COMO, IT—Timed for the 22^nd edition of Proposte, the Board of Directors have decided to allow non-European exhibitors into the show at the Villa Erba here, April 27/29, 2015 according to a spokesperson for the exclusive home fabrics exhibition.

Proposte has also confirmed the recently circulated rumors, that in fact, Marteks, Vanelli and Penelope, well recognized as three of the best Turkish mills, would be invited to participate in Proposte in 2015.

In order to qualify for admission to Proposte, exhibitors must produce collections of fabrics and curtains in the medium-high or high end of the market, the organizer says. This would also apply to the three Turkish mills or to any other mills which want to be considered for admission as exhibitors.

 “This is no doubt an attempt to make Proposte more global in its presentation in order to maintain its attraction to the trade,” industry watchers say. “Over the past five years, Proposte has seen a decline in the numbers of exhibitors it hosted at Villa Erba,” the same source said.

On a separate note, Proposte will take a stronger role in controlling which exhibitors exhibit outside of Villa Erba during Proposte by launching ‘International Observatory’ to other potential exhibitors in and around Proposte itself.

Proposte srl, which organizes Proposte, “considers worthwhile organizing the offers present in Cernobbio and Como during the days when the exhibition of Proposte takes place, April 27-29, 2015,” a Proposte spokesperson said.

“For this purpose, Proposte srl has appointed Ascontex Promozioni srl, in order to organize International Observatory to be be held April 27/29, 2015, in the same opening hours of Proposte. It will be hosted at Grand Hotel di Como and in other locations near Villa Erba such as Cernobbio Shed and Villa Bernasconi,” the same Proposte source said.

“In this way the exhibition’s offer will be enriched by the presence of the leading global manufacturers of textile furnishings, which will show to a public more and more international their latest products and most exclusive textile collections,” the spokesperson said.

Ascontex Promozioni srl said it would be working with Ms. Licia Amoroso, who will contact the companies interested in participating in the International Observatory.

The Organizer intends to promote and organize International Observatory, an Event dedicated to companies of the textile industry and related (home decoration) who distinguish themselves for their recognized excellence and reliability, ensuring the high level of quality of the Event. 

Like Proposte, International Observatory is reserved to industrial companies that prove to have the following requirements:

1. They should be direct manufacturers.

2. They should have a corporate production structure and personnel commensurate and consistent with their declared turnover and production activity.

3. They should do business in the medium end of the market and offer original, quality products and collections.

4. They should conduct business in a commercially correct manner and in observance of professional code of ethics of the National Business Association of their home country and should have a correct and sustainable behavior.

5. They should conduct their business in full observance of the fundamental rights of their workers and, especially, without any exploitation of women and children labor.

6. The standard regarding medium to high collections for gaining admission to Proposte is not a requirement for participation in International Observatory.

Of course, private owners of shops, houses and showrooms will rent their own spaces, as always.