Eighty-nine exhibitors set off to showcase at Lineapelle New York. They entered the Metropolitan Pavilion on Wednesday 28 January fully aware that they were facing a particularly challenging edition of the fair. Partly because of the global economic climate and, in particular, the state of the US market (as we reported here). Partly because of the extreme weather alert which, with heavy snowfall and polar temperatures, persuaded — or forced — many people to stay at home. The exhibitors themselves confirmed this to us, explaining that, for this very reason, several meetings had to be cancelled. And yet those same 89 exhibitors dismantled their booths yesterday evening (Thursday 29 February) convinced they had made the right decision to attend. Because Lineapelle New York ultimately proved to be — just as Cher sang back in 1999 — strong enough: resilient enough, strong enough.
Strong enough
Lineapelle New York therefore demonstrated — together with its exhibitors — that it is indeed “strong enough” at such a complicated moment. As the team at the SK!N booth explained to us, “the current historical context calls for a strategic vision geared towards strong market diversification, with particular focus on enhancing the US market, which is characterised by numerous players requiring large volumes of raw materials and favouring the development of productive synergies”. Other exhibitors echoed this view: having started out with very realistic expectations, they received highly targeted, high-quality visits which, despite the ‘price wall’ remaining a difficult issue to tackle, allowed them to present proposals, services and solutions.
What we take home from Lineapelle New York
Above all, we take home one very clear message: never more than today — in a commercial and networking event such as a trade fair — does the value of who visits you matter more than sheer numbers. What may sound like a stock phrase — “the most important clients came by” — has once again been proven at this edition of Lineapelle New York to be a fundamental strategic truth. And if, as some exhibitors reported, “a few emerging designers were also spotted”, the meaning of being strong enough becomes even clearer. To be clear, no signs of a full recovery emerged from Manhattan, but there were meaningful signals nonetheless, including from first-time exhibitors. First: maintaining a presence in a market like the US is essential. Second: today, a trade fair remains a powerful tool for contact, relationships, discovery and negotiation.
A promising first time
“For us it was the first time”, commented Chicca Miramonti of Conceria Gaiera, “as we were looking for confirmation — or denial — from a US market that is still evolving. Evolving both for well-established brands and for new players. The latter always attract our attention and interest, as they help us understand the direction of new perspectives, new research and new spaces. Despite the perfect storm, the fair gave us the opportunity to meet both major clients and new designers and small businesses. Price sensitivity (to put it mildly…) remains the starting point for big brands, especially for core articles. But new proposals born of Italian craftsmanship are always sought after with great interest. Given the weather conditions and the geopolitical and social turmoil, I would absolutely say: a successful first time”.
Read also:
