5 Reasons Pro Interior Designers Should Attend Trade Shows

The world of interior design is an ever-changing landscape as top brands continually strive to set the bar with new ideas, products and innovations. And, if you’re an expert who’s worth their salt, you’ll know that staying ahead of the curve is the key to a successful, growing client base. 

Evolving your style, creative vision and skill hinges on exploring current trends and learning how to implement them into your own unique offering. To do that effectively you need some exposure, making trade shows an invaluable resource when it comes to broadening your horizons. 

Brimming with industry experts, designers, manufacturers and suppliers, exhibitions like Milan’s Salone del Mobile provide a platform to forge connections and gain insight into what’s hot and happening. 

Reasons to Attend Interior Design Trade Shows

As curators of some of the top furniture brands in the world, the FCI London team has been attending shows regularly for several years now. Read on to find out why they’re a must for all design professionals and what it is about them that gets us so excited.

1 - Networking

Whether you’re in retail or specialise in home refurbishment projects, networking is a surefire way to expand your business. And where better to do this than in a place that’s teeming with industry gurus, distributors and potential clients?

From casual conversations to structured meet-and-greets, there are plenty of opportunities to reach out and make connections that can be extended way beyond the confines of the trade show floor. 

Use this advantage to:

• Open doors to potential partnerships, collaborations and career opportunities
• Source new suppliers
• Get referrals
• Gain new insights and perspectives.

2 - New Products and Trends

Keeping one’s finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest décor trends is imperative to your success, helping you stay ahead of your game. And, with exhibitors from all around the world displaying products from their own unique cultures, major fairs give you first-hand exposure to offerings that you may not see locally.

This will allow you to:

• Maintain your own relevance and competitive edge
• Test out the quality, potential and comfort levels of each product
• Anticipate the evolving needs and preferences of your own clients.

It’s also important to note that obtaining this type of access transcends just furniture, garnering you insight on design narratives that include:

• The latest colour palettes
• Developments in sustainability
• Technological advancements 
• New architectural styles
• Material innovations
• Bathroom and kitchen trends
• Wellness, ergonomics and neurosciences
• Urban regeneration best practices
• Challenges and opportunities
• Future predictions

3 - Upskilling 

In an ever-changing field where predictability won’t cut it, improving your skills is essential and can be achieved through continual learning. 

Trade fairs will help you do this by offering certifications and professional development opportunities that include seminars, workshops and presentations led by industry experts. These cover a diverse range of topics that will help you enhance your knowledge and expertise and could encompass:

• Design principles
• Emerging trends
• Sustainable design practices
• Business management strategies
• Industry-specific software
• Marketing and branding strategies.

By participating in these offerings you’ll learn new techniques, gain deeper insight, explore innovative approaches to problem-solving and stay in touch with an ever-evolving culture that will push your boundaries to new levels. 

4 - Inspiration and Creativity

Shows like the Salone del Mobile are hubs of inspiration that become catalysts for self-expression and new ideas. 

Being exposed to this kind of cutting-edge diversity stimulates the imagination, encouraging design professionals to engage in out-of-the-box thinking and the exploration of unconventional ways to solve blocks in their creative processes. 

5 - Business Growth 

For those exhibiting, trade shows are a space in which to secure a strong visible presence, giving rise to numerous marketing opportunities that could gain you international recognition. 

From generating leads and securing projects to allowing you to showcase your proficiency through workshops, lectures and conferences, you’ll have the ability to position yourself as an industry leader worthy of attention.

To succeed in this arena you should focus on:

• Priorotising the design and presentation of your floor space 
• Offering promotional materials (like brochures) and digital portfolios
• Proactively engaging with attendees 
• Utilising social media to promote your involvement, share highlights or updates and communicate with your audience.

Best Interior Design Trade Shows That You Should Consider Attending

If this has fuelled your enthusiasm for design fairs, then we suggest you start pencilling some important dates into your work calendar. Here are some that we highly recommend:

• Maison&Objet
• imm Cologne
• London Design Week
• Salone del Mobile
• Clerkenwell Design Week
• Decorex
• Grand Designs Live

Summing up

At FCI London, we value our trade connections and make it our business to bring you the best in fine design. Through regular attendance at all the top shows, we’re constantly exploring new ideas, liaising with our brand partners and scouting for products and innovations that will elevate your offerings. Follow our latest adventures at the Salone del Mobile on Instagram for this year’s inspiring new concepts. 

We also suggest that you sign up for a free trade account with us and take advantage of fantastic discounts, free CPD courses and access to management software that will keep your latest projects running smoothly.