In the last few years trade fair design has developed into an interdisciplinary field for architects, scenographers, classical trade fair builders, communication and media designers, advertising and event agencies. With absolutely no barriers concerning fantasies in form, colour and space, innovative and impressive concepts are created. In this annual, interior architect Karin Schulte has selected interesting examples in the German speaking area. She visited the most significant trade fairs and examined small and large trade fair stands: Vitra, Carpet Concept, Interstuhl, Kvadrat, Toucan-T, Eternit, Egger, Creation Baumann, Sch?nbuch, Mosa Tiles, Arwa, Chrysler, Siteco, Louis Poulsen, Seufert Niklaus GmbH, Licht und Raum AG, Adidas Salomon AG, Sony.

While technological change is generating an increasing number of virtual modes of communication, the exhibition stand remains a core element in the business, branding and marketing strategy of so many companies. The fifth edition of the International Trade Fair Annual brings together well-known and less well-known designers, working for well-known clients such as Audi, BMW, O2, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Sony and Volkswagen, and for others less well-known ? united by the inspiration, intelligence and imagination needed to compete creatively in the international market for trade fair stand design. Conway Lloyd Morgan is Programme Leader in New Media Publishing at the University of Wales, Newport, and the author of numerous books and monographs on design and architecture.

The selection for this edition of the International Trade Fair Stand Annual mirrors some of the trends of global business, with the inclusion of stands from Japan, China and Thailand, marking the growing importance of the Eastern market. The USA and Europe, as always, are also well re-presented. The paradox remains that while technological change is devising increasing numbers of virtual modes of communication, the exhibition stand remains a core element in the business, branding and marketing strategy of so many companies.