Providing a taste of home and a networking opportunity for North Americans was this reception sponsored by A.R.E., DDI, and Messe Dusseldorf North America. The reception attracted a standing-room-only crowd of about 200 to the fairgrounds’ International Lounge. It gave A.R.E. members a chance to chat with retailers and fellow members in an informal setting.

“It’s a wonderful networking event, but beyond that, it’s just fun to meet all the industry friends—both familiar faces and new acquaintances—in a unique and distant location,” said Glenn Craft, vice president, sales and marketing, Stylmark Inc., Minneapolis.

Photos by Rene Tillmann, Messe Duesseldorf