A milestone, a purely retail-focused fair, and a relief in terms of setup, exhibitors at the Klokgebouw in Eindhoven, Netherlands, agree: Destination Design has firmly established itself. Despite a slow start due to the winter weather, participants report a high-quality audience and an international turnout that exceeded expectations.
The Destination Design trade show at the Klokgebouw has been met with predominantly positive feedback from exhibitors. During their visit, Wonen360 (Dutch version of InteriorDaily) spoke with several participants, who particularly praised the focus on retail, the quality of visitors, and the calm, well-organised setup. After a quiet start on Sunday, partly due to the beautiful winter weather, the fair picked up noticeably on Monday and Tuesday. The international presence was especially striking, with a significant number of visitors from Germany and Belgium.
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Destination Design has firmly positioned itself as a true retail fair. "It's clear that most visitors here are retailers," could be heard at multiple stands. Exhibitors say this focus leads to meaningful conversations and serious business discussions, though whether it results in immediate orders will only become clear in the weeks following the fair.
Joost van Ede from Qliv praised the fair's layout: "The curtains between showrooms created a sense of calm and coherence. This unity in presentation adds to the professional feel of the event." He did note that the lighting could be optimised further next time.
For Pieter Coesel, exhibiting at Destination Design was more than just another trade show, it was a milestone. "For me, this is the best fair in the Netherlands," he said. "We've welcomed many buyers and full store teams, and the response has been extremely positive." His enthusiasm highlights the event's appeal to both emerging and established players in the market.
At Spinder Design, Destination Design offered a platform to showcase innovation. Anna Venema explained that the brand is aiming for a younger look while further elevating product quality. "Coat racks sell well online, but they're more challenging in-store. With larger furniture pieces, we want to strengthen our connection with retailers."
Arnold Augustinus from Hadu Meubelagenturen, representing the German brand Piure, reflected positively: "We secured many promising agreements, and several visitors expressed interest in our upcoming home show. The fair confirms growing demand for high-quality, modular solutions."
Alette Trompetter from Harvink echoed this sentiment: "We continue to produce true Harvink furniture, but now also offer seating with softer comfort and a more contemporary design. This balance has been well-received by visitors."
Lennert Vermeulen of Joli described Destination Design as "very accessible. You don't need sprinting shoes here; everything is nicely arranged together." Jorre van Ast of Arco added: "We welcomed dealers and full teams that you rarely see at international fairs. The event's scale lowers the threshold for in-depth engagement."
Artifort and Montis, both part of the Lande family, shared one stand. Maurits van der Lande commented: "Destination Design is a real retail fair, and our collections complement each other perfectly. Having two brands in one stand worked extremely well for us."
A strong foundation for the future
While the full commercial impact will only become clear in the coming weeks, exhibitors agree that Destination Design has laid a solid foundation. With a clear retail focus, ample room for meaningful engagement, and a growing international presence, the fair is quickly distinguishing itself within the Dutch trade show landscape. Future editions will determine whether this first impression translates into long-term success.
More information:
Destination Design
www.destinationdesign.nl
