For the second consecutive year, Domotex USA was held in Atlanta last week. While the inaugural event in 2019 welcomed some 280 exhibitors from 25 countries, this year’s show floor was surprisingly sparse. Only around 90 exhibitors displayed their products and solutions, and booth traffic was tepid during the opening day of exhibits.
It’s true that a number of manufacturers and attendees from China were unable to make it to Atlanta due to the coronavirus quarantine. However, that alone doesn’t explain the lackluster attendance. K&A engaged with several exhibitors who believed the scheduling of the show – so close to the International Builders’ Show and Surfaces – could have contributed adversely.
Despite slower-than-expected traffic, exhibitors showcased a number of interesting products and solutions. Today’s residential and commercial flooring customers desire beauty and durability in their flooring surfaces – without sacrificing quality or affordability. And, it’s abundantly clear that manufacturers are rising to that challenge.
Our team absorbed a multitude of new resilient flooring offerings along with advanced techniques for printing area rugs and new processes that enable machine-tufting of up to 16 colors. From a design perspective, color, pattern and texture were on display at every turn. One of the most striking examples was Milliken’s ceiling-to-floor rug… featuring an abstract interpretation of a woman’s profile brought to life in a spectrum of vivid hues, set against a dramatic black background.
Shaw’s COREtec booth also impressed us with its creative 3D lifestyle-focused displays, which were fun and inspired. Freudenberg’s immersive booth featured a mountain meadow backdrop and floor blooming with wildflowers… which nicely reinforced the brand’s eco-friendly focus.
In 2021, Domotex USA is scheduled to be held once again in Atlanta. But instead, in early March. This scheduling should be more palatable for most potential exhibitors. Still, we can’t help but wonder if this year’s less than stellar showing might have given many companies the impetus to spend their marketing dollars elsewhere. Only time will tell.
Watch our short highlights video to see some of Domotex 2020’s most noteworthy offerings.
