Kind + Jugend 2008 Almost Fully Booked

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The status of Kind + Jugend as the world's largest platform for children's outfitting is undisputed. From 11th to 14th September 2008 around 750 companies from approx. 40 countries are expected in Cologne, around 79 percent of them from abroad. Three months before the start of the fair the event is already almost fully booked. "For years Kind + Jugend has been performing exceptionally well", said Oliver P. Kuhrt, Executive Vice-President Koelnmesse. "That applies not only to the great demand on the exhibitors' side, the number of visitors from Germany and abroad has also continually risen. That is ultimately down to the all-round concept of the event, its outstanding locational conditions and our comprehensive range of services, which make Cologne the most important meeting place for the international children's outfitting sector. "In terms of breadth and internationality the product range at Kind + Jugend is unrivalled. The spectrum covers children's furniture, (car) safety seats, textile outfitting, prams, hygiene articles as well as toys, baby and toddler fashion along with maternity fashion.

With Halls 10.1, 10.2, 11.1 and 11.2 the event occupies exhibition space of around 80, 000 m2. "After we had clearly increased the fair's space only last year, the space capacities are once again fully booked this time", explains Markus Oster, Vice-President Koelnmesse GmbH. "At Kind + Jugend 2009 we will therefore be expanding the exhibition space once again and then also opening Hall 11.3. "The growth in space is primarily attributable to numerous suppliers - especially those from Germany and Europe - having increased their presence at the fair and, as a result, once again improving the product range quality at Kind + Jugend. These companies include sigikid, Amtoys, Habermaaß, Boikido, Mutsy, Graco, Sicartex, Peg Perego, Small world by Marlip and Pali.

As the world's leading trade fair for children's outfitting the event is as usual characterized by its usual high internationality. Of the total of around 750 exhibiting companies approx. 590 suppliers come from abroad, which means that the foreign share is approx. 79 percent. The largest foreign participations come from France, Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the USA.

Around 100 companies such as Steiff, Liegelind, Wader, Trudi, Jemini, JJ Cole, Boori, Clair de lune and La Carrosserie Enfantine will be represented at Kind + Jugend for the first time this year. Alongside them of course all the international market leaders in the hardware sector will be presenting their new products and innovations in Cologne in September - including Dorel, Britax Römer, Hauck, Cybex, Concord, Janè, Chicco, teutonia, Hartan, Herlag, Peg Perego, Graco, Mattel, Amtoys, sigikid, Geuther, roba, Alvi, Pinolino, Paidi, Zöllner, Tiny Love, Haba, Sterntaler, Mapa, Baby Björn, Philips-Avent, Mam or also rotho.

In addition to the broadly structured hardware range at this year's Kind + Jugend numerous exhibitors will also be presenting the latest fashion for babies, toddlers and pregnant women. They account for around 10 percent of all companies represented at Kind + Jugend. In September around 75 suppliers - including Textilvertrieb Steger, Döll, Bondi-Dress, bellybutton, Jacky, Heinrich Obermeyer, Task-Noppies, Liegelind, van Gennip, Baby Staab and Teidem - will present their new collections for the youngest and mothers-to-be. They are making use of the event's late date to present their instant and follow-up order programmes and also pave the way for valuable first-time contacts for next season's collection.

Baby and toddler toys booming
The market for baby and toddler toys in particular is enjoying high demand and has further growth potential. Therefore, as an increasing number of specialist baby and children stores are including toys for the youngest in their range, Kind + Jugend, is developing into an increasingly attractive event particularly for suppliers in this sector. The toys segment for the 0-3 year-old age group has therefore significantly grown - both with regards to the number of exhibiting companies as well as in relation to occupied space. A total of around 170 suppliers of baby and toddler toys are represented at Kind + Jugend 2008. They include companies such as Mattel, sigikid, Fehn, Bieco, Amtoys, Jemini, Tomy, Sterntaler, Let's go, Heimess, Jollymexx, Kids II or playgro as well as first-time exhibitors, among others Steiff, Jemini, Wader, Trudy, Ty and Vikingtoys. The product range extends from classic wooden items through to cuddly toys up to modern, learning toys appealing to all the senses. The World of Baby Toys concept introduced last year is also enjoying great popularity. Correspondingly, renowned companies such as Habermaaß, Selecta, Steiff, Käthe Kruse, Wader Quality Toys or Ty are contributing to the enlargement of the impressive premium space. Also located in the direct proximity are other toy suppliers ensuring that the growth segment is presented in compact form with a clear overview.

"House of Safety": child safety a top priority
In terms of contents Kind + Jugend is focussing special attention on the aspect of child safety. In order to highlight the relevance of the theme even more strongly, the "House of Safety" is for the first time being shifted to the hall area of the event - namely to Hall 11.1. A further new development is that the "House of Safety" is this year being held under the auspices of TÜV Rheinland (Technical Board of Control). This not only ensures that all the products shown within the framework of the exhibition meet the applicable safety requirements, it also presents different testing processes for children's toys, car safety seats and their use in cars or aircraft. In addition TÜV Rheinland is offering guided tours of the exhibition. The "House of Safety" is pursuing the aim of sensitizing the specialist trade but also multipliers such as midwives and youth/child care workers to child accident prevention and providing them with well-founded information on the theme in order to increase their advisory competence and expertise. To this end the exhibition is also concerning itself with child safety in the car and home. The latter will be presented based on the kitchen, children's room and bathroom areas and corresponding safety facilities for these various rooms. The "House of Safety" will be rounded off with lectures from the French market research institute Institut des Mamans and presentations from diverse exhibitors.

The best new products/innovations wanted: Kind + Jugend Innovation Award
The year's exceptional innovations will once again be the focus for the "Kind + Jugend Innovation Award", which this year is already being presented for the fourth time. The competition honours and recognizes the exceptional innovativeness of the sector and therefore presents awards to outstanding new products and innovations. The prize has now become one of the most important awards in the children's outfitting sector and is correspondingly hot property. This year around 180 companies have registered with new products/innovations for the "Kind + Jugend Innovation Award". The "Kind + Jugend Innovation Award" is presented in the five categories: World of Mobile Baby, World of Baby Safety, World of Baby Furniture & Textiles, World of Baby Care and World of Baby Toys. The winners will be announced within the framework of the prize presentation in the "Innovation Area in Hall 11.1 at Kind + Jugend. This will be held during the official fair opening on 11th September 2008 at 10.00 hrs in the presence of trade visitors and press representatives.

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