The high point in the ZOW exhibition calendar, the German edition of the show, will get underway in Bad Salzuflen on February 9-12.

New features this year include a focus on “universal design”, Mediapoint and radio frequency identification.

Mediapoint is intended to address how interior designers and furniture producers can manufacture designs to suit the increased use and diversity of home entertainment systems and multimedia access.

“Why should industry continue to supply furniture that takes the old cathode ray tube TV sets which are long gone from the market, and why do customers still have to drill a hole the size of your fist into load-bearing elements to feed through the cabling,” ZOW said.

The widespread use of flat screen televisions, surround sound systems and the moving of wireless computers into the living room and media systems into the kitchen and bathroom will be addressed by Mediapoint.

Meanwhile, the recent ZOW exhibition in Moscow attracted 12,800 visitors – a 25% growth on 2007 – and 160 exhibitors.