ASEAN Establishes Major Furniture Trade Show Circuit

Furniture World Magazine

For the second consecutive year, the ASEAN Furniture Industries Council (AFIC) is leading and coordinating the efforts of five major trade show organisers in the ASEAN region to conduct a joint advertising campaign. The campaign is aimed at promoting the five ASEAN furniture trade shows as one seamless circuit that comprehensively meets the sourcing requirements of international furniture trade buyers. Organisers of International Furniture & Craft Fair Indonesia, Malaysian International Furniture Fair, the Philippine International Furniture Show, Cebu-X, and the International Furniture Fair Singapore will jointly conduct an advertising campaign using an advertisement created by the AFIC Secretariat. The advertisement highlights the locations and dates of the respective shows and emphasizes that in 2008, in a single trip to the region, buyers can visit six very attractive and unique furniture shows. Mr Jerry Tan, Secretary-General of AFIC, said, “The joint advertisement campaign, which is already into its second year of existence, is unique in that it reflects the cohesiveness of AFIC members, who are acutely aware that to meet the strong competition in the furniture trade shows arena, it is very much in the respective organizers’ interest to band together and promote the shows collectively. AFIC will lead and expand this worthwhile project over the years, and in time, we plan to place the advertisement in all major furniture trade publications of the world.” First on the calendar of the five ASEAN shows, the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) will be held from 4-8 March 2008, at the Putra World Trade Centre and the MATRADE Exhibition and Convention Centre. MIFF covers an impressive total exhibition space of over 80,000 sqm. The dedicated 5- day fair will showcase a comprehensive selection of new products, designs, styles and concepts from over 450 companies and 14 countries, giving more choices and variety to over 19,000 visitors. The next ASEAN show to start will be the Philippine International Furniture Show, which will be held at the SM X Convention Centre from 5-8 March 2008. PIFS presents exciting design concepts and the use of natural and man-made materials that evolve out of the rich Philippine culture, vis-à-vis an acute awareness of global trends and perspectives. At PIFS, exhibitors continually outdo their own best skills to develop well-designed and quality furniture that are in tune with new design directions and material innovations. Also in the Philippines, the third ASEAN show to start will be the Cebu-X 2008, which will be held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino from 6-9 March 2008. At Cebu-X 2008, every exhibitor is keen to display the ingenuity and excellent craftsmanship that Philippines is known for. The show in 2008 is set to charge ahead and provide the global market with unique products and designs, where the ultimate creations are closely rooted in the beauty of Cebu’s land and culture. The International Furniture & Craft Fair Indonesia 2008 (IFFINA 2008), to be held from 7-11 March 2008 at the Jakarta International Expo, will be the fourth ASEAN show to start. The inaugural IFFINA 2008 provides a comprehensive viewing of the Indonesian furniture and craft industry. IFFINA 2008, with its 40,000 sqm of floor space, boasts excellent quality products at reasonable prices that will satisfy the most discerning buyers. The organizers of IFFINA are eager to present the best that is unique to Indonesia. The International Furniture Fair Singapore 2008/25th Asean Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS 2008) will be held from 9 – 12 March 2008 at the Singapore Expo. The fifth of the ASEAN shows, IFFS/AFS 2008 promises to be the place to see quality, design-centric furniture from manufacturers across Asia and around the world. With over 500 exhibitors from some 30 countries, the IFFS/AFS 2008 will have the widest array of more than 52,000 products from ASEAN and beyond on display. The ASEAN trade show circuit will end in Thailand, from March 12 - 16, 2008, at the IMPACT Exhibition Center, in Bangkok, Thailand. Integrating the latest design trends, materials, innovation and technology in interior and furniture design into 40,000 sqm., of exhibition space, the Thailand International Furniture Fair 2008 (TIFF 2008) features award-winning furniture and interior design. . About ASEAN Furniture Industries Council (AFIC) ASEAN Furniture Industries Council (AFIC) was established in 1978 as a regional trade organisation with the primary objectives of promoting the interests of the ASEAN furniture industries. AFIC currently comprises of constituent members that represent the furniture industries of each ASEAN country and are certified by their respective ASEAN Chamber of Commerce and Industry's or its equivalent. Current AFIC members are: ASMINDO (Indonesia), Malaysian Furniture Industry Council (Malaysia), Myanmar Forest Products and Timber Merchants Association (Myanmar), Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines (Philippines), Singapore Furniture Industries Council (Singapore), and Thai Furniture Industry Club - Federation of Thai Industries (Thailand). Philippines currently holds the Chairman and Secretariat portfolios for the 2007/2009 term. For more information on AFIC, visit www.aficfurn.com