One of the most influential trade fair events for the tabletop industry opens today. Ambiente’s global relevance is unsurpassed, which is why from 6th to 10th February, Frankfurt is “the” only place to be…
“My hope is that Ambiente 2026 gives the industry confidence and momentum,” Thomas Kastl, Ambiente’s director of dining tells Tableware International ahead of the industry’s premiere showcase.
Frankfurt plays host, once again, to the tabletop sector’s largest international trade gathering from Friday 6 to Tuesday 10 February. Ambiente 2026 is a large scale event like no other bringing representatives from most – if not all – of the industry together. “I want visitors to leave Frankfurt inspired, well-connected and optimistic,” Thomas says. “If retailers discover products that excite them, if manufacturers find the right partners, and if meaningful conversations happen across cultures and markets, then Ambiente has fulfilled its role. At its core, it’s about bringing people together around the table – and creating a shared vision for the future of dining.”
Thomas continues: “Ambiente brings clarity in a complex market. For the tableware sector, it is the one moment in the year where the entire value chain meets face to face. Retailers can compare materials, finishes and concepts directly, spot trends early and talk to manufacturers about real-world challenges. Beyond products, Ambiente is about orientation: understanding where dining culture is heading, how consumer expectations are changing and how design, function and storytelling come together at
the table.”
The majority of the big brand names are there; Rak Porcelain, Villeroy & Boch, Rosenthal, Steelite, Sambonet, Vista Alegre, Costa Nova, Zwiesel Fortessa, the list goes on – all seeing the innate value Ambiente offers.
Ambiente, of course, is part of the larger International Consumer Goods Fair, held on site at Messe Frankfurt, bringing together exhibitors from Christmasworld, and Creativeworld, so the event is truly a global gathering. Ambiente itself offers three distinct sections – Living, Giving and Dining – meeting the needs of retailers as well as commercial end users. Ambiente fuses together a large cauldron of energy and excitement, culminating ultimately, in business connections.
“What excites me most is the energy that emerges when products, people and ideas come together in a very tangible way,” Thomas says. “Ambiente 2026 will once again be a place where you don’t just see trends – you experience them. The Dining halls, the kitchen show with its live moments, and the material-focused presentations turn the fair into a real stage. It’s about touching materials, understanding surfaces, feeling weight and quality. Whether that’s finely crafted glass from Nachtmann and Spiegelau, expressive porcelain from Villeroy & Boch, Denby or Portmeirion Group, or innovative hospitality solutions from RAK Porcelain Europe. That physical, sensory experience that trade shows like Ambiente offer is something our industry truly needs right now – and Ambiente delivers exactly that.”
To read the full preview in Tableware International CLICK HERE
The issue also includes in depth interviews with Liliana Padinha – Costa Nova, Claudia Knaupp – Villeroy & Boch, Erbil Aşkan – Bonna, Francisco Braga – Mesa Ceramics, Marina Selcik – BHS Tabletop, Paul deBretton Gordon – Robert Welch and Ana Luisa Roque – Porcel.
The Tableware International team will see you at Ambiente! Tableware International’s Awards of Excellence 2026 will be held at Ambiente on Sunday 8 February from 5.45pm in the Hospitality Academy, Hall 11.0, North Foyer and we would love to see you all there.
To sign up to a regular copy of Tableware International visit our stand in Hall 11.0 Booth FOYS2 or CLICK HERE
