Fashion

MerchDays, a convention where companies and brands from the areas of merchandising meet professionals from the entertainment industry, will take place this summer in Cologne, on August 17th and 18th. This new edition of MerchDays not only runs parallel to the c/o pop Convention, but also shares the same venue, the IHK Köln (Cologne Chamber of Commerce and Industry). The participants of the c/o pop Convention will have free access to the industry meeting.

MerchDays2016-015Far-reaching synergies

This year, the MerchDays will further close ranks with the c/o pop Convention, which takes place in the framework of the c/o pop Festival of Cologne (August 16th to 18th) and attracts over 30,000 visitors. Both events will share the premises of IHK Köln. At the c/o pop Convention, about 1,000 professional visitors from the music industry are expected. Stefan Roller-Aßfalg, Managing Director of Aka Merch & Textil says, “The events c/o pop and the MerchDays complement each other perfectly and can take advantage from far-reaching synergies.”

Framework programMerchDays2016-016

61 companies and brands presented their products and services at the MerchDays première last year at the XPOST in Cologne. “The number of visitors was certainly under our expectations, however, the exhibitors were very glad about the quality of the visitors. This is also why many exhibitors confirmed their participation for this year and we already were able to acquire new exhibitors,” continues Roller-Aßfalg. Not only do the participants of the c/o pop Convention have free access to the industry meeting, but the MerchDays will again be complemented by a framework program organised by the cooperation partners c/o pop, Akademie für Textilveredlung and the PSI Institute. This is why a considerable growth in the number of visitors at MerchDays is expected.

MerchDays2016-005 (2)Transparent stands

A new concept  will be presented at IHK, whereby the MerchDays will take place on the trading floor, in the ‘Börsensaal’. The layout of the trading floor should promote the interaction between visitors and exhibitors. With a simple stand concept of transparent stands, manufacturers, distributors and providers of full services will show their products and services around merchandising. In open lounges, the exhibitors will encourage networking among the visitors and inform them about fan products for music, movies and games. Ticketing for MerchDays will be available for the first time over the online portal Eventbrite. A ticket costs €25 beforehand, or €30, if you register at the show.