I didn’t really experience jet lag during my travels to and from Germany to attend this year’s EuroShop, but I’ve got to say, I feel like I’m still recovering – and not just my feet. There was so much to take in that my brain is still processing all the sights, sounds and visions from my week in Germany.

First there were the booth designs – chalk drawings, animated eyewear displays, live piano performances on an illuminated stage and furniture hanging on walls, just to name a few. Your eyes often didn't know where to look first and it was great to see friends and colleagues in the aisles pointing you to the next “wow did you see this” booth.

Of course, the inventive booth designs aren’t the only source of inspiration at EuroShop. Often heralded as the place to see new products, the show is usually a good event to uncover some new stuff that might make its way to North America in a couple of years. While this year’s debuts weren’t as robust as in years' past, there was still plenty to see.

For one, the show’s new “MQ-City,” offered stunning displays of the latest mannequin designs. Lots of long and leggy gals populated the show floor joined by an infusion of colorful mannequins, particularly in the more youthful lines. Heads and wigs are back making statements, as well. As one manufacturer told me, “Now it’s a matter of putting a personality in the store.” Speaking of personality, who didn’t love the old men greeting visitors at the Hans Boodt booth? I saw more than one person getting their picture taken with this photogenic trio.

Lighting at the 2011 show was less about new product debuts and more about new uses and ways to incorporate LEDs into the retail environments. Examples included products that are coming off the ceiling and into fixtures. The result is that the lighting is closer to the merchandise, putting the emphasis where it needs to be. Several exhibitors also discussed how the quality of LED lighting has finally arrived to meet retailers’ needs, even going so far to say it can work for general illumination.

Fixturing continues to be all about flexibility with several companies showcasing modular systems for walls and floors. Woods and metal materials continue to be popular to convey a message of “authenticity,” while a new black chrome finish also attracted attention.

And that’s just the first four pages of my notes. For more highlights, check out VMSD’s May issue. You can also click here  to see our slide show from EuroShop. Got an image from the show to share? Send it to anne.dinardo@stmediagroup.com for consideration in posting on vmsd.com.