The Heimtextil, the world''s biggest trade fair for home and commercially used textiles, will open its doors again from 14 to 17 January 2004. "Despite the difficult economic climate prevailing, the number of registrations received so far represents a clear vote in favour of the sector and, therefore, the Heimtextil", says Ulrike Wechsung, Heimtextil Event Manager of Messe Frankfurt GmbH. "We are particularly pleased that companies such as Hukla-Werke and Rössle & Wanner GmbH are taking part in the fair again." Heimtextil Sunday, the day for the public on 18 January 2004, will ensure that private visitors can see the latest home-fashion trends for themselves. New in 2004: Belgium is the Heimtextil Partner Country and the first ''Textile and Business Premises Innovation Prize'' to be presented by the trade magazine AIT (Architektur Innenarchitektur Technischer Ausbau).

Global trendsetter:
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Since 1971, the Heimtextil has developed into the world''s leading order fair and orientation point for home and household textiles and fashions. The high level of internationality among exhibitors (2003: 82 percent from outside Germany) and visitors (2003: 46 percent from abroad) reflects its significance for the textile industry and trade. At the last Heimtextil, 3,224 exhibitors from 67 countries ensured that visitors were able to see the entire spectrum of home and household textiles. The trade visitors from the wholesale and retail trades, as well as decorators, interior designers, architects, travelled to Frankfurt from 123 countries. Next year, there will once again be a broad and transparently organised range of products occupying all of Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre. The heart of the textile furnishing prognoses for design and colour will be in the Trend Forum (Forum, level 1). For the individual product groups, there will be special promotion areas with ideas for boosting sales in the retail trade. Special shows and joint presentations will round off this broad spectrum.

Heimtextil to hoist the Belgian flag in 2004:
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Belgium will be the Heimtextil Partner Country in 2004, which means the fair will, on the one hand, benefit from some ''royal flair'' with the expected visit of Crown Prince Philip of Belgium. On the other hand, everything is oriented towards Europe. Another guest of honour will be Filiep J. Libeert, President of Euratex, European Apparel & Textile Organisation.

As the Heimtextil Partner Country, Belgium will make a presentation of its textile expertise in the Forum, level 1.

Moreover, information stands, lectures and special presentations by Belgian exhibitors will ensure that exhibitors and visitors receive a comprehensive image of the Belgian textile industry and its products. A special highlight: the Partner Country Evening on 15 January 2004, which is being organised by Febeltex, the association of the Belgian textile industry, under the supervision of its president Philippe Vlerick.  

''Textile and Business Premises Innovation Prize'' to promote the contract business:
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AIT trade magazine will present the first ''Textile and Business Premises Innovation Prize'' at Heimtextil 2004. The search is on for new ideas and products for furnishing large-scale projects, such as hotels, office buildings and hospitals. The competition is open to all Heimtextil exhibitors, as well as architects, interior designers, designers and product developers, who have developed a product in cooperation with a Heimtextil exhibitor. The conditions: the product may not have been on the market for longer than three years and is to be seen at the Heimtextil. A jury of renowned architects, interior designers and business-premises furnishing specialists will judge the products submitted for their suitability for use in business premises. All entries will be exhibited in a special show in Hall 4.2 during the trade fair in Frankfurt from 14 to 17 January 2004.