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Trends
Medellín shone once again with the 12th edition of La Feria De Diseño Medellín powered by imm cologne, a three-day event that put the city and Colombia on the global design map. This year, the Fair was not only a commercial space, but also a collective experience that integrated business, inspiration, knowledge, and connection.
The results speak for themselves: 21,150 visitors toured the Plaza Mayor pavilions and participated in the many experiences offered by the Fair. Among them, 1,644 international visitors from 40 countries came to discover the creative potential of the region. Never before had Medellín attracted so much international attention to a single design event, marking significant growth compared to previous editions.
A space for business and international exposure
The Fair brought together 267 brands in categories such as furniture, architecture, interior design, lighting, technology, kitchenware, wellness, decoration, and outdoor spaces. Local and international companies agreed on the high level of professionalism and the business opportunities generated.
One of the highlights was the Business Roundtable, organized with the support of ProColombia. There, 113 buyers from countries such as Mexico, Panama, Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the United States met with Colombian entrepreneurs in more than 720 scheduled appointments. These meetings not only led to immediate business deals, but also to the establishment of strategic relationships with great future potential.
The economic impact was also significant: the fair left an estimated $14 million in Medellín, directly benefiting sectors such as hospitality, gastronomy, transportation, and local commerce. These figures not only reflect the success of the event, but also confirm how design can become an engine of economic development for the city.
Beyond the numbers, La Feria became a space for reflection and learning. The knowledge transfer space exceeded expectations with the Charlas Perpetuas x Bodega/Comfama and Talks by Universidad EIA, which brought together more than 3,000 attendees in sessions led by 60 national and international speakers.
Among the prominent names were Colombian designer Juan Montoya, Spaniard Eugeni Quitllet, Spaniard Carmen Barasona, and Jorge Uribe from Foster + Partners. The conversations addressed key issues such as sustainability, hospitality, well-being, and innovation, demonstrating that Latin American design not only showcases products but also proposes ideas that engage with the future.
The Fair’s program also included new experiences such as the Materials Laboratory; the Cosmo Kids space, designed for children to experience design; and the Creators space curated by WantedDesign (NY), which brought an international perspective to the region’s emerging talent.
Medellín, a city that vibrated with La Feria
The magic of La Feria extended beyond the pavilions. Medellín was transformed into a stage with 35 Satellite Events in universities, galleries, restaurants, shops, and cultural spaces. The entire city vibrated with activities that connected the local design industry community with international guests, activating networks and generating a lively experience that transcended the fairgrounds.
This ability to expand the experience to the city was one of the aspects most valued by international visitors, who highlighted Medellín’s open and participatory character.
International projection and promising future
The scope of this edition was also reflected in its global recognition. From Germany, Koelnmesse integrated La Feria into its portfolio of international events, alongside such important events as imm cologne, ORGATEC, spoga+gafa, and idd cologne. This confirms that La Feria De Diseño Medellín powered by imm cologne is now the Latin American platform with the greatest growth potential and a clear path towards internationalization.
At the close, the words of Eddy Karmona, co-founder and CEO, summed up the experience: “This is no longer a fair in Medellín, it is a Latin American fair for the world.” A statement that reflects how this edition consolidated Medellín as a creative, economic, and cultural epicenter.
The date for the 13th edition has already been set: the next edition of the Fair will take place from September 10 to 12, 2026. Expectations are higher than ever, and the challenge will be to continue growing in impact, professionalism, and international reach.
Medellín demonstrated that design is not just an industry, it is also a way to project identity, generate development, and build community. La Feria will remain in everyone’s memory as an event that made history and reaffirmed Medellín as the epicenter of design in Latin America and the Caribbean.
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