COLOGNE, Germany — As a result of the German furniture industry’s financial difficulties, the IMM Cologne 2025, which is scheduled for January 12–16, is “taking a time-out in January,” according to the show’s website.
The decision to postpone the event until next year was made by Koelnmesse, the German Furniture Industry Association, and the Furniture and Kitchens Trade Association. They cited “the current challenges in the furniture industry, above all the difficult economic framework conditions in Germany as the reason for this move.”
According to the organizers, they are developing a new model that will consider how exhibitors’ and attendees’ needs have evolved.
The Dutch representative of Koelnmesse, Hans Verschuur, stated in a newsletter article that “a number of significant companies had already decided not to attend, creating a snowball effect with other participants.” The organization thus lacks enough exhibitors to put on a profitable show, so calling off the event made the most sense.
He stated that the show’s organizers were evaluating their future intentions.
Two industry events are still planned for Cologne, according to the show’s website:
- The modern working world trade show, Orgatec, is scheduled for October 22–25.
- Interzum, a trade show for interior design and furniture manufacturing, is scheduled for May 20–23, 2025.