Interview
irtual events will never be
V Vas popular as face-to-face for luxury design because visitors need to be able to touch and feel products says Decorex event director Sam Fisher . The four-day luxury design show returned to Olympia London from 10 - 13 October , complemented by a virtual event , Decorex Virtual , featuring all the exhibitors from the live show across three days from 16 - 18 November .
“ Virtual is not ideal for high-end interiors ,” says Fisher . “ In person events are the way forward .” “ Last year , virtual was a necessity . Virtual events can be a great way to engage the community , but you are much more limited in what you can do with interiors . “ We really need that luxury feel to our events .” A key player in the design and events industry for more than 16 years , Fisher ’ s strong relationships with exhibitors and designers help her to create the though-provoking content of the show . Uniting the interior design community for 43 years , Decorex returned with a portfolio of the best names in luxury design and interiors .
Established in 1978 , Decorex is firmly recognised among the international design community as a trusted resource for highend interior designers ,
Design community returns to the lap of luxury
Decorex event director Sam Fisher talks to Emily Wallin about how being able to touch and feel products is essential in the luxury interiors market
architects , specifiers , retailers and property developers . Annually it boasts more than 400 exhibitors from leading names to emerging talents and attracting 15,000 visitors from across the globe through both in-person and virtual editions of the event . Whilst acknowledging the need for in-person events Fisher says some digital elements will become a permanent fixture in future .
Sam Fisher
“ Going forward we are working towards some form of digital element , but we want to see what the options are ,” she says . “ I think everyone is going to need some virtual elements – but it ’ s clear that no one wants to be fully digital if it can be avoided .” Following a successful four year run at Syon Park , Decorex moved to Olympia in 2019 , and in their second year at the venue they are still delighted with the 130-yearold setting . “ Olympia has been amazing ,” says Fisher . “ It is only the second time
28 — Winter