The three-day show welcomed 42,165 visitors, illustrating a sign of China’s increasing economic importance on a global scale; the number of international visitors increased to 11,379 compared to last year’s show. Showgoers traveled from 107 countries, including the U.S. and Canada, South Korea, Japan, Australia, India and parts of Europe.

Show organizers state, “Flooring industry players should never forget that the Chinese market, both in construction and flooring, is developing fast and facing important changes. China has become one of the biggest consumers of floors in the world.”

The show played host to a number of events geared toward specific segments of the construction industry. The Wood Flooring Forum featured among its topics a discussion on Chinese and American flooring markets, e-commerce development in the flooring industry, and opportunities for cooperation between wood flooring manufacturers and real estate developers.

The Shanghai Architect Fair explored new trends in architectural design, the business model and branding strategy of successful architecture and design firms, and Chinese architectural practices and material innovation, among other topics.

The Carpet Technology Forum focused on developments in renewable fiber, the Chinese carpet industry, tufting technology, and green carpet and backing considerations.

The Materials for Future Floors Exhibit from Materia showcased flooring materials made of wood, metal and more, along with the latest in load-bearing glass floors, optic flooring and “reactive floors” designed to surprise and promote innovation, according to event organizers.

Leading companies exhibiting on the show floor included Power Décor, Kronoswiss, Berry Alloc, Amorim, Sika, Gerflor, Armstrong, LG Hausys, Forbo, Balta, Mannington, DuPont and Oriental Weavers. Themed international pavilions housed products from America, Belgium, Germany, India, Iran, Pakistan, the Netherlands and Turkey.

Four halls (each 107,600 square feet) were filled with carpet products and technologies, along with two halls dedicated to resilient flooring, and four additional halls dedicated to wood flooring products and technology.

Architects and designers were drawn to the event, both for Domotex Asia/Chinafloor and a co-located show called Deco+ Exhibition dedicated to high-end construction products.

Domotex Asia/Chinafloor will return to Shanghai next year, March 25-27, 2014. For more information, visit www.domotexasiachinafloor.com/en