Editorial team: Since 2008, the CONTACT B2B contact exchange has also been held regularly as part of denkmal - why is this format so important to the chambers of crafts and trades as organisers?

Antje Barthauer: We organise the cooperation exchange every two years and explicitly address all our craftsmen in the field of monument preservation with this offer. It is particularly difficult for these businesses to present themselves and make contacts because they are often smaller companies. With CONTACT at denkmal, we offer them a platform to meet with business and co-operation partners and, of course, to gain more media presence. denkmal takes place here in Leipzig and, as the leading European trade fair, attracts the world to the city. For us as Handwerkskammer zu Leipzig, this is a great opportunity to show our companies that they don't have to travel far to make valuable contacts abroad - it can happen right here on their doorstep.

Editorial team: What should participating companies bring with them or bear in mind?

Antje Barthauer: Not much really, you just have to register on the event page, which is quick and easy. Then the companies create a small profile, as informative, short and compact as possible. They then present their services in the virtual marketplace, in the field of monument preservation or describe their product or a machine that they would like to sell. If required, we can take care of the translation into a foreign language. We also advertise the contact exchange and thus the companies' offers throughout Europe.

Editorial team: What format will the cooperation exchange take?

Antje Barthauer: CONTACT will also take place as a hybrid event this year. In the past, the contact exchange was actually only possible on site in person, but in the course of Corona we have also started to offer online meetings. This means that all participants can have uncomplicated conversations on the computer - even with an interpreter if necessary. This allows our Saxon tradespeople to directly reach foreign companies that are interested but cannot come to Leipzig. This is yet another added value compared to previous years, as it allows us to reach more foreign partners and companies.

Editorial team: You have already mentioned the topic of internationality - what about international participation in 2024?

Antje Barthauer: We are once again focusing on France and assume that a French delegation will be on site. Italy is also actively involved again, and the first participants have already registered. We are also expecting Czech and Polish participants due to the regional proximity in Leipzig. We will also be surprised to see who else will be taking part.

Editorial team: You have been involved with CONTACT since the very beginning and have experienced a lot in the more than 15 years - is there a moment that has stuck in your mind in particular?

Antje Barthauer: I'm thinking in particular of the last cooperation exchange 2022, where we also had a French delegation on site and the participants were very interested in the exhibitors and the joint stands. Among other things, they held talks with a metal spinning company here and we then invited each other directly. Such a contact would otherwise not have been possible in such an uncomplicated way. It was similar with a lighting manufacturer who is active in restoration and has made contact with a small workshop from France. These two would otherwise not have found each other without the contact exchange. This shows how uncomplicated it can be for small companies to make really special contacts.

Editorial team: Why is it worth using CONTACT as a platform at denkmal again this year and what are you particularly looking forward to at the trade fair this year?

Antje Barthauer: You should definitely try out the format, because you have nothing to lose! The participants are already visible on the platform before denkmal and can remain in dialogue after the trade fair. So there is a long media presence here and without a great deal of effort. All you need to do is register once. As chambers and partners of the trade fair, we are happy to support companies in this endeavour and won't leave them on their own. Registration is possible until 25 October - the sooner the better, then you will be visible for longer.

I am particularly looking forward to the many delegations at denkmal. They are always very enriching encounters. In other countries, craftsmanship is practised in a completely different way and is often valued differently.