I was looking farword to Domotex exhibition – Jan 2023, but we all know how severely the global pandemic has affected business, trade, finance and travel around the world. This impact was very clear when I visited Messe on 12 January for the 2023 Demotex Flooring and Rug Exhibition in Hanover, Germany.

Exhibitor numbers were very low, and only two halls out of six were occupied. The entire hard flooring, outdoor design, and machine-made rug sectors, were missing, as were almost all of the Persian carpet exhibitors, which used to be the heart and focus of this exhibition. 

The absence of famous designers such as Rugstar, Sahar, Jan Kath, Luke Erwin, Hossein Rezwant, and Bayat, meant that there was a lack of the excitement that is usually generated by innovative design and predictions for high-fashion interior trends. Visitor numbers were low, and there were few delegates present from the influential markets of America and Asia.

It was disappointing to see this exhibition in decline, and I hope that it rebuilds in years to come, because it has always provided a valuable platform for trade, information, conversation, and networking in the fascinating world of Persian carpet and Oriental rug trading.

This visit has been a reminder to me of how vital the online environment has become to this industry, especially since the advent of the COVID-19 coronavirus, as a point of connection between dealer, seller, and buyer. I am grateful for the many loyal customers who have purchased online from Majid Persian carpets over this time.