In addition to the opportunity for first-class business, the INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR COLOGNE 2014 offered a successful platform for business communications in the scope of the EISEN Forum. As a trusted format, the BHB Forum, featuring the award-ceremony, the BME Buyers’ Day and the ‘President Council’ comprising international buying groups such as Canadian Tire, Hornbach and KWB, went down very well again this year with the trade audience. For the first time the dialogue was actively promoted through the formats ‘Expert Talks’ and the ‘Speakers’ Corner’. In this format, excellent speakers shared their valuable expert know-how with a wide trade audience and exhibitors presented their companies. Thomas Dammann, Chief Executive of the Central Association of the Hardware Trade e.V. (ZHH) is convinced that the fair is on the right course: “A good mood and top quality discussions are what characterised the INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR COLOGNE this year. Many exhibitors travelled to Cologne again with new and innovative products, which turns the INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR COLOGNE into a source of ideas for the industry.