Interzum & Ligna-Plus share the international spotlight: the woodworking world's grandest events prepare to unfold Germany.

Interzum, the world's largest furniture supply show, and Ligna-Plus, the planet's premier machinery event, take place next month in Cologne and Hannover, Germany, respectively.

The dates of the two overlapping shows have been moved up three weeks from their customary late-May schedules. Interzum will run from April 29-May 3. Ligna opens on May 2 and concludes on May 6. Following is additional information about each of these internationally renowned shows.

Interzum: April 29-May 3

"The future is all about details" is the theme of Interzum 2005. The fair will feature eight different product areas, including: "Locks and Fittings," "Boards, Profiles and Veneers," "Semi-Finished Products" and Upholstered Materials and Accessories."

More than 1,500 companies from 57 countries exhibited at Interzum 2003. All told, exhibits occupied more than 550,000 square feet of the Cologne Fairgrounds. Two-thirds of the 54,000 visitors came from outside of Germany; attendees represented 130 different countries. As of late February, 86 U.S. companies and 13 Canadian companies were scheduled to exhibit at Interzum 2005.

The Interzum Web site features complete details about the show, including a searchable database of exhibitors. The site also includes advance registration and hotel and transportation information.

For more information about attending the fair, contact the Chicago office at [phone] or visit www.interzum.com.

Ligna-Plus: May 2-6

Ligna-Plus Hannover 2005 is poised to rebound in exhibits and visitor attendance following a recession-caused drop in both categories during 2003. More than 1,700 exhibitors from more than 40 nations will display their wares at the Hannover Exhibition Center, site of the 2000 World's Fair. Attendance should fail somewhere between the 100,000 visitors who came in 2003 and the record 114,000 who attended Ligna 2001.

Ligna is best known as the world's largest launching pad for the introduction of new woodworking technology. It is also the place to see the largest display of equipment lines, particularly of German manufacturers. Ligna 2005 will also showcase products and services from 39 U.S. and Canadian exhibitors.

In recent years, Ligna has put a greater emphasis on attracting custom woodworkers. This year, Ligna offers Handwerk Holz, a "show-within-a-show" concept for the small- and mid-shop professional.

Dr. Werner Neubauer, managing director the German Woodworking Machinery Assn., a sponsor of Ligna, said, "Among the wood trades, Ligna had the image of a big industrial show. The tradesmen didn't feel like it was for them. Our targeted new approach aims to give joiners and cabinetmakers--particularly from the north of Germany--a forum and a platform at Ligna where they can get all of the relevant information from industry providers and talk shop with other skilled trades people."

For more information about attending Ligna-Plus, including housing information and a complete exhibitor list, contact Hannover Fairs USA, Princeton, NJ, at (609) 987-11202 or visit www.linagna.de.

COLOGNE PLANS EXPANSION

Four new identical exhibit halls will debut at the Cologne Fairgrounds in 2006, totaling approximately 260,000 square feet of exhibit space.

The new exhibit halls anchor "The Master Plan 2006," a major expansion and modernization project. After arriving at a new train station being built at the main gates of the fairgrounds, visitors will be able to walk "The Trade Fair Boulevard," an artery that will run south to north, connecting all of the exhibit halls. Also planned are several new restaurants and an electronic directional signpost and information system.