299 suppliers from 27 countries – Trade fair duo of aquanale and FSB with around 24,000 visitors – High level of national and international contacts – 4th Cologne Swimming Pool and Wellness Forum with very good response – Trend-setters: natural pools, energy efficiency, elegant design, much comfort and digital control systems.
On Saturday, 29th October, aquanale, International Trade Fair for Sauna, Pool, Ambience, closed in Cologne with very good results and an excellent mood. In combination with FSB, International Trade Fair for Amenity Areas, Sports and Pool Facilities, aquanale registered around 24,000 visitors. This result confirmed visitor figures on a very high level. The number of exhibiting companies increased by 10% to 299 suppliers from 27 countries. 33% of companies and the same proportion of visitors came to Cologne from abroad. Aquanale was the only international trade fair for swimming pools and wellness to be held in Germany this year. Its range of products and services was complemented by the public swimming pools sector at FSB.
National and international contacts at top level
The conclusion drawn by the sector was also extremely positive. The high volume of visitors ensured great satisfaction among the exhibitors. The exhibitors were also very positive in their assessment of the international visitors. Increases in visitor numbers were registered in particular from Eastern Europe, but also from Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Spain, the Benelux countries and Scandinavia.
Positive assessment given by the visitors
Not only the exhibitors, but also the visitors gave a positive assessment. In this connection, the visitor survey revealed that 77% of the respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with aquanale overall, while 81% said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the attaining of their visit objectives. The comprehensive product spectrum also ensured that 80% assessed the range at the fair as good or very good. This predominantly positive assessment of the event resulted in aquanale being further recommended by 92% of visitors.
4th Cologne Swimming Pool and Wellness Forum very well attended
The 4th Cologne Swimming Pool and Wellness Forum also registered a very good visitor response. Around 300 participants made use of the trend and contact exchange set up by the swimming pool, sauna and wellness industry aimed at discussing and expanding the latest sector themes. “It was very encouraging that the number of participants, in particular from the public pool sector, has more than doubled”, was the assessment by Dieter C. Rangol. This year, the forum, concerned itself with swimming pool safety, modern marketing tools for public pools along with the efficiency of wellness facilities at hotels. In this connection, the theme of “National and international standardization” in particular met with great interest. The programme was rounded off by the “Natural pools and swimming ponds” special theme.
The trends at aquanale 2011: Natural pools, energy efficiency, elegant design, comfort and digital control systems
The desire for a more natural aspect to swimming pools was also the focus of attention in the exhibition halls. All around an accessible theme area with natural pool, swimming pond and corresponding garden layout, the German Society for Natural Swimming Water (DGfnB - Deutsche Gesellschaft für naturnahe Badegewässer) provided information about the trend towards the most natural possible form of swimming pleasure. Numerous visitors made use of the range of information to find out more about the special features of biologically-treated swimming water. The operators of classic swimming pools also registered increased environmental awareness. In this context, an increasing number of energy-efficient solutions were presented such as a low-energy pool, heat pumps, which use increasingly less electricity for heat generation, swimming pool coverings with special solar covers or also saunas and steam baths with clearly-reduced energy consumption. As far as design is concerned, simple, plain elegance is the trend-setter. Purist forms, clear lines and natural colours are very popular. In addition, the fronts of saunas and steam baths are dominated by a great deal of glass. Not least sauna and pool operators will in future be able to look forward to even greater comfort. Wellness is also continuing to enjoy high popularity. Here the spectrum extends from relaxation loungers with special pendulum function for “Power Napping”, through to bath tubs for spa and Thalasso therapy applications as well as loungers for hydro massages up to new products and innovations from the SPA and light applications premium sector. 
aquanale 2013
The next aquanale, International Trade Fair for Sauna, Pool, Ambience, will be held from Wednesday, 23rd to Saturday, 26th October 2013 parallel and directly adjacent to the theme-related event FSB, International Trade Fair for Amenity Areas, Sports and Pool Facilities.
