centre in September (note: the halls have been renumbered).

“Developments over the last few years have shown that Kind + Jugend’s stronger focus on hardware was the right approach,” says Oliver P. Kuhrt, Executive Vice President of Koelnmesse GmbH. “It has enabled us to further enhance the position of Kind + Jugend as the leading international fair for the sector and pave the way for positive development in future. The continual growth we recorded and the number of new companies we’ve gained offer clear confirmation of our trade fair concept.”

The toys and games segment for under-threes will be a particular focus of expansion for Kind + Jugend 2006. “A total of 42 per cent of the approximately 12,400 trade visitors at the last event obtained information on new developments in the area of babies’ toys,” says Kuhrt. “Because of this great demand on the part of trade visitors, we will provide manufacturers of babies’ and small children’s toys with new presentation possibilities for Kind + Jugend 2006. We’re particularly pleased that the German Association of Toy and Game Retailers (BVS) is supporting the clearer focus on toys for babies and toddlers. It’s also our pleasure to welcome Willy Fischel, the head of the association, as a new member of the Kind + Jugend Advisory Board.”

Special concepts related to toys for the under-threes will be introduced in September with a view to staging compact, attention-grabbing product presentations. Manufacturers whose product ranges have so contained only a small proportion of babies’ and toddlers’ toys will therefore have the chance to respond to the high demand for these items – in an impressive yet cost-effective setting at Kind + Jugend.

Alongside the new exhibitors like sigikid, numerous companies including Britax Römer, Recaro, Cybex, Mattel, Hauck ABC Design, Mitsui, Bugaoboo, Play, Pinolino, Plebani, Novatex, RC2 and Micuna have requested larger stands and will therefore contribute to the expansion of the exhibition area.

The Kind + Jugend Innovation Award, which was launched in 2005, will be presented for the second time in September 2006. The competition honours the tremendous innovative capacity of the children’s outfitting sector. The inaugural event attracted great interest from exhibitors, visitors and the media. To make the award even more appealing this year, a number of improvements will be made in terms of structure and transparency.

Visitors’ quality of stay will also be enhanced at Kind + Jugend 2006. The relocation of the event to Halls 10 and 11 will result in more space, fewer levels and simpler navigation for visitors. Waiting times will be cut thanks to the two entrances, and the new Entrance South linking the exhibition centre and the Köln Messe/Deutz railway station will enable visitors to reach the trade fair faster.

Further information on Kind + Jugend and the range of services available can be found at: www.kindundjugend.de