The " Talks " program element in Hall 9, staged between the various "Framing Trends" display modules, will feature internationally renowned professionals such as designer Sebastian Herkner and the architect Ester Bruzkus speaking about the connections between architecture, interior design and product design. On each of the four days of the trade fair top-name architects, planners and designers, along with some interesting new talents, will contribute to the "Talks" program and present innovative projects and fresh new ideas that illustrate the key role of flooring in interior design. After their presentations these experts will exchange their personal views and ideas with the audience in a chaired "MEET&GREET" round of discussions.

For example, on the Friday of the event one of the best-known German product designers, Sebastian Herkner, will speak on the topic of connectivity in relation to design and in particular how it facilitates new innovative possibilities in flooring design. Herkner's product designs and furniture have created a buzz at trade fairs around the world and his work is celebrated for the way in which he marries various cultural references with new techniques and traditional crafts and manufacture.

Lyrical room compositions and unusual combinations of colour and materials characterize the style of architect and interior designer Ester Bruzkus . The Berlinbased trend-setter will be speaking on Saturday about the role of design in creating an architectonic whole. A total of nine speakers will contribute to the trend-oriented Talks. In addition, a selection of universities will be involved in the " NuThinkers " section of the Framing Trends modules, in which students will present their semester project work on the topic "The Future of Flooring". On the final day, Monday, the projects will be introduced in four separate talks.

At the close of each of the talks there will be a new type of "MEET&GREET" session in which the respective speakers, as well as participating representatives from industry and commerce, can meet informally with the audience. This provides a good opportunity for knowledge transfer and productive networking.

Program