In its first return as a physical exhibition since the COVID pandemic, biennial Bathroom and HVAC trade show ISH organiser Messe Frankfurt exclaimed its comeback to be impressive.

Photo credit: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition/Pietro Sutera

The five-day show featured 2,025 exhibitors from 54 countries and attracted 153,734 visitors with 44% from abroad.

However it saw a 22% dip in visitor attendance from the levels in 2019, reported as 188, 234.

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After Germany, the top visiting countries to ISH 2023 included the Netherlands, Italy, France, Switzerland, Belgium, China, Great Britain, Poland, Austria and Turkey.

According to a Messe Frankfurt survey, 94% saw their trade fair visit goals achieved and 96% were satisfied with the range of exhibits.

Chairman of the board of management of Messe Frankfurt Wolfgang Marzin commented: “ISH more than fulfilled the expectations of our customers and came at just the right time to meet the challenges of our time such as climate protection and security of supply.

“The industry presented tangible solutions for the current political requirements, so that the installing trade, as the strongest visitor group, also benefited.”

Topics of interest at the show for bathroom designers included demographic change, introducing bathroom suitable for abilities, with an overarching theme of Solutions for a Sustainable Future  with ideas for conserving materials and resources, as well as touch-free fittings.

According to a Messe Frankfurt survey, 94% saw their trade fair visit goals achieved and 96 per cent were satisfied with the range of exhibits. 52% of the visitors expect the economic situation in the industry to improve.

ISH 2023 has been complemented by the Digital Extension, which is open until April 30, 2023, featuring on-demand lecture recordings from the show’s supporting programme.

The biennial ISH show will return to Frankfurt from March 17 – 21, 2025.