The ZOW Story
Data, Facts, Backgrounds

It started with a vision: An exhibition like a marketplace, an interface of supply and demand, the forum for face-to-face discussions. Away from the glitter of the usual large trade-fairs, away from everything which might blur the vision, ZOW encourages concentration on the essential. ZOW, the furniture components trade fair in East-Westphalia, wanted to be different and to go its own way. Furniture suppliers from Germany and abroad exhibit their latest introductions right at the heart of the Westphalian furniture manufacturing region in a relaxed and open workshop like atmosphere. Uniform display stands, without hindrance from walls, provide an ideal environment from which to develop new contacts, new ideas and to present ones´ company and products. The date in February is perfect. ZOW is the ideal place to create new contacts, to develop new ideas, to be present with the company.

Since the first ZOW in spring 1995, the number of exhibitors and visitors and of the available space in the Bad Salzuflen exhibition centre has increased more than ten fold.

Year	Exhibitors	Foreign country	Trade- visitors	area (m²)
1995	49	11	1.400	2.000
1996	96	32	2.400	3.400
1997	141	47	3.200	5.600
1998	250	81	4.900	11.000
1999	361	144	5.800	16.000
2000	435	193	8.200	20.000
2001	446	209	9.560	20.000
2002	580	287	12.500	28.000
2003	556	258	13.000	28.000
2004	550	262	13.250	28.000
2005	566	291	14.000	28.000
2006	710	386	16.000	41.000
2007	682	336	16.000	41.000
2008	771	396	16.500	45.000
2009	618	283	15.200	35.000

The figures are only one side of the coin - the quality of personal contacts between exhibitors and trade visitors is the other. Our exhibitors confirm that, unlike any other furniture components exhibition, real synergies exist. ZOW encourages real innovation and new product development, which in its own way brings together the design and marketing goals of its visitors and exhibitors.

We look forward to you, our exhibitors and visitors.