From 20 to 24 March 2024, Messe Dortmund will once again transform into a world of products, trends and inspiration for the creative community as CREATIVA 2024 opens to the public. Sustainability is writ large this year, and part of Hall 6 is being transformed into 'SUSTAINABLE CITY'. Overall, visitors can expect more exhibitors and workshops than last year plus exciting programme items and entertainment. Tickets for the creative event of the year are available at messe-creativa.de/en-gb/ticketshop.

Dortmund, 14 March 2024 – Plotter work, machine embroidery, airbrushing, handicrafts, sewing, painting and drawing (to name but a few examples) – exhibitors and influencers in the industry are looking forward to meeting and engaging with visitors and are currently in the midst of final preparations. A host of programme highlights have already been confirmed:

New ideas for sustainability in the here and now at SUSTAINABLE CITY (new in Hall 6)

Our new feature, SUSTAINABLE CITY in Hall 6, will be a central meeting point for creative minds on the subject of sustainable design. In addition to exhibitors such as sevengardens (international dyeing network), infinity stonepaper (lime paper) and Hempa (paper made from hemp), there will be a podium with keynote talks and a workshop area. One highlight is the 'Eco-Print Scrunchies' workshop by dyer Jessica, focusing on the use of vegetable dyes.

CREATIVA Stage: a meeting place for diversity and creativity
Creativity knows no bounds, and the same goes for the supporting programme on the CREATIVA Stage in Hall 4 where experts will be offering visitors a veritable treasure trove of creative inspiration to be experienced up-close. A special star guest on Saturday 23 March will be entertainer, content creator and podcaster Carlo Sommer (a.k.a. 'casacarlo') who will be meeting up with plotter girl 'Plottertante'. There will be fashion shows, the CREATIVA quiz, sewing workshops and talks on plotting and creativity using AI.

A variety of singers will be providing musical entertainment this year. Vincent Gross will be performing on Friday 22 March starting at 13:00 hrs, and on Saturday Andrea Berg lookalike Angela Prescher will be singing for visitors on the CREATIVA Stage from 12:30 hrs. Olaf Henning will conclude the musical programme on the CREATIVA Stage on Sunday at 12:30 hrs.

The Barbie doll turned 65 this year. If you want to discover more about this young-at-heart figure, you'll be able to meet Bettina Dorfmann at her stand next to the CREATIVA Stage. She owns 18,500 Barbie dolls, making her the world record holder in the Guinness Book of Records. Visitors will be able to have their Barbie dolls and accessories valued by her and admire some of her exhibits. Bettina Dorfmann will also be appearing on the CREATIVA Stage where she will meet with Julian F.M. Stoeckel and his friend Marcell Damaschke on Sunday 24 March. Details of the entire CREATIVA Stage programme is available at messe-creativa.de/en-gb/creativa-stage.

Inspiration and ideas for your own projects on trending topics

The Trends & Inspirations special exhibition feature will await visitors in Hall 7, presenting the 7 creative trends 'Less Waste', 'Everyday Magic', 'Joyful Mix', 'Nostalgic Memories', 'Botanicals World', 'Relaxed Moments' and 'Last Minute'. Once again, all CREATIVA fans can look forward to the Trend Report. Following its successful début last year, the report will once again summarise these seven trends for 2024.

Machine embroidery and plotting still very much in vogue

Following the extraordinary response last time, visitors will be able to visit the 400 sqm embroidery-focused 'stickstoff Lounge' again in Hall 4 where numerous well-known artists will be giving interesting talks on the 'stickstoff Stage'. One special highlight on the first day of the show will be the interview with Tim Töpfer (Schmetz) and high-reach influencer/designer 'ThisisKachi' on Wednesday 20 March.

There will be a unique exhibition of machine-embroidered works by Ercigoj from Ljubljana (Slovenia) on show in the 'stickstoff Lounge'. Other well-known brands and partners of the Lounge who will be at the venue to share ideas and provide advice include SCHMETZ, the manufacturer of household and industrial sewing machine needles, and GUNOLD GmbH.

Cutting Academy by Plottertante & Friends

Plotting is another trending topic that was given its own speciality zone at CREATIVA last year. Well-known brand ambassador Plottertante (Miriam Jug) is looking forward to introducing visitors to the entire span of what plotting can do. The influencer will be giving lectures, workshops and talks on plotting in Hall 7 together with other experts and friends at the Cutting Academy by Plottertante & Friends.

All well-known manufacturers in the plotter scene – from equipment to accessories – such as Cricut, Polytape Klebefolien (adhesive film), siser, hobbyplotter.de, kreativplotter, Silhouette, Brother ScanNCut, xTool Laser, plottiX, Epson and Mr Beam Lasers will be represented in Hall 7.

Other highlights of the show

Visitors will also be able to discover finished bespoke designer pieces and gift ideas at CREATIVA NEO in Hall 4, a buyer-meets-seller marketplace for fresh design, special and unconventional creations away from the mainstream. Details of all exhibitors at CREATIVA NEO and more information on products they offer can be found at www.creativa-neo.de.

In addition, those with a penchant for individual pieces of jewellery and pearl accessories shouldn't miss out on the Design Village at the CREATIVA PerlenExpo pearl exhibition in Hall 5. Hall 5 will also be focusing squarely on culinary delights and gardening. Also, the Kunst & Kreativ handicraft circus in Hall 6 is set to prove a major attraction once again with superb on-trend workshops by (and with) manufacturers such as efco, POSCA, edding, Fiskars, KREUL, HobbyFun and STAEDTLER. Myboshi – known for its home-made caps – will also be back at CREATIVA. The entire handicraft circus programme and the names of all involved can be found at messe-creativa.de/en-gb/bastelzirkus.

A host of exhibitors have already secured their stands at CREATIVA 2024. These include VBS Hobby, Bastelzirkus and Klötzchenmann. There will be a demonstration of the creative use of blocks in Hall 7. Workshops can also be booked in the newly created DIY Lounge by Klötzchenmann & Friends. Visitors should not miss out on the parallel CAKE & BAKE international cake show being held in Hall 3 on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 March.

Tickets are available at the venue box office and online at messe-creativa.de/ticketshop.

Regular updates on the up-coming CREATIVA show can be found on the show's Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest channels, on the show's website and via newsletter.