Messe Düsseldorf have announced their intention to establish a new leather fair called the Great Leather Show (GLS). 'The GLS should become the new leading exhibition in the sector', said Frank Hartmann, head of Igedo and member of Messe Düsseldorf's management board. The new exhibition will be in direct competition with leather events held in Offenbach. Düsseldorf is already established as an international exhibition venue but Offenbach has more than 55 years of association with the leather industry. The GLS will be held twice yearly and will run parallel to the GDS show fair in Offenbach. GLS will showcase bags, belts, gloves and luggage as well as gift and commercial items. The new exhibition has been seen as a direct attack against Messe Offenbach. These conflicts are commonplace in Germany at present with ongoing battles between Düsseldorf and Berlin in the fashion world and another between Hannover and Munich in the industrial sector. Messe Offenbach achieve around 90% of their turnover from the leather sector. 'It is not our aim to attack Offenbach. We are just going by the market', says Hartmann. He believes that the two events can run side by side with Düsseldorf as an international venue and Offenbach as a regional platform.
