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Moving Forward In New Designs and Technology

Malaysian Internatational Furniture Fair
Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre & MATRADE Exhibition and Convention Centre
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
March 2 – 6, 2010

By November 2009, more than 500 exhibitors from Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the US, UK, Taiwan, have signed up to showcase their products at the fair. Organisers expect to receive 20,000 visitors.

In the recent years, MIFF has begun to move its focus towards a design-orientated show, and it is no different in MIFF 2010, organisers say. The exhibitors are moving ahead in the design frontier by showcasing fresh, innovative designs and by the usage of a variety of new materials.

One of the strong points of MIFF is in the office furniture category, where there is a significant growth in creating products that incorporate high-tech elements into their designs. At MIFF 2010, visitors can expect to see more manufacturers who integrate technology into their designs to create products that offer maximum functionality to suit the fast-paced business world.

Besides that, exhibitors are also showing increasing development in the materials used in furniture products, according to organisers. Many companies have shifted from using common materials like rubber wood to an assortment of materials like beech, oak and pine as well as palm oil fibre to make furniture. Moreover, there is an increase in eco-friendly materials like the recyclable wood-plastic components (WPC) made out of wood waste, rice husk, kenan fibre and sawdust; as well as ecological water-based coating and finishing which is of the same quality as solvent-based coatings.

For the convenience of all participants, all three venues will be segregated according to product category. PWTC will house office and home furniture and furniture fittings, while KLCC will accommodate the sofa and upholstery category. Both PWTC and KLCC will continue to provide for the export market; there will be a new segment called ID Trends in MECC, showcasing interior design concepts and home improvement products catered to domestic consumers.

Leading Trendsetter Status Reaffirmed

Internatational Furniture Fair Singapore / ASEAN Furniture Show
Singapore Expo
Singapore
March 9 – 12, 2010

The International Furniture Fair Singapore 2010/27th ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS 2010) is running chock-a-block with a total of 40,000 nett sq m of exhibition space – a testament to the fair’s reputation in the global furniture trade scene. Featuring a strong line-up of first-time exhibitors and loyal supporters from Singapore and beyond, IFFS/AFS 2010 will see design having a stronger prominence and a wide collection of cutting-edge furniture creations on display.

Said Richard Koh, Chief Operating Officer of IFFS Pte Ltd, organiser of the IFFS: “We are very excited as we move into our final stages of preparation for IFFS/AFS 2010 and we are very pleased with the stellar selection of exhibitors at the fair. IFFS/AFS has always been known for its distinctive focus on furniture design. Working in tandem with the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC), IFFS/AFS has, over the years, successfully implemented elements like PLATFORM and the Furniture Design Award showcase. This year, we are taking design to the next level by introducing an overarching tag ‘D’Space’ (which stands for Designer Space) for all our design initiatives at the fair as we feel design is the way forward for growth of the industry and will be actively promoting this.”

Under the D’Space umbrella is a new and expanded design exhibition area in Hall 3 where buying delegates can EXHIBITIONNEWSview innovative and creative designs at PLATFORM and at Design & Objects, an association from Thailand featuring their local design talents, participating for the first time. The group, which counts more than 70 companies as members, has built a solid reputation for fresh designs and quality products in both the local and international markets since its inception in 1999. Joining them to a showdown of cutting-edge pieces is a collective of international designers including the renowned John Kelly Furniture and Sable Island, all launching their collections for the first time in D’Space.

IFFS/AFS 2010 has so far registered an increase in participation from 10 countries, with companies from Australia, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Thailand, the Philippines and US signing up for larger exhibition space. Of the total number of exhibitors, 20 percent are making their debut at IFFS/AFS 2010.

Buyers can expect to source from a wide assortment of furniture and furnishing products offered by several first-time exhibitors from Asia and the world over. Singapore Mozaic ambassador Lorenzo International Limited has also showed its support for IFFS/AFS by returning to the fair after a five-year hiatus.

Amongst the 80 percent who are making a return to IFFS/AFS 2010 are the industry’s big players and stalwart supporters, Kenas Pacific Pte Ltd and Halo. Both hailing from Hong Kong, they are also the fair’s two biggest exhibitors with booths measuring 900 nett sq m and 700 nett sq m respectively.

The show also counts Koda Ltd from Singapore as one of its major exhibitors. Koda’s booth measures nett sq m nett. Zhejiang Kuka Technics Sofa Manufacture Co Ltd from China and Violino Limited from Hong Kong follow with 600 sq m nett each.

