European is the key word for Flanders Flooring Days. While the Flanders region has a high concentration of flooring manufacturers – the inspiration behind its showroom beginnings – it has grown to be a pan-European show.
The event has grown to become a key meeting place for the flooring sector: the 2025 edition saw visitors from 78 countries, recording a 57% increase in total visitor numbers compared to 2024 and the number of exhibitors grew by 17%, with more than 100 European brands taking part.
‘We are all about quality over quantity. Businesses can only participate if they are able to demonstrate clear added value in Europe in terms of R&D and design. This applies not only to European manufacturers, but also to importers and distributors of European brands. This allows us to guarantee a solid, dependable range of hard and soft flooring, textile floor coverings, as well as related products and services. By taking quality as our benchmark, we are ensuring that we do not become one of those mega trade shows with endless floorspace. Rather, we are offering a focused, efficient and niche trade fair experience. Visitors know that, at FFD, they will only find leading European products: and that is something they appreciate,’ says Cindy Collez, sales manager at Xpo Group, the organiser behind the event, pictured with Thalissa Deboeverie and Sofie Maertens, Xpo Group account managers.
‘At Xpo Group, we put on more than 40 trade fairs both domestically and abroad, in sectors such as architecture, construction, food and manufacturing. Our mission is to create meaningful connections: connecting people, businesses and communities the best way possible. And with Flanders Flooring Days, that is exactly what we are putting into practice. A viable, high-end event that brings together players from the European flooring sector to do business with one another,’ says Deboeverie.
‘Visitors can request appointments ahead of time with the participants of their choice. As a result, participants receive on average 75 quality leads before the trade fair has even begun. This makes for both peace of mind and efficient scheduling, which is a win-win for everyone. More time for in-depth discussions, leading to effective business outcomes. This is a very different kind of return compared to large, traditional trade fairs,’ says Maertens.
Pre-Covid, flooring manufacturers looked to outdo their rivals with even larger – and expensive – exhibition stands (with restaurant standard catering and post-show events). At the Kortrijk Xpo venue, this doesn’t happen: exhibitors are offered a choice of four stand sizes, from 30sqm to 150sqm.
‘This helps us to avoid businesses competing against each other when it comes to stand size, as is the case at other trade fairs. With us, everyone is afforded the same opportunities. The limited space further encourages participants to only showcase their most recent innovations. Visitors can therefore be sure that, at FFD, they will always get to see the latest offerings from every brand present,’ says Collez.
‘We started with an idea to invite visitors right to the source of the sector, to the showrooms and production departments of Flemish manufacturers. Today, FFD has grown into a fully-fledged European platform, boasting both open showrooms and a trade fair floor at Kortrijk Xpo, where new brands get the opportunity to showcase themselves. Its continued growth lies primarily there, on the trade fair floor, giving the floor to some of the most innovative European brands. After four successful editions, it is evident that Flanders Flooring Days remains a viable, efficient and ever-growing event.’
FFD 2026 takes place from 18-21 May.
