For the first time in its history, ORGATEC has an overarching theme

ORGATEC, the biannual international trade fair for the workplace sector, has announced the first central theme in the event’s history as it prepares for its 2026 edition. Under the title From rooms to relationships: designing spaces in an ever-changing world, the fair will shift its focus towards the role of human experience in the design of work and contract environments. The event, which takes place in Cologne from 27 to 30 October 2026, aims to highlight how functional settings can evolve into places that support connection, collaboration and a sense of belonging.

Organisers say the new theme reflects the scale and pace of social, technological and environmental change affecting the way workplaces and public spaces are conceived. Digitalisation, hybrid working, sustainability and rising expectations around teamwork are prompting a move towards more adaptable interiors capable of responding to fast-moving demands.

According to Maik Fischer, Director of ORGATEC, the theme signals a widening of the industry’s scope. He said future spaces will need to do more than accommodate tasks, becoming places where people meet and where design, technology and human experience come together. He described the fair as a platform for the sector to exchange knowledge and develop new approaches to workplace and contract design.

The theme draws on two global trends that organisers expect to shape the market in the coming years. The first is a renewed focus on human-to-human experience, driven by the need for meaningful interaction in increasingly digital settings. The second is the growing importance of transition, recognising that change is now a constant feature of organisational life. Companies are being encouraged to adopt long-term strategies while remaining able to adjust to new expectations, supported by interiors that are durable, flexible and resource-efficient.

The organisers say the theme is intended to give both exhibitors and visitors a clearer framework in a period of uncertainty. Exhibitors will be able to position their products and services as responses to broader shifts in the world of work, while visitors will be offered insight into ideas and tools that may help them navigate change within their own organisations or projects.

Cologne will again host the event, reaffirming its role as an important centre for the furniture and interiors sector. Organisers expect the 2026 edition to act as a meeting point for designers, manufacturers and decision-makers exploring the future of work and contract spaces.

Registration for exhibitors is now open at www.orgatec.com