Lucky me! I’ve been graced with this year’s trip to ISH Frankfurt. I’ve been a plumbing journalist for 10 years, but this is my first trip abroad to see what my colleagues have been talking about. I will do my best to paint you a picture of the show, as well as impart the knowledge I’ve gained about where the markets could be heading and what’s on its way across the ocean. I think you’ll be eager for these products ― I’m seeing so many different and new things! So fasten your seatbelt and join me on the journey.

First Impressions

Enlarge this picture Germany is ready for Blue Responsibility. Are you?

They’ve told me it’s big. I didn’t think they’d lie, but Wow! This is how a biennial event should be. World economy in the toilet? It sure is! And the toilet’s at the show! Traffic is heavy and people walk with a purpose.

First things first: No, I don’t speak a lick of German. I’m a natural busy-body, so not being able to overhear people’s conversations about business and money and market strategies is really bugging me. But from what I can tell, like the U.S., not many are focusing on new construction anymore. They’re in the thick of retrofit/remodel ― and upgrades is the key.

Here in the U.S., mandates are coming down left and right in terms of conservation and efficiency. Don’t know what other countries are legislating, but European plumbing manufacturers are beginning to accept responsibility … Blue Responsibility, that is.

This new initiative, “Blue Responsibility,” is lead by 26 German manufacturers who are drawing attention to their opinion for “the urgent need for action” for intelligent and careful handling of water. While there’s no shortage of water in the country, Germans understand that there are sometimes problems with securing trouble-free drinking water quality. They’re urging effective supply strategies, unified distribution, and a commitment to ecological production balances.

All over the show, attendees see signage and hand-outs with “Do You Know…” language on them. These are digestible tidbits of data on water resources, and what the Blue Responsibility message is all about. I grabbed a few, but I have to admit, I had to stop ― I need to travel light if I’m going to see a good portion of the show!

Pop Up The Bathroom

These 10 Trends will shape the plumbing fixtures market.

In the Messe Frankfurt-sponsored press hall, I picked up a 2009 Trends Dossier: Pop Up The Bathroom. This booklet was filled with interviews of plumbing designers, and stated the 10 most important trends in the bathroom. I’ll list them below. Let’s see if you Americans agree …

• Soft Bathroom
• Green Bathroom
• Fashion Bathroom
• Easy Bathroom
• Design for a Better Bath
• Private Spa
• Water Love
• Homing
• Techness
• Interior Concepts

Now that’s a list! I’m sure you’ll notice a good portion is already here. But I am eager to see where the United States will take the “soft” bath (“In a room where people spend much of the time naked, they should encounter as few hard edges and corners as possible”) and the “fashion” bath (“The bathroom is becoming just as much an indication of its user’s personal tastes as the kitchen or living room”).

I saw plenty of products on the show floor illustrating “water love”. Manufacturers are doing creative things with the flow of water. The dossier says people are experiencing water “emotionally,” and it comes in the form of soaking, showering, hand-washing, and even toilet flushing.

Americans have been “homing” (or nesting) for a few years already. You all know the new buzzword “staycation” (where you don’t physically travel anywhere ― you just stay home and enjoy some me time). A properly designed bathroom can create the ultimate getaway. “An economic crisis and a general sense of uncertainty are encouraging people to seek security in their own four walls.”

And let’s hear it for technology! From integrated TVs, speakers, digitally controlled valves, lighting and more, “innovations at ISH 2009 trigger consumer needs for the sex appeal of electronic fittings, and permit touch-free operation or convenient push-button control of showers and other features.” Embrace it, people. It’s here, and it’s fun!

End Of Day One

With the travel and time change (plus throw daylight savings onto it!) I didn’t spend much time at ISH on Tuesday. But I forged a plan-of-attack for my next few days. I hope you don’t mind: I will separate the blogs the way ISH separates its halls ― some for plumbing and fixtures, others for heating and power.

Day Two will be filled with my own photos and comments on bathing fixtures (Halls 1-4). Day Three will focus on heating and more (Halls 6-10). “What? No Hall 5 you say?” Yes, sorry, that one’s filled with Forced Air, guys. These feet shan’t tread those carpets and bore you with a recap.

Come back tomorrow after I’ve had some rest, and get ready to experience ISH with me. Or, if you can't wait til then, take a look at the slideshow below of some ISH product highlights.

Traveler’s Notes:
What Katie Should’ve Brought To Germany

A computer mouse. Typing up these blogs and uploading my myriad photos on my laptop is hard to do with just my fingertips.

A lighter suitcase. I know I’m in trouble when I’ve already filled a showfloor bag with goodies on the first day.

More money. The exchange rate is dismal, in my opinion. Poor U.S. dollar!

A watch. I know, I know. Who travels without a watch, right? I thought I could get away with using my cell phone as I normally do, but all it currently says is “Searching For Signal” and no time. Live and learn.

A friend. “Everyone speaks English,” they told me. Sure ― if you initiate it! German is still the language of the land, and my conversation-starved self is starting to get lonely.