STEP is pleased to invite you to visit with us during Domotex, January 14-17, 2017 in Hannover, Germany. Managing Director Reto Aschwanden as well as Nepal Representative Bishal Rana will be available to provide an updated status on STEP initiatives and to answer any questions visitors may have about STEP and our outreach and education programs which seek to improve the lives of weavers working in Afghanistan, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan and Turkey. STEP can be found at Hall 17 Stand E57 and throughout the halls visiting with licensees.
STEP also invites you to visit with our licensees, that is, those who have committed to producing ethically and fairly traded carpets though adherence to the STEP Standard for carpet manufacture. Those exhibiting this year at DOMOTEX include:
Creative Matters (from Canada; Hall 17, E53)
Edelgrund (Germany/Iran; Hall 15, B14)
Knots Rugs (UK; Hall 17, D44)
Kirkit (Turkey/France)
Loom2Room (Switzerland; Hall 17, E57/3)
Makalu Design by Paulig Teppichweberei (Germany; Hall 4, C13)
Sahar (Switzerland/USA, Hall 17, B54)
Turquoise Mountain (UK/Afghanistan; Hall 17, E57/2)
Wool and Silk (USA; Hall 17, B54/2)
STEP is also pleased to announce three of our licenees, Edelgrund, Kirkit, and Wool and Silk have carpets as finalists in the prestigious Carpet Design Awards which recognize excellence in carpet design. For these makers this recognition of their work reinforces their commitment to make not only beautiful but also ethically and fairly made carpets.
We would further like to add that Mr. Reto Aschwanden was just named as the first ‘Brand Ambassador’ for Nepali Handmade Carpets by The Central Carpet Industries Association of Nepal (CCIAN) in December 4, 2016 and was presented this formal certificate by the Prime Minister of Nepal. Please feel free to ask Mr. Aschwanden about this, or any of STEP’s work around the world, as we believe an open dialog is the best dialog.
STEP will be exhibiting together with Turquoise Mountain and present the organization’s joint initiatives in Afghanistan.