The second EUROBAUSTOFF FORUM in XXL format in succession was once again very well received by participants. The more than 35,000 m² of exhibition halls 6 and 7 at KOELNMESSE were a hive of activity: with a total of more than 8,500 visitors, the FORUM was a real crowd-puller on the two days of the trade fair on 5 and 6 November. The FORUM offered the ideal opportunity for intensive discussions - which both shareholders and the more than 500 exhibiting suppliers gladly took advantage of exchanging views on current topics. In addition to the current difficult situation in the construction industry, these included the forward-looking topics of energy-efficient renovation, timber construction and digitalisation.
The main topics in 2023:
GaLaBau exhibition concept
It's the big topic for private customers: their own garden, courtyard and patio design. They look to the experts for inspiration in their high-quality exhibitions. And in order to attract and appeal to the customer time and time again, the exhibits should be regularly presented in new and expressive ways. At the FORUM, trade visitors were able to see for themselves how EUROBAUSTOFF's innovative exhibition concept allows them to present their products flexibly and independently of manufacturer, format or colour scheme. The best thing about it: your competent team is thus optimally supported in advising and selling, also thanks to the transparent price orientation provided by a price table.
Service campus
The challenges facing modern builders' merchants are complex and varied. Workflows and business processes have long been digitalised, staff must be continuously trained and technology must be kept up to date.
At the EUROBAUSTOFF Service Campus, contractors were able to find out how the 360° service portfolio can provide them with optimum support for all processes relevant to them. There was certainly an "aha" effect for many of them as to how versatile and networked this support can be!
Digitalisation
The fact that the FORUM always has its finger on the pulse is demonstrated by the wide range of services in the field of digitalisation. Visitors were able to familiarise themselves with the functions and possibilities of ChatGPT on site. In addition, the extent to which ChatGPT can generate advertising texts in various languages, lengths and versions from existing article information (from ARTIS) was presented.
The cooperation's own e-commerce solution (B2X master clone) was also presented, in which customised product ranges and content can be presented in the company's own design. Visitors were particularly impressed by the possibility of linking stationary retail and the online shop (e.g. using QR codes), which they were able to experience live at the GaLaBau exhibition.
Active marketing
EUROBAUSTOFF provides support in all areas, including marketing, of course! The extensive portfolio covers all areas from print to digital, from customer loyalty to WhatsApp to the new insert concept. In intensive dialogue with the marketing and sales team, visitors learned, for example, how they can use the strong EUROBAUSTOFF campaign to inform professional and private customers about top issues such as energy-efficient renovation. This and many other measures impressed the audience at the FORUM.
Private label Prima
With detailed live set-ups and interesting displays, the Prima brand also attracted a lot of attention at this year's FORUM. Situated in the immediate vicinity of the FORUM Procurement & Purchasing stand, participants were able to find out about the brand's versatile sales promotion programme. The focus was also on sales support measures such as brochures and waterfall stands - both for the flooring range and for WPC and decking boards, which will be launched under the "My Garden" label at the beginning of 2024.
Campaign for energy-efficient refurbishment
The cross-media campaign "fit for the energy transition" proved to be a visitor magnet at the FORUM Procurement & Purchasing stand. With the campaign launched in 2023, EUROBAUSTOFF offers its shareholders the opportunity to present themselves as competent partners on the subject of energy-efficient refurbishment in their regions. The measures range from print products and landing pages to Google Search Ads, newsletter and social media templates. All modules and extension packages were presented in detail at the exhibition stand - as was the additional sales-promoting option of training employees to become "Energy Refurbishment Coordinators" via EUROBAUSTOFF.
Digital exhibition
"Tomorrow is already yesterday": The EUROBAUSTOFF AusstellungDigital concept merges the online world and bricks-and-mortar retail - and tops all previous presentation options. Visitors to the trade fair stand were able to experience the ultimate in contemporary sales live: Visualisation of various articles in different room situations, atmospheric film sequences and helpful processing tips - plus the haptic experience of real product samples. The innovative AI tool in the indoor and outdoor configurator was also presented: it offers customers the opportunity to upload photos of their rooms and virtually try out selected items such as wood and tile flooring, paving stones or decking boards in their own homes.