IFFS/AFS 2010 has even attracted participation from Sia Ošukalns, a first-time exhibitor specialising in soft furnishings hailing all the way from Latvia, as well as new entrant CL Home from Greece, whose forte is in wooden furniture. The addition of these two companies further enhances the country representation at IFFS/AFS 2010, making it the fair in Asia with the highest number of participating countries, the organiser said in a statement.

Attractive Buyer Programmes

International Furniture & Craft Fair Indonesia
Jakarta International Expo Kemayoran
Jakarta, Indonesia
March 11 – 14, 2010

International Furniture & Craft Fair Indonesia (IFFINA) 2010 will showcase a wide range of furniture from more than 350 exhibitors from all around the country.

Buyers preparing to visit the show can enjoy free admission, provided they register themselves for it online. Organisers have also arranged for special hotel rates which are inclusive of daily transfers to and fro the fairground.

Buyers’ lounges are located in each hall but those who pre-register get access to the Special Gold Lounge, where they can enjoy services such as wine and beverages, massage and Internet access.
All buyers are invited to the Buyers’ Night gala dinner, which will offer entertainment, great cuisines, free flow of wine and drinks and Indonesian hospitality.

Building On 2009’s Success

Vietnam International Furniture & Home Accessories Fair
Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
March 11 – 14, 2010

This year, the show will display furniture and also machinery, tools and equipment for the wood processing industry.
Participating in VIFA 2010, exhibitors will have the opportunity to extend their business ties to thousands of new clients.

Commenting on the event last year, Huynh Van Hanh, Vice President of HAWA stated: “At this VIFA 2009, besides customers from traditional markets, there are many customers from quite new markets such as Russia, Czech, Algeria, South Africa, Canada, Mexico, Middle East, etc. VIFA 2009 helps export and finds new markets is the success of Vietnam’s wood industry in this recession”.

Helmut Merkel, Editor-in-chief of MoebelMarkt said: “Before coming to VIFA 2009, I thought the fair was small and did not have many new and good designs but when I come here, it is completely different. VIFA 2009 is really a professional fair in its way of layout, the exhibits are diversified with many beautiful types and forms. I am very impressed by your fair and all exhibitors. I think that the fair meets the needs of all visitors”.

One New Hall Added

International Famous Furniture Fair (Dongguan)
Guangdong Modern International Exhibition Center
Houjie, China
March 16 – 20, 2010

Organisers of the 23rd International Famous Furniture Fair (Dongguan) have decided to open another temporary building (Hall 10) to house a potential increase in exhibitor numbers. The additional 20,000 sq m show space will bring gross floor space to 260,000 sq m.

Commonly known as 3F, the fair will be held concurrently with the International Famous Furniture Woodworking and Machinery and Materials Fair and Dongguan Home Accents Fair. The combination of the three trade shows will offer sourcing choices in bedroom furniture, living room furniture, upholstery, wall decor, decorative accessories, lightings, textile as well as woodworking machinery and materials.

Fang Hui, Secretary General of Dongguan Famous Furniture Association, the organiser of 3F said: "The responses from Chinese manufacturers are very positive, we are still receiving applications for space."

Cathay Pacific Airways is now the official carrier of 3F and will provide discounted airfares to registered visitors to 3F.

Focused On Southeast Asia And Design

Shenzhen International Furniture Exhibition
Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Centre
Shenzhen, China
March 19 – 22, 2010

The Shenzhen International Furniture Exhibition is slated to open with the theme of ‘Innovative Designs’.

Shenzhen’s economy and industrial performance form a big part of the organiser’s marketing strategy. According to a statement, organiser Shenzhen Furniture Trade Association stated there are some 2,500 furniture companies of a certain scale in the city, employing more than 200,000 workers. In 2008, Shenzhen produced RMB 85 billion in furniture and exports were worth US$7.2 billion.

The statement also added that the Shenzhen government has been very supportive in shaping Shenzhen into a “city of design”, so much investment has been injected into building industrial research, development and talent.

At the exhibition proper, visitors can look forward to a major presentation of Southeast Asian furniture as well as design-centric furniture.

The special Southeast Asia section receives support from furniture associations in Shenzhen, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia. Exhibits here will have a strong regional flavour. Among these products, the most innovative ones will be presented in a design-oriented display area.

Another highlight at the fair is the prominent showcase of solid wood furniture. According to organisers, this material is going to be a hot choice in 2010.

Last year, the fair covered 160,000 sq m. A total of 560 exhibitors and more than 50,000 buyers were hosted.

