The ZOW Italy show for the furniture supplies and interior design sector has been cancelled.

ZOW founder Peter Meyer issued a statement on behalf of his exhibition company Survey Consulting saying he would not expect the event to be a success in the current economic climate.

The announcement also follows a long dispute between ZOW and a similar fair Sicam in Pordenone.

Mr Meyer said ZOW’s move last year from the “problematic” trade fair location of Pordenone to Verona was not to blame for a lower turnout at the 2009 show.

“The fact that last year’s move happened to coincide with the global financial crisis resulted in criticism on the market,” he said.

ZOW Italy managing director Romano Ugolini said the current situation in the Italian furniture market meant conditions were not good to run the show aghain this year.

“Companies that don’t want to waste their money would be advised not to attend trade fairs this year in Italy,” he said. “Instead, it makes sense to invest in growing foreign markets.”

ZOW Italy will make a comeback in 2011.

The dispute with rival Sicam on the grounds of copyright infringements is set to continue at the courts in Trieste.