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Over 80 per cent of
floor space booked eight months prior to fair
Singapore, 3 August 2007
– IFFS Pte Ltd, organiser of the International
Furniture Fair Singapore 2008/25thASEAN Furniture
Show (IFFS/AFS 2008), has registered an increase of
more than 25 per cent in bookings in light of the
recent announcement of the change in dates for IFFS/AFS
2008. Now scheduled for 9 to 12 March 2008, local
and overseas participants are optimistic that IFFS/AFS
2008 will garner even higher visitorship. IFFS/AFS
2008, which will be held over four days, will spread
over seven halls at the Singapore Expo, making it
the largest in the show’s 25-year history. Over
80 per cent of the total nett floor space of 44,000
sqm has been booked to date, compared to 55 per cent
during the same period last year.
Mr Quek Chin Tuan, Chief Executive
Officer of IFFS Pte Ltd, said: “We are delighted
to see that both local and foreign companies have
responded so well to IFFS/AFS 2008. We have recently
learnt that the first show in the China circuit, Dongguan’s
International Famous Furniture Fair, will be changing
its dates to 16 - 20 March 2008. This brings our fair
even closer to the start of the major China furniture
trade show circuit and makes it easier for global
industry players to participate in the different shows.
We will continue to ensure that travel and logistical
inconveniences are minimised for trade visitors and
exhibitors.”
With more than 300 exhibitors
confirmed so far, IFFS/AFS 2008 promises to be the
place to see quality, design-centric furniture from
industry members across Southeast Asia and around
the world. Singapore’s central location in the
region makes it an excellent starting point for travel
in Asia, and with the new dates, IFFS/AFS 2008 offers
even more timesavings and convenience for all global
trade players.
As testimony to the Fair’s
effectiveness as a business gateway for international
exhibitors in Asia, over 80 per cent of the 36,000
sqm of nett space reserved at IFFS/AFS 2008 has been
booked by repeat exhibitors, while the remaining is
filled by new exhibitors.
Signalling a more optimistic economic
outlook, many of the repeat exhibitors have also significantly
increased their exhibition space for next year’s
show. Local furniture manufacturer Star Furniture,
for example, has increased its floor space by about
30 per cent after the announcement of the change in
dates.
Mr Kenny Koh, Managing Director
of Star Furniture Industries Pte Ltd, said: “We
are confident that the date change for IFFS/AFS 2008
will attract more visitors to the fair. IFFS/AFS has
always been a good business platform for us and it
is an annual event that plays a significant role within
our strategic business plans. We will be showcasing
our latest furniture collections and we believe they
will be well received by the international audience.”
Mr Roger Harris, Merchandise Manager
of Furniture of MRP Services/Menton Imports, New Zealand
and a regular visitor at IFFS/AFS was also glad to
hear about the shift in dates. He said: “IFFS/AFS
has certainly lived up to its reputation of being
the “Best Show in Asia” over the past
few years. This change in date means less transit
time for buyers like myself who need to attend several
shows within the region. It shows good foresight and
is a really good move on IFFS’ part. I’m
also very pleased to learn that the show in 2008 has
expanded from six to seven halls, which will mean
a greater variety of furniture products and designs
to source from, higher participation levels and better
opportunities all round. I look forward to a great
show.”
Responses by members of overseas
furniture associations have also been enthusiastic.
At a recent balloting session organised by ASMINDO,
the Indonesian Furniture Industry and Handicrafts
Association, for its members, more than 3,500 sqm
of nett floor space under the Indonesia pavilion at
IFFS/AFS 2008 was snapped up on the spot. To date,
ASMINDO has another 33 companies on the waiting list
for the remaining booth space. The high demand for
exhibition space at the fair is an attestation to
the prestige and business opportunities accredited
to the fair.
Indeed, Mr Gerard Van Horen, Managing
Director of Olori Furniture Pty Ltd, Australia, a
firsttime exhibitor at IFFS/AFS next year, echoed
his excitement about the prospects that the fair will
bring. He said: “We’ve heard so much about
IFFS/AFS being an exceptional marketing platform.
It’s grown to become an international furniture
trade event that we simply cannot afford to miss.
We can’t wait to showcase our unique products
and we are confident that IFFS/AFS 2008 will be able
to help us expand our business contacts, broaden creative
horizons and achieve good results.”
For more information on IFFS/AFS
2008, 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 a subsidiary of SFIC, which owns 60 per
cent of IFFS Pte Ltd. MP International Pte Ltd owns
the remaining 40 per cent share of the company. IFFS
Pte Ltd’s business is in organising and managing
furniture and furniture-related fairs, exhibitions,
shows, conferences and other events worldwide. IFFS
Pte Ltd organises the annual International Furniture
Fair Singapore, which is held in conjunction with
the ASEAN Furniture Show. In addition, IFFS Pte Ltd
and MP International have launched the International
Hospitality Furniture Expo, which will be held in
Bahrain from 3 – 5 September 2007. The company
has a six-member Board of Directors, comprising the
Chairman of the Board, Mr James Koh, who is Presidential
Advisor to SFIC, Mr Andrew Ng, the current SFIC President,
Messrs Jerry Tan and Sim Kah Choon who are Vice-Presidents
of SFIC, Mr James Chia and Ms Sylvia Phua, Chairman
and CEO of MP International Pte Ltd respectively.
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 (Consultant)/Sylvia
Lim (Senior Associate)
Foreword Communications Pte Ltd
Tel: +65 6338 5918
Email: jasmine@foreword.com.sg
/ sylvia@foreword.com.sg
Quek Chin Tuan (Chief Executive
Officer)/Juliana Gan (Assistant Marcom Manager)
IFFS Pte Ltd
Tel: +65 6569 6988
Email: chintuan@iffs.com.sg
/ juliana@iffs.com.sg
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