The world of interior design is an ever-changing landscape as top brands continually strive to set the bar with new ideas, products and innovations. And, if you’re an expert who’s worth their salt, you’ll know that staying ahead of the curve is the key to a successful, growing client base.
Evolving your style, creative vision and skill hinges on exploring current trends and learning how to implement them into your own unique offering. To do that effectively you need some exposure, making trade shows an invaluable resource when it comes to broadening your horizons.
Brimming with industry experts, designers, manufacturers and suppliers, exhibitions like Milan’s Salone del Mobile provide a platform to forge connections and gain insight into what’s hot and happening.
As curators of some of the top furniture brands in the world, the FCI London team has been attending shows regularly for several years now. Read on to find out why they’re a must for all design professionals and what it is about them that gets us so excited.
Whether you’re in retail or specialise in home refurbishment projects, networking is a surefire way to expand your business. And where better to do this than in a place that’s teeming with industry gurus, distributors and potential clients?
From casual conversations to structured meet-and-greets, there are plenty of opportunities to reach out and make connections that can be extended way beyond the confines of the trade show floor.
Use this advantage to:
Keeping one’s finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest décor trends is imperative to your success, helping you stay ahead of your game. And, with exhibitors from all around the world displaying products from their own unique cultures, major fairs give you first-hand exposure to offerings that you may not see locally.
This will allow you to:
It’s also important to note that obtaining this type of access transcends just furniture, garnering you insight on design narratives that include:
In an ever-changing field where predictability won’t cut it, improving your skills is essential and can be achieved through continual learning.
Trade fairs will help you do this by offering certifications and professional development opportunities that include seminars, workshops and presentations led by industry experts. These cover a diverse range of topics that will help you enhance your knowledge and expertise and could encompass:
By participating in these offerings you’ll learn new techniques, gain deeper insight, explore innovative approaches to problem-solving and stay in touch with an ever-evolving culture that will push your boundaries to new levels.
Shows like the Salone del Mobile are hubs of inspiration that become catalysts for self-expression and new ideas.
Being exposed to this kind of cutting-edge diversity stimulates the imagination, encouraging design professionals to engage in out-of-the-box thinking and the exploration of unconventional ways to solve blocks in their creative processes.
For those exhibiting, trade shows are a space in which to secure a strong visible presence, giving rise to numerous marketing opportunities that could gain you international recognition.
From generating leads and securing projects to allowing you to showcase your proficiency through workshops, lectures and conferences, you’ll have the ability to position yourself as an industry leader worthy of attention.
To succeed in this arena you should focus on:
If this has fuelled your enthusiasm for design fairs, then we suggest you start pencilling some important dates into your work calendar. Here are some that we highly recommend:
At FCI London, we value our trade connections and make it our business to bring you the best in fine design. Through regular attendance at all the top shows, we’re constantly exploring new ideas, liaising with our brand partners and scouting for products and innovations that will elevate your offerings. Follow our latest adventures at the Salone del Mobile on Instagram for this year’s inspiring new concepts.
We also suggest that you sign up for a free trade account with us and take advantage of fantastic discounts, free CPD courses and access to management software that will keep your latest projects running smoothly.
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