Design show gears up for 20th anniversary
Every year interior designers, manufacturers, and other homedecor industry experts meet up at the International Design Show (IDS) in Toronto. With exhibitor space that is open to both trade and public, as well as a varied lineup of speakers and other high-end networking events, IDS has become one of the go-to design shows.
“This year we celebrated our 19th year, and every year, we see nearly 53,000 people attend,” said Karen Kang, national director of IDS Canada. “It is not just the big brands that participate at IDS, but we are a design event that is very highly curated — not everyone who applies gets accepted. We always have a real mix of different products for the home as well as different innovations, and we give out booth awards along with design awards for emerging designers. This year we also had special feature installations scattered all around the showroom floor, boasting all of the new trends.”
Montreal brands have always had a strong presence at IDS, and this year’s event, held in January, saw Mobilia win gold for Best Booth Design. The Montreal-based furniture company known for its streamlined, modern designs had never before exhibited at the event. Another Montreal-based company, Montauk, however, was making its 19th appearance at IDS.
“We are always really excited to have Montreal- or Quebec-based companies at our show,” Kang said. “There are really great products that are being designed there, and it’s a mix of established companies and emerging designers who participate annually.”
Danny Chartier is visual director at Montauk and not only did they showcase their well-known couches at this year’s IDS, but Montauk also announced a new partnership with Valcucine, an Italian kitchen company. “We love doing these shows,” Chartier said. “You touch a lot of people in one day, which is great, and it is done in a comfortable, casual atmosphere. We get a lot of inquiries about our couches following the show.
“And our new kitchen announcement was very well-received,” he said. “People are very excited about us introducing this company because it’s different. These kitchens are very minimalist and you feel like you are cooking in a restaurant. There’s a lot of glass and stainless steel, and they are extremely eco-friendly.
“We will get to carry them exclusively in Canada. And everyone was excited about this at IDS.”
The IDS show has become a wellrespected venue not only as someplace for local companies to premiere new collections and designs, but for international companies to break into and test the Canadian market as well.
“We are really excited because we have become a resource for Canadian design and manufacturers, but also international companies who are making their launch in Canada,” Kang said. “We can be a platform, whether international or local, and promote Canadian design, too.”
A regional IDS event will be held in Vancouver this fall, from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1. Plans for the show’s 20th anniversary in Toronto are in the works, with the dates set for Jan. 19-22, 2018.