Gustav Dornbirn – trade fair for design and enjoyment

Gustav Dornbirn is a trade fair for design and enjoyment that has established itself in Vorarlberg as a platform for high-quality products, craftsmanship and culinary specialities. Manufacturers, designers, producers and a quality-conscious audience meet in Dornbirn. The profile of the event is clearly curated: instead of mass-produced goods, the focus is on carefully selected exhibitors whose work is characterised by precision craftsmanship, regional origin and creative standards. Dornbirn is home to a lively design and architecture scene. The Vorarlberg region is known for its building culture, craftsmanship and distinctive culture of enjoyment. These conditions also shape Gustav Dornbirn. It sees itself less as a classic sales fair and more as a marketplace for products with attitude and origin.

Design between craftsmanship and the present

One focus of Gustav Dornbirn is on contemporary design that is closely linked to traditional craftsmanship. Furniture, home accessories, textiles and jewellery are presented in an environment that emphasises material quality and workmanship. Many exhibitors are small businesses or manufacturers who design and produce their own products. Typical product areas include:

• Furniture and interior design
• Ceramics and glass
• Textiles and fashion accessories
• Jewellery and unique handcrafted items
• Graphic and stationery products

Culinary delights and regional products

In addition to design, culinary delights play an equally important role. Gustav Dornbirn brings together producers of regional foodstuffs and consumers. Cheese, bread, chocolate, spirits and handcrafted beverages are an integral part of the offering. The culinary focus is closely linked to regional identity. Vorarlberg and the neighbouring Lake Constance region have a strong tradition of food production. The fair offers these producers a platform to present their products in direct exchange. The areas represented include:

• Regional specialities
• Artisanal beverages
• Fine foods and delicacies
• Sustainably produced luxury foods

Curated standards and target group

Gustav Dornbirn differs from large-scale consumer fairs in its curated approach. Exhibitors are selected according to clear quality criteria. This applies to both design products and culinary offerings. The result is a focused trade fair that emphasises authenticity and craftsmanship. The target group consists of design-savvy consumers, architects, interior designers and connoisseurs of regional products. Many visitors are consciously looking for durable alternatives to industrially manufactured goods. The event offers a manageable but diverse platform for this.

Economic and cultural significance

Gustav Dornbirn is an important sales and communication channel for small businesses. Manufacturers in particular benefit from the opportunity to offer their products directly without intermediaries. At the same time, the fair serves as a networking platform within the creative and gourmet industries. Dornbirn has a well-established trade fair infrastructure that allows for flexible use of the halls. The spatial design supports a clear division between the design and gourmet areas without strictly separating them from each other. This creates a smooth transition between furniture, textiles and culinary stands.

Position in the regional trade fair calendar

Gustav Dornbirn occupies a special position within Vorarlberg. It focuses on quality rather than quantity and relies on regional roots with a supra-regional appeal. Visitors from Austria, Germany and Switzerland use the trade fair as a source of inspiration for living, design and enjoyment. Gustav Dornbirn – Trade Fair for Design and Enjoyment thus stands for a format that combines craftsmanship, aesthetics and cuisine. Dornbirn is creating a marketplace that showcases regional production and at the same time places contemporary design in an economic context.

Further information can be found on the organiser's website: gustav.messedornbirn.at