With a trade fair clearly geared towards the market, top-class exhibitors and a supporting programme packed with valuable insights, area30 will reaffirm its role as the leading trade fair and industry gathering during the autumn kitchen season from 19 to 24 September 2026.

area30 2026 presents itself as a purposefully refined platform for the key elements shaping today’s kitchen market: guidance, innovation and concrete business deals. From 19 to 24 September, Löhne will once again become the industry’s central meeting place – featuring around 180 brands, fresh ideas and a clear focus on what matters most to trade visitors: experiencing new products, strengthening contacts and making decisions on the product range. Around 12,000 trade visitors are expected again this year.

From the very beginning, a key reason for visiting area30 has been the exhibitors’ latest products and services, which are presented in great depth and with high relevance. They offer trade visitors a concise overview of current market developments and lay the foundations for well-informed and promising decisions in day-to-day business.

Consistent market focus
As he takes up his post, the new Managing Director of trendfairs GmbH, Christopher Boss, is setting a clear direction: area30 will be aligned even more closely with the needs of the market – with better guidance for trade visitors, new ideas for innovation and networking, and an unchanged strong focus on order-taking. “We are constantly developing area30 with the market in mind. More guidance, enriching encounters and inspiration create real added value for our visitors. At the same time, our aim remains unchanged: area30 is and will remain a trade fair for placing orders – this is where business is initiated and decisions are made,” said Boss.

Making the most of your trade fair visit: Guided Tours & long tuesday
To make visits to the trade fair even more targeted and efficient, area30 2026 is placing greater emphasis on guided tours. These lead visitors in a structured manner to relevant exhibitors, topics and innovations, thereby making it easier for them to find their way around the exhibition grounds. “We have found that it is not only exhibitors who benefit from the guided tours; visitors also gain a concise overview of a topic area important to them in a short space of time. Given visitors’ packed schedules in particular, we are helping to ensure they don’t miss out on anything relevant,” explains Boss. Registration for the tours takes place online, but can also be done on the spot.

Another new format is ‘long tuesday’ on 22 September 2026. With extended opening hours into the evening, area30 is deliberately creating more space for in-depth discussions, comparisons and business deals. For many trade visitors, this evening is set to become a fixed fixture in the trade fair calendar.

Effective formats for the skilled trades and partnerships
‘Folding Rule Day’ on Wednesday 23 September is specifically aimed at joiners and cabinetmakers. Guided tours and specialist talks on the stage will demonstrate in a practical way how bespoke kitchens can be created efficiently and precisely – with a clear focus on the requirements of the modern kitchen trade.

The event is supported by a partnership with KMG Zumbrock GmbH. The Kitchen Purchasing Association for kitchen studios, joiners and cabinetmakers will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2026 and, to mark this occasion, is inviting all trade fair visitors to the networking happy hour ‘A Future Made to Measure – by KMG’. It’s the perfect setting to round off the day and make new contacts.

stage: Knowledge for the kitchen market
The stage is a central focal point of area30. It brings together knowledge, trends and practical benchmarks for the kitchen retail sector. The focus is on the industry’s current challenges, ranging from changing market conditions and digitalisation to new business models.

To kick things off on the Sunday of the trade fair, for example, Michael Renner, one of the most sought-after sales trainers in the kitchen retail sector, will demonstrate how to secure turnover even in times of consumer reluctance. Theresa Schleicher, a renowned futurologist and expert on the transformation of the retail sector, will shed light on the future of retail with a focus on consumer behaviour, AI and new business models. As a trends expert, Katrin de Louw will analyse current design and interior trends and highlight their significance for the specialist kitchen retail sector. Futurist Barbara Busse also returns following her acclaimed appearances in previous years to provide insights into the changing lifestyles and expectations of customers.

The programme is complemented by presentations on social media and artificial intelligence, which highlight specific areas of application for the kitchen retail sector.

Another highlight is the möbelkultur Talk on Sunday 20 September, organised in partnership with Vincentz Verlag. Under the title “Price is not the problem”, representatives from industry, the retail sector and trade associations will discuss new ways of creating greater added value in the kitchen market. Afterwards, Vincentz Verlag will host a networking happy hour.

Further details and speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. The programme specifically addresses the current challenges facing the kitchen retail sector and offers practical solutions.

Why it’s worth a visit

area30 brings together what the market needs today: substantial innovations, guidance and concrete business opportunities in a neutral setting. Trade visitors gain a concise overview of new products, trends and developments, providing them with a clear basis for decision-making to ensure their business success.

Trade visitors wishing to attend can register now. The ticket shop is open.

Further information is available at www.area-30.de

Next Show
19 to 24 September 2026

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