Yet Another Sell-out Show Expected

Interzum Guangzhou
China Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex
Guangzhou, China
March 27 – 30, 2010

Held once again in conjunction with the China International Furniture Fair (CIFF), Interzum Guangzhou will cover an area of 80,000 sq m with over 761 exhibitors and more than 60,697 trade buyers visiting it. Organisers Koelnmesse and China Foreign Trade Centre (Group) expect Interzum Guangzhou 2010 to be another sell-out show.

Confirmed international exhibitors include Homag, IMA Klessmann, Vollmer, Schattdecor, Leitz and Henkel from Germany, Freud, SCM Group, Paolino Bacci and FGV from Italy, Forbo from Switzerland, Bostik Findley and Sapsa from France, Bekaert and Latexco NV from Belgium, American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), Leggett & Platt, Weyerhaeuser and Latex International from the United States, UPM- Kymmene from Finland, Samet from Turkey and Matsushita from Japan, etc.

The presence of international pavilions will continue to expand in 2010. Besides the returning German, Italian and USA Pavilions, a new contingent since last year, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Pavilion from the USA, will again participate at Interzum Guangzhou 2010. The ARC will be leading key industrial players from Virginia, Kentucky and Mississippi, among others, to present North America’s most advanced furniture production technology, techniques and materials.

Five key sectors will be represented:
• Materials and Components for Furniture Production
• Machines, Materials and Components for Upholstery and Bedding
• Machines, Materials and Components for Interior Works
• Machines and Auxiliary Machines for Woodworking and Furniture Production
• Others (Media, Associations)

In recognition of market demands and to enhance the comprehensiveness of Interzum Guangzhou, new feature zones will debut in International Hall 11.2. They are:
• Materials and Components for Upholstery & Bedding feature zone– displays including surface materials, textile materials, filling materials and components, mattresses and linens, as well as bedding manufacturing machinery and materials.
• Materials and Components for Interior Works feature zone displays including wood and wood products, parquet, laminates, cork, floor coverings, surface treatment and adhesives.
A series of forum is also in the pipeline. Participants can expect the following topics to be covered:
• Market and business forum - sustainable development
• Technical forum - application of new materials such as environmentally friendly materials
• Innovation and interior design forum - design for tomorrow

A Sell-out Show

iSaloni
Rho Fairgrounds
Milan, Italy
April 14 – 10, 2010

Expect to see a spectrum of products ranging from furniture to furnishing accessories, from kitchens to bathrooms to pieces by young designers – all bristling with quality and originality, combined with an innovative layout that will prove even more joined up and user-friendly.

Last year, a total of 313,385 visitors attended the show. By December 2010, the exhibition space of more than 210,000 sq m has been entirely sold out.

The 49th edition of Salone Internazionale del Mobile is to be held, along with Eurocucina / the International Kitchen Furniture Exhibition, the International Bathroom Furniture Exhibition, the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition and SaloneSatellite.

This year the biennial Kitchen Furniture Exhibition along with FTK (Technology for the Kitchen) – the event dedicated to technological innovation in built-in electrical appliances and cooker hoods – will occupy four Pavilions, Nos. 9, 11, 13 and 15, while two other Pavilions, Nos. 22 and 24, will be occupied by the Bathroom Furniture Exhibition.

Salone Internazionale del Mobile will be shown at the Modern section, in one of the two two-storey buildings (Pavilions 14-16 and 18-20), directly adjacent to the other sector pavilions.

There will be a competition for products in SaloneSatellite and Kitchen and Bathroom biennial exhibitions. Three awards will be given out.

I Saloni 2010 will also include a forum event on the subject of The Office. This event will be held at the Exhibition Centre and is a promotional vehicle for the 2011 edition of SaloneUfficio, the International Office Furniture Exhibition.

Attractive Accommodation Services

HIGH POINT MARKET
High Point Market
North Carolina, US
April 17 – 22, 2010

Registration for Spring Market 2010 is now open and Market-goers can scour for accommodation on its website. The website also features special, Market-only discounts on airfare and rental cars.

According to Brian D Casey, president and chief executive officer of the High Point Market Authority, the information-packed site features more than 50 Triad hotels that have committed to the Market’s Hotel Partner Programme —ensuring that travellers here receive some of the best rates possible.

He said the rates "are almost 25 percent less than last spring, while eliminating any restrictions for minimum-night stays."

To benefit from the Programme, Market-goers must book rooms through the High Point Market site. Or they can contact Dawn Smith, the Market Authority's director of housing.

"For the past two years, we've worked closely with (area) hoteliers to advocate on behalf of our market guests," Casey says.

He said that hotel rates "have dropped by as much as 30 percent on average since we began the process in 2008, with some by nearly 50 percent." In addition, all the properties included in the programme have eliminated minimum-night stay requirements.

