Our first trade fair – HOGA 2025 Nuremberg

The HOGA 2025 in Nuremberg was a very special premiere for us at Frankustika - our first trade fair! The excitement was huge, the preparations were intensive, and in the end we not only had great conversations, but also learned an incredible amount. For three days we got to know restaurateurs and hoteliers from Nuremberg, Fürth, Erlangen, Würzburg, Schweinfurt, Coburg and many other cities, heard their challenges and presented solutions.

Photo: Tim & Alfred at the HOGA 2025 trade fair stand in Nuremberg

 

The days before the trade fair were, as expected, chaotic and full of last-minute decisions. Weeks of planning, absorbers manufactured, printed, our concept optimized - and then three hours before the end of the setup, the decision: we need new chairs and a table for our stand! So we quickly got four completely different chairs and a table - functional but colorfully thrown together and brought them to the stand just before the end of the last day of setup. In the end, it was one of the best coincidences, because some visitors actually thought we were selling chairs and praised us for our great wall decorations! That led to a lot of laughter on both sides and showed us directly: trade fairs are not just business, they are also fun!

Day 1: The start into a new world

We started the first day with a mixture of nervousness and enthusiasm. Will the visitors be interested? How will our acoustic solution be received? After the first discussions it was already clear: yes, and how!

The challenges in restaurants and hotels are enormous. Guests complain about high noise levels, especially in stylish restaurants with open spaces, high ceilings or large windows. In historic buildings with vaulted cellars, stucco ceilings or wooden chandeliers, the acoustics are often catastrophic - and yet these architectural highlights must not be covered up. The operators are looking for solutions that blend in visually and do not require major structural measures.

Many were surprised at how specifically our acoustic absorbers can solve such problems – and that at the same time they can be individually printed, adapted to types of wood such as oak, beech or walnut and can even be installed under tables to save space.

Day 2: Expert discussions, new partnerships and inspiring contacts

The second day brought many exciting discussions with hoteliers, architects and interior designers. Hotel operators in particular were looking for solutions to efficiently retrofit rooms without making major changes to the existing building structure.

We quickly realized that it was not just about reducing noise, but about the guest experience. This is exactly what sets a well-thought-out restaurant or hotel apart from the competition: guests who feel comfortable stay longer, give better reviews and come back. Especially in upscale restaurants or hotels with long family traditions that are housed in old buildings, it is important that modern solutions blend invisibly into the ambience.

There was a lot of interest in our individually printable acoustic solutions, which combine design and functionality. Some operators wanted to discuss specific projects with us straight away - a great feeling that showed us that we were in exactly the right place!

Day 3: A successful conclusion – and a wistful farewell

The third day was a nice end to our first trade fair. Many visitors came to our stand again specifically to get advice or to deepen contacts. The variety of restaurants and hotels was impressive:

• Family-run traditional businesses that have existed for generations and want to offer their guests the perfect ambience

• Boutique hotels housed in listed buildings that require special solutions

• Modern restaurants with large window fronts and open space concepts that bring acoustic challenges

• Fine dining restaurants where every detail counts – including the acoustics

When the exhibition stand was dismantled in the evening, it was almost a little sad. The exhibition was so intense, exciting and informative that we didn't want it to be over. But the best thing is: it continues straight away!

Our HOGA tour begins – room acoustics for restaurants and hotels throughout Franconia, Bavaria and beyond

 

Thanks to the numerous contacts we made at the HOGA, we received many invitations to visit restaurants, hotels and cafés on site and develop individual solutions.

Our tour will take us through the most beautiful cities in Franconia: Nuremberg, Fürth, Erlangen, Würzburg, Schweinfurt, Coburg, Forchheim, Bamberg and many more. But Munich, Freising, Landshut and other Bavarian cities are also on our list - a great opportunity for Franconians to get to know Bavaria even better! 😉 Even Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Dresden are on our tour plan.

We are really looking forward to advising each company individually and offering acoustic solutions that fit perfectly into the existing design.

Photo: Frankustika on acoustic tour

 

The biggest acoustic challenges for restaurants and hotels – and our solutions

The HOGA has shown us that there are some typical problems that arise again and again in the catering and hotel industry. Here are the biggest challenges - and how we solve them:

• Winter gardens with glass fronts – glass reflects sound, making the room unpleasantly loud. Our solution: acoustic absorbers that blend in perfectly with the interior, or space-saving absorbers under tables.

• Wooden ceilings and stucco ceilings – they cannot be changed or covered up, but they often amplify the sound. Our solution: individually adapted absorbers that match the existing wood in terms of color and material (oak, beech, walnut).

• Cellar vaults in restaurants - Historical rooms have a very special atmosphere, but often have extreme acoustic reverberation problems. Our solution: custom-made absorbers that integrate unobtrusively into the ambience.

• Hotels that want to upgrade quickly and efficiently – Many hoteliers want to create better acoustics without complex construction work. Our solution: easily mounted absorbers and individually printable acoustic images.

• Guest experience as a competitive advantage – restaurants and hotels with good acoustics are rated better, guests feel more comfortable and stay longer. Our solution: a well-thought-out acoustic concept that is visually impressive and functional.

 

Our conclusion of the HOGA 2025 – and anticipation of the HOGA 2027

The HOGA was a complete success - not only for us, but also for the many restaurateurs and hoteliers who recognized how important good room acoustics are. We took home exciting projects, made new contacts and had countless inspiring conversations.

And the best part: We are already looking forward to HOGA 2027!

If you also have a restaurant, café or hotel that needs acoustic optimization – contact us! Maybe our tour will directly lead to you.

 

But we are already looking forward to akustika - the music fair for music in Nuremberg. The international meeting place for musicians, instrument makers and everyone who loves music. Visit us at our stand from April 4th to 6th, 2025.

Frankustika – room acoustics from Franconia.