Heimtextil 2014: enlarged programme of lectures with top speakers

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Heimtextil has enlarged its programme of lectures and, at the coming trade fair for home and contract textiles (8 to 11 January 2014), renowned architects and furnishing experts will discuss current issues relating to the contract business at the new 'Contract Square' area in the foyer of Halls 5.1 / 6.1. Parallel to this, Heimtextil offers information about e-commerce for retailers and IT developments in the hotel business at 'Lecture Square' in Galleria 1. The programme of the world's leading trade fair for the sector also includes additional conference and lecture themes.

On the first three days of the fair, the lectures at the 'Contract Square' will focus on issues relating to modern architecture. The location for the lectures, which begin at 13.00 hrs and are being organised in cooperation with AIT architecture magazine, is the foyer of Halls 5.1 / 6.1. 'Contract Square' is recognised by the appropriate architects' chambers as a training event and participation certificates will be available there.

The programme begins with the 'Architecture is Conversion' block on 8 January 2014. In this age of climate change, converting buildings is an increasingly attractive alternative to new buildings. The top speakers, who include Anne Lacaton of Lacaton & Vassal, Paris, Claudia Meixner of Meixner Schlüter Wendt, Frankfurt, will present ways in which existing buildings can be used for new purposes and discuss the creative challenges involved in conversions. On the second day of the fair, lecturers including Yves Schihin of Burkhalter Sumi, Zurich, and Petra Blaisse of inside outside, Amsterdam, will look at 'Hotels Beyond the Standard'. Finally, on the Friday, the 'Contract Square' programme will examine the subject of 'Living in a Community / Communal Living' with lectures by several top speakers including Susanne Schindler of Parsons School, New York, and Dörte Mandrup of the studio of the same name in Copenhagen. The programme will be chaired by architect critic Andreas Ruby on all three days.

Concurrently with 'Contract Square', the 'Lecture Square' information forum in Galleria 1 will present an extensive programme of talks. On 8 and 10 January 2014, the 'Webchance Academy', the lecture forum for successful advertising and sales on the internet, will offer insights into the opportunities presented by the online business and marketing. Web experts and retailers will give valuable tips on starting up in the internet business – in all cases, from 12.00 to 17.00 hrs.

'Lecture Square' focusing on the hotel business

In cooperation with the German Hotel Association (IHA), Heimtextil will spotlight developments in the hotel business on 9 January 2014. Beginning at 09.30, experts from renowned technology suppliers will provide an overview of the current state-of-the-art and discuss opportunities and potential applications. "The aim of the event is to help people, especially colleagues from the individual-hotel segment, to make their everyday professional life easier and more efficient", says IHA Chairman Fritz G. Dreesen.

The subjects on the agenda of the Hotel IT Conference range from online direct sales, via big data and media trends, to IT security risks and practical, secure solutions. Rounding off the event will be a 'live hacking' organised in cooperation with the 'IT Security in the Hotel Trade' project of the German Ministry of Economics and Technology (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie – BMWi). Experts from if(is) – Institute for Internet Security – will spotlight potential security risks that occur in everyday hotel life, demonstrate how quickly and easily booking data can be manipulated in online systems and offer tips for simple but effective protective measures.

'Wool Lab Interiors'

For the first time, The Woolmark Company will present an inspirational trend guide to wool for interiors and design products. Wool is distinguished by a large range of positive qualities for design purposes: comfort, softness, elasticity, moisture absorption, flame resistance, sound and heat protection, naturalness and environmental friendliness. The spectrum of interior applications is equally broad and stretches from bedding and bed linen, via floor coverings, carpets, decorative fabrics and furniture fabrics, to insulation and damping. Ingrid Oomen from Woolmark International will talk about the 'Wool Lab Interiors', a trend presentation for research and promotion of wool, in a workshop at 'Lecture Square' between 15.00 and 18.00 hrs on 9 January 2014. The 'Wool Lab Interiors' is also an inspirational trend book and tool for designers, architects, interior architects and artisans and acts as a guideline to innovative applications for wool in the field of textile furnishings.

'WellMade' – seminar for sustainability in the industry

The Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) will make a contribution to the programme at 'Lecture Square' beginning at 10.00 hrs on 10 January 2014. This independent non-profit organisation works together with companies and manufacturers to improve the conditions of textile workers. FWF is the leading partner of the 'WellMade' project. Employees of European apparel companies are invited to attend the 'WellMade' seminar to learn about improving working conditions in textile factories. The seminar will present specific solutions for eliminating grievances on the production side.

Additional subjects: digital printing and trends

Visitors and exhibitors can also look forward to a spectrum of information on the subject of textile printing. The first 'European Digital Textile Conference: 'Digital Printing for Homes and Interiors' by WTiN' will provide a topical overview of the latest technologies, market opportunities, areas of application for mass printed matter and sustainable production methods. To be held in English with admission at extra cost, the conference will take place in Hall 4.0 on 9 and 10 January 2014. Additionally, the Heimtextil Trend Lectures in Forum 0 will offer a first-class programme of information with renowned designers and trend experts talking about the latest design phenomena and presenting the latest, dominant styles.

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