Well-known Names To Be Featured

Manchester Furniture Show
Manchester Central
England, UK
July 18 – 21, 2010

Corndell Furniture is the latest well known branded company to join the growing list of exhibitors at this year’s Manchester Furniture Show. The event’s Managing Director Brian Ahern said, “We are delighted to be exhibiting at Manchester this year. We have some new products to launch and look forward to a successful show".

Corndell joins several other new exhibitors including Signature Living, Aero Beds, Persian Art Treasure and the worlds’ biggest recliner brand La-Z-Boy, who are also showing for the first time.

La-Z-Boy Managing Director David Winter said, “La-Z-boy is excited to show at Manchester for the first time due to the year on year growth of the show and the high quality of retailers the venue attracts.”

This year’s show was already 75 percent booked by January 2010, with such well known names as Morris Furniture Group, Buoyant, BM Furniture, Kettle, Originals by Willis & Gambier, Harrison Bros, TCS, Furnico, Wood Bros and Da Vinci all returning to the show once again.

A CHANGE OF DATES

LAS VEGAS MARKET
Las Vegas Design Centre
Las Vegas, US
August 2 – 6, 2010

The Las Vegas Market will change its Summer show dates to August 2 – 6, 2010. The move, which comes a year after the World Market Centre (WMC) pushed its summer market dates to mid-September, is part of an effort by WMC officials to create two "mega-markets" a year.

This coming summer, the Las Vegas Market will overlap the WMC's Gift + Home show and Vegas Kids juvenile furnishings show, which will now both be held August 4 – 7, 2010. The gift and kids shows had previously been set for June 13 – 16, 2010.

The August dates will include a weekend, which market officials said is important to independent gift retailers. WMC said it plans to hold its summer market in years beyond 2010 during a similar late July/early August time frame.

WMC also set its winter market dates for 2011 for January 24 – 28, which will overlap the Surfaces floor coverings show at the Sands Convention and Expo Center and the WMC's InspireDesign hospitality design show. A press release said WMC plans to hold its future winter markets during a similar late January/early February date.

WMC added in the release its new dates received broad support from its advisory board. According to the press release, the new schedule should reduce potential industry conflicts, allowing businesses to concentrate on the market.

However, several exhibitors who are showing in both Las Vegas and High Point, felt otherwise as the dates are too near. They complained that this might pose a logistical challenge for product samples that would have to be moved from Las Vegas to High Point in just a few weeks. Also, they said that it would reduce the number of key buying opportunities for retailers from four a year to three.

Networking, Informatmative Events Lined Up

Dubai Wood Show
Dubai Airport Expo
Dubai, UAE
April 13 – 15, 2010

Three days in April see the most important wood industry exhibition and related events for buyers, sellers and specifiers in the Middle East. Dubai Wood Show, a highly specialised exhibition and series of meetings, and provides an excellent opportunity for regional and international companies and agents to showcase and learn about wood and woodworking and to build new strategic relationships with buyers, traders and investors.

The Dubai Wood Forum is a series of exclusive keynote sessions delivered by wood industry high profile experts and top executives at the four-hour conference held daily during the tradeshow. It is aimed at delivering an agenda that merges wood design and new engineering trends, wood pricing and tariff concerns, a review of green building compliance and legal timber trading, a focus on business development and expansion strategies in the Middle East including logistics and supply chain opportunities. This will provide the audience with innovative and reliable strategies to gain a competitive edge in the fast changing wood market.

The Dubai Woodshow Roundtables, held on April 14-15, offer an ideal platform for interaction with leading companies in the entire wood industry spectrum from across the region and beyond. It also provides a dedicated platform for exclusive one-on-one meetings and should benefit from the projected increase in attendance at this region's one and only wood exposition.

Dubai Woodshow Workshops are a series of three two-hour interactive sessions emphasising key industry concerns, such as legal timber grading (from American and European perspectives), “Green” building certification for the wood industry, entering the UAE and Middle East wood market, innovation in wood processing, the latest wood design patterns and logistics and supply chain for the wood sector. The presentations will be enriching learning experiences designed to provide attendees, in small groups of 20-30 registered delegates, with a comprehensive overview of the topics, an informative approach of the business at hand and a tactical review of their operational requirements. Workshop delegates should be able to take away reliable methodologies applicable to their day-to-day management and overall professional duties.

Networking functions include a gala dinner and cocktail receptions which will feature a short presentation by a noted, respected “Fortune 500” speaker, author and teacher intended to be inspiring and motivational.