Around 15,000 trade visitors from 115 countries headed to Cologne this week for the annual Kind + Jugend show.
From 3 to 5 September, Kind + Jugend delivered a successful trade fair experience for exhibitors and trade visitors from all over the world, solidifying its position as a leading international trade fair for baby and toddler products.
Drawing 912 exhibitors from 43 countries, Kind + Jugend welcomed approximately 15,000 trade visitors from 115 countries, who discovered the latest products and innovations, forged connections and sealed business deals.
“The vibrant atmosphere in the exhibition halls and favourable feedback from our customers underscore the event’s strong performance. Once again, Kind + Jugend has demonstrated that it is indispensable as a business and innovation platform for the global industry,” said Oliver Frese, coo of Koelnmesse.
The Innovation Award and additional Midwives’ Choice award, alongside a dedicated special exhibition and lecture programme, provided visitors with a compact overview of new developments, future trends and innovations from both industry and retail. Experts from Germany and further afield used the Trend Forum to present the latest studies and analyses, explain business models and share best practices with an audience of industry professionals.
“Kind + Jugend is a must-attend event for anyone who wants to see what the children’s rooms of tomorrow will look like on all seven continents. New products and trends are presented in Cologne before anywhere else. The future of the industry happens here,” said Jörg Schmale, director of Kind + Jugend.
This year’s Kind + Jugend featured top trends such as multifunctional products, solutions that simplify daily life, products that grow with the child, ergonomic designs, and smart technology aimed at enhancing child safety. Sustainability continued to be a key focus. A growing number of products are being made from recycled materials and some manufacturers even offer recycling and upcycling programmes.
The 2024 show combined established formats like the Start-up Area and Young Innovators area with new concepts, including the Novelties Trail with a concise overview of the year’s most exciting new products. Furthermore, the new Networking Zone created more opportunities for personal exchange and conducting business.
The decision to hold the trade fair from Tuesday to Thursday was met with positive feedback from both exhibitors and trade visitors, contributing to the overall success of the event.
In addition, the trade fair supported social projects by donating 100 products to charity in partnership with Diakonie Michaelshoven in celebration of Koelnmesse’s 100th anniversary.
Kind + Jugend 2024 in numbers
- 912 companies from 43 countries, with a foreign share of 90 percent.
- 88 exhibitors from Germany and 824 exhibitors from abroad.
- Including estimates for the last day of the fair, around 15,000 visitors from 115 countries attended Kind + Jugend 2024.
- The international share of trade visitors was 77 percent.
The next Kind + Jugend will take place from 9 to 11 September 2025.
