With an exciting move to Tour & Taxis exhibition centre in the heart of Brussels for September 2006, tip 2005 reflected the growing demand for the show.  118 exhibitors from 15 countries including 42 from China, 47 from India and 15 from Turkey displayed a broad and enticing range of fabrics and ready-mades.

The area which grew most in 2005 was the ready-made sector, reflecting both visitor interest and exhibitors who displayed a wider mix of product.  For example, 25% of all exhibitors showed coverlets and throws, 44% cushions, 41% table linen and 51% ready made curtains.  From the visitor point of view the two most important categories within made-ups were curtains at 23% and bedding, 14%.

This trend looks set to continue as exhibitors such as Beekalene from India believe that tip is the international show to exhibit at for ready-mades and the show will continue to proactively promote this sector globally to retail buyers.

With the ready-made market in mind, Beekalene adapted its product mix accordingly at tip 2005 with 1/3 of the mix upholstery and 2/3, drapes and will continue this mix at tip 2006 for which they have already taken space.  Beekalene also feels that exhibiting at tip has the added bonus that the show actively promotes and engages with the Asian manufacturing markets. 

Other positive feedback from the exhibitors included Nishat Mills from Pakistan who stated "that everyone who mattered was here".  They have taken more space for 2006 and will include more bed linen in their mix. 

In addition Robert E Yates, Joint Managing Director for Textile Bonding Ltd in New Zealand claimed that they had seen buyers from 33 different countries.  These were a much higher standard than previous years and included new contacts from Germany, Israel, Vietnam, Austria, Norway and Thailand.

Such positive feedback from the exhibitors and the enthusiasm for the new venue, Tour & Taxis in central Brussels, is reflected in the record number of bookings which were already taken for 2006 by the end of the show at tip 2005.