The visitor was presented with an outstanding picture: exclusive kitchen setups, skilfully interrupted again and again by tasteful retreats such as sofa landscapes, blended charmingly into the industrial backdrop of the hall. At the same time, the association incorporated the club and foyer on the lower level. GfM partners, including Neff, Siemens and Miele, showed the latest in fixtures and technical appliances, framed by massive concrete piles.

"We couldn't have picked a better place for," Ottenbacher expresses his enthusiasm. "We have so many opportunities to exhibit, make contacts and give presentations here." In addition, the Grand Hall with its great service lends itself to celebrating a party including a large buffet after the trade fair days. And then later to spend the night at the Hotel Friends on the grounds of Zollverein. "We have never before booked the same location twice in a row for our trade fair," says Ottenbacher. That's changing now: The reservation for the next GfM Trends has long been fixed - naturally and not hard to guess: 2024 in the Grand Hall.