Scheduled to take place every 2 years in Cologne, Domotechnica-the International Trade Fair for Household Appliances-is again carrying on the tradition as one of the largest appliance and component shows after breaking away from a collaborative effort with CECED, the European appliance association and Messe Berlin GmbH.

According to show organizers Koelnmesse GmbH, 86 product categories have been registered to occupy the estimated 80,000 square m of halls 10 and 11 of the Koelnmesse fair grounds and include air-conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, and built-in kitchen units. As of press time, 40 countries were represented, including Italy, Germany, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, China, Egypt, Russia, and the U.S.

"By attending Domotechnica, exhibitors will be able to set up their activities in existing markets and pave the way for entering new ones," Wolfgang Kranz, executive vice president of Koelnmesse, said at a press conference. "The broad product range at Domotechnica 2006 will provide the domestic and international specialist trade with an opportunity to examine its own product spectrum and to take on new products and ideas."

With around 50 percent of exhibitors based in Europe, the show is set to re-establish a biannual tradition with new ideas and has taken the slogan "Back to the Future." The German Design Council, in cooperation with Koelnmesse, is holding a design exhibition named E-Selection Domotechnica that will include expert lectures and a competition that will judge products on lifestyle, design and trends.

With show organizers anticipating a successful return, only time will tell if industry agrees. "We firmly believe that Domotechnica 2006 will be the right step at the right time into the world of tomorrow," Kranz says. "What's more, we are also convinced that we will achieve our goal of offering the international household appliance industry a central communication platform once again."