SINGAPORE, 4 April 2008 –
The International Furniture Fair Singapore 2008
and 25th ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS 2008)
recorded an impressive attendance of 18,361
trade visitors from 129 countries. Spread over
70,000 square metres of gross space at the Singapore
Expo, the fair showcased the best of Asian and
international furniture to great success, achieving
an estimated USD 271 million of spot orders.
The excellent results reaffirmed the effectiveness
of the IFFS/AFS as a business gateway to the
Asian and international market for global trade
players.
A total of 118 foreign buying
delegations visited the four-day fair which
took place from 9 to 12 March. As a result of
the business partnerships and opportunities
forged at the fair, an additional estimated
USD 2.45 billion is expected in follow-on sales.
IFFS/AFS 2008 also generated an estimated USD
45 million in economic spin-offs for Singapore’s
Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions
(MICE) and tourism sectors.
A truly record-breaking
event, IFFS/AFS 2008 has already established
itself as the largest in its 25-year history.
This year, the fair played host to a record
number of 517 exhibitors from 33 countries,
with the largest booths occupying 900 square
metres each. In terms of exhibition space, IFFS/AFS
2008 was larger than the 2007 fair by 12 per
cent, with 44,000 square metres of nett space.
In line with the push towards
design development in the Singapore furniture
industry, IFFS/AFS 2008 also saw the return
of PLATFORM, Furniture Design Award and the
FL!P Challenge. Ninety-five local and Asian
talents from 38 different design houses and
institutions displayed creative new furniture
prototypes to the international trade fraternity,
adding to the dynamism of the fair.
With over 60,000 pieces of
furniture and furnishings on display at the
fair, buyers were spoilt for choice. The myriad
of high-quality furniture and furnishings available
further strengthened IFFS/AFS’ reputation
as a one-stop Asia-wide sourcing platform.
Mr Sundeep Bagga, a VIP
buyer from SUNPAN, Canada/USA commented, “This
is the eighth time we’re at IFFS/AFS,
and it never disappoints! I make it a point
to mark IFFS/AFS in my calendar – it really
is a big event for the furniture industry!“
Another satisfied attendee,
Mr Jonathan Wogan, a VIP buyer from Furniture
Link International, Ireland remarked, “The
last time I was here, I came away with great
buys! IFFS/AFS always delivers beyond expectations
and that’s why its good reputation in
the furniture trade show scene is successfully
growing every year. Whatever I’m looking
for, I’m confident that I’ll always
be able to find it at IFFS/AFS.”
Exhibitors were also pleased
with the results of IFFS/AFS 2008.
“This IFFS/AFS was
a very successful edition for us. It was a great
opportunity for Kenas to showcase some of our
latest collections. With the additional exhibition
halls and the great showing of international
buyers, we are looking forward to next year’s
event!” complimented Mr Jack Wang, Chief
Executive Officer of Kenas Pacific Pte Ltd,
an exhibitor from Hong Kong.
Mark Symes, Managing Director
of International Furniture Direct from the United
Kingdom, remarked, “We had a great experience
at IFFS/AFS 2008, meeting with existing and
new customers from as far away as Spain and
Lithuania. The good organisation, excellent
exhibition venue and facilities made for a trouble-free
and rewarding show.”
Mr Tony Pang, Chairman of
the IFFS/AFS 2008 Show Advisory Panel, said:
“The stellar figures achieved have once
again proven that the IFFS/AFS is recognised
as the best furniture trade show in Asia for
quality furniture in trend-setting designs.
The bar has been set for an even better show
next year, and with our continuous bid to excel,
I’m certain that IFFS/AFS 2009 will surpass
even these high standards.”
For more updates on IFFS/AFS
2009, please visit www.iffs.com.sg
About International
Furniture Fair Singapore Pte Ltd (IFFS Pte Ltd)
International Furniture Fair Singapore Pte Ltd
(IFFS Pte Ltd) is partly owned by the Singapore
Furniture Industries Council (SFIC) and MP International
Pte Ltd. IFFS Pte Ltd’s primary objectives
are to organise and manage furniture and furniture-related
fairs, exhibitions, shows, conferences and other
events worldwide. This includes the annual International
Furniture Fair Singapore/ASEAN Furniture Show
(IFFS/AFS), a keynote event on the furniture
trade exhibition calendar that is widely regarded
as the “Best in Asia” by the industry.
The company has a six-member Board of Directors,
comprising the Chairman, Mr Andrew Ng who is
also President of SFIC, Mr Jerry Tan and Mr
Kenny Koh, SFIC Vice Presidents, SFIC Executive
Committee Member, Mr James Koh, Chairman of
MP International Pte Ltd, Mr James Chia and
Ms Sylvia Phua, CEO of MP International Pte
Ltd.
About International
Furniture Fair Singapore/ASEAN Furniture Show
(IFFS/AFS)
The International Furniture Fair Singapore,
held in conjunction with the ASEAN Furniture
Show (IFFS/AFS) began in 1981 and has since
grown to be regarded by industry experts as
Asia's most prestigious furniture trade show.
IFFS/AFS provides an effective marketing platform
for regional companies to venture into global
markets. As a testimony to the quality of the
show, IFFS/AFS is the first Asian-based international
furniture fair to be accepted as a member of
the elite Union des Foires Internationales,
a Paris-based international authority on trade
fairs. In addition, it is the only furniture
trade event in Singapore to be awarded the 'Approved
International Fair' status by the Singapore
Tourism Board. The Singapore Exhibition and
Convention Bureau also recognises the fair as
a major event on Singapore's international exhibition
calendar.
Issued by :
Foreword Communications Pte Ltd
On behalf of :
International Furniture Fair Singapore Pte Ltd
For media enquires, please
contact:
Jasmine Sim (Senior
Consultant) / Sylvia Lim (Consultant) / Alanna
Yeo (Associate)
Foreword Communications Pte Ltd
Tel: +65 6338 5918
Email: jasmine@foreword.com.sg
/ sylvia@foreword.com.sg
/ alanna@foreword.com.sg
Shermaine Ong
(Executive Director) / Juliana Gan (Marketing
Communications Manager) International
Furniture Fair Singapore Pte Ltd
Tel: +65 6569 6988
Email: shermaine@singaporefurniture.com
/ juliana@iffs.com.sg
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