GDS celebrate 100th edition

The 100th GDS in September 2005 attracted 38,381 buyers from 81 countries to Düsseldorf. Figures, therefore, have remained stable compared with the GDS event in March 2005. This is particularly pleasing in light of the 10% drop in the number of German specialist retailers between 2002 and 2004 that has accompanied similar developments in other European countries such as France, Spain and Italy. Another positive development was the increase in visitors from Italy, the new EU member states, South Africa as well as both South and Central America. Visitor numbers from Great Britain, France, Holland, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland and from Canada and the USA remained the same. The new schedule, with the fair starting on Sunday, proved successful from the word go. Of significance was not just the increase in orders but also visitor assessment of trends at GDS: around 60% placed orders. Approximately 90% said they were pleased with the trends featured here. Many celebrities attended the event, including shoe designers Manolo Blahnik and Emma Hope, model Nadja Auermann and German film stars Katja Flint, Anja Kruse, Anna Loos and Natalia Wörner. 'For us, the 100th GDS was a great success - and a tribute to our unique success story. The feedback received on our numerous special events was positive as was as the general overall mood of both exhibitors and visitors. Business at the fair also went very well. It is especially pleasing to see the quality of buyers with top decision-makers in charge of budgets and key accounts', said Werner M. Dornscheidt, ceo at Messe Düsseldorf. Starting in 2006, GDS plans to meet the market on earlier trade fair dates. Therefore it will now run at the following dates: 5th to 7th March 2006 and 10th to 12th September 2006 Further information on all activities about GDS can also be found on the website at [http://www.gds-online.com]