Trade visitors of over 100,000 from 138 countries were registered for the eight-day event held at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via fairgrounds. Just over 90 percent of the visitors came from outside of Spain.

Stephen Combes, President of CEMATEX, said: “ITMA 2011 has surpassed our expectations. Considering that the world is still facing economic difficulties, the vast majority of our exhibitors are delighted with the quality and the number of visitors. According to our national associations, their members have reported significant enquiries and many have taken even more orders than they hoped for.”

Italy fielded the largest contingent of 9 percent of visitors, followed by host country Spain, then India. Germany and Turkey ranked fourth and fifth respectively in the visitorship tally. Making it to the top 10 list from outside Europe are Brazil and Iran.

The Indian delegation was among the 50-plus groups from 27 countries at the exhibition. The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) delegation was headed by the Secretary of Textiles from Bangladesh. The Vietnamese Vice Minister of Trade and Industry also led a delegation. Association groups came from all over the world, ranging from Africa, Asia, Europe, Central and South America, and the Middle East.

On the show floor, ITMA 2011 attracted 1,350 exhibitors from 45 countries and economies who demonstrated their latest technological products and innovative solutions. Another major area of focus was sustainability. Many exhibitors displayed their latest green technology and products that are friendly to the environment.

The new fiber and yarn sector was particularly well-received by both exhibitors and visitors.

“The opening of a fiber and yarn sector this year was one of the greatest initiatives announced for ITMA’s 60th anniversary edition. In our first participation at ITMA, we could meet both current and new customers from around the globe. ITMA was a perfect platform to communicate our marketing innovations and sustainability plan: ‘Planet Agenda’,” said Ms. Denise Sakuma, Global Director of Brand & Communications at INVISTA Apparel Business.

Mr. Michael P. Viniconis, President of Argus Fire Control, whose company has been exhibiting for eight editions of ITMA enthused, “This has been the best ITMA ever! The exposure we have received has been fantastic and we have seen a large number of visitors from many different countries. We are happy with the business opportunities from this show and are ready to book space for ITMA 2015.”

Marking 60 years since its first show in 1951, ITMA 2011 featured exhibits from the entire textile and garment making value-chain spread over 200,000 square meters of gross exhibition space.

Show owner CEMATEX, the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers, along with organizer MP International, introduced several new and innovative offerings tailored to suit the changing needs of the global industry.

Innovation at its best

Miss Maria Avery, Secretary General of CEMATEX said: “The main focus of ITMA has always been about innovation, and it has never been more apparent than at the 2011 edition. We have received many commendations for the conferences we have introduced, along with the new chapters we have added to the exhibition profile. This evolution of ITMA has paved the way for greater success for future editions to promote innovation at its best.”

Some 700 industry professionals were present for ‘Conferences @ITMA’, a series of collaborative events designed to cater to specific industries and sectors, which included the World Textile Summit, Sustainable Textile Leaders Roundtable, Textile Dyestuff and Chemical Leaders Forum, IFAI Advanced Textiles Europe 2011, and the Young Entrepreneurs of Textile International Meeting.

“The Forum has achieved its objectives. From speakers to attendees, the quality of discussion generated will definitely spark more innovative solutions for a sustainable future,” said Mr. Andrew Filarowski, Technical Director of Society of Dyers and Colourists and Moderator for the Textile Dyestuff and Chemical Leaders Forum.

Apart from educational events, research and education was another focus for this 16th edition of ITMA. As part of the move by CEMATEX to focus on the sustainable development of the textile and garment industry, the Research & Education (R&E) Pavilion presented leading textile materials and technology research from 47 universities and institutes from 20 countries. Highlights included the European Textile Research and Education Pavilion led by AUTEX, EURATEX and TEXTRANET, and the Speakers’ Platform, where participants presented their latest research findings.

Plans for 2015

With the success of ITMA 2011, preparations are already underway for the next edition of

ITMA, which will be held in Milan, Italy.

Sandro Salmoiraghi, President of ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery

Manufacturers, said: “Italy is delighted to be chosen to host the 2015 edition of ITMA. We are already in talks with the Milan city officials and other relevant stakeholders to deliver a world class event.”

MP International’s Ms. Phua, said: “We look forward to working with CEMATEX again for the next edition of ITMA. Despite the challenging business environment, we are encouraged by the warm response. We will take in the suggestions of our participants and continue to build a platform that is relevant to the industry.”

ITMA 2015 will be held from 12 to 19 November 2015 at the Fiera Milano (Rho) in Milan, Italy.

For more information, visit www.itma.com.