Contract will be even more ‘centre-stage’ at the forthcoming edition of HostMilano – at fieramilano from 13 to 17 October 2023 – which is increasingly proving itself to be the ‘one-stop shop’ for Ho.Re.Ca. and Retail, truly catering to all of its format requirements: from small accessories to big turnkey projects.

So what are companies expecting to find at Hostmilano? Certainly they will be looking forward to meeting an international clientele, strengthening old links and establishing new ones: high-profile, expert buyers, with a passion for design and product quality.

And what trends satisfy the demands coming from company operators? The latest trends pay great attention to comfort and aesthetics. In particular, says Matteo Pambianco of Vermobil: “Outdoor furnishings are a visiting card for any establishment and we are seeing more and more upholstered products with fabric covers, decorations featuring the use of cord in various colours, inserts in various materials and better, more high-performance paintwork.” Vermobil is also committed to sustainability: “We have now completed our investment in a new washing system for the painting division. This eliminates the disposal of sludge and reduces CO₂ emissions. In addition to that, we are cutting our use of plastic packaging in favour of cardboard.”

Comfort and design also matter to Floriana Nardi, CEO of Nardi, and need to be created with sustainability in mind: “In 2019 we presented our Regeneration line, a range of products made using post-consumer plastic material comprising stools, tables, an extendable table and a modular partition for outdoor use. Then, since January 2023, all our plants have exclusively used electrical energy from renewable sources.” There will be no shortage of new ideas: “Our Net Lounge relaxation chair is made of fully recyclable polypropylene fibreglass, with an undulating design. Equally important is our Stack and Combo collection of stools and tables, made of recycled plastic and featuring an eco-friendly design”.

Another new trend, identified by the head of marketing and sales at Blumohito, Andrea Osti, is the pursuit of simplicity: “We are seeing a tendency towards simple, low-maintenance products”. As for sustainability, the company is adopting solutions that limit consumption: “All our water systems use re-circulation and are equipped with timers so that the operator can manage effective usage times from a smartphone and avoid waste.” The visitors the company is expecting to meet at HostMilano are highly professional users, as the head of marketing explains: “We look forward to meeting those seeking out innovative solutions to personalise their spaces in both aesthetic and functional terms. We will be focusing in particular on Europe and North Africa.”

At HostMilano innovation will also be seen in other aspects such as covers. “Wallpaper is a democratic solution that can be of interest to a professional clientele, but also to companies themselves”, adds Claudia Vicini, communication manager at Wallpepper. “It is an element that is constantly evolving from a technical and creative point of view, and Italian production is making a difference in the field on a worldwide scale. Thanks to technological and experimental innovations, wallpaper  has also become a hi-tech material: it can now also be used on bathroom surfaces or in outdoor settings. Sound-absorbing wallpaper is now also available”.

As the fair approaches, more and more new ideas are appearing. HostMilano will be held from 13 to 17 October 2023 at fieramilano.