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IFFS 2019 Recap: A New Successful Transformation Begins

Furniture World News Desk on 4/12/2019


The International Furniture Fair Singapore announced a successful debut at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, from March 9 to 12, 2019. The new picturesque fair venue received rave reviews from both exhibitors and trade visitors alike, and will be the anchor venue for the next four editions of IFFS.

Over 4 days, 15,126 attendees and 95 overseas buying delegations from 87 different countries attended the 2019 edition. 204 exhibitors displayed signature showcases to the fair’s new theme of ‘UrbanAsia – the Future of Urban Living’. The fair was also co-located with the 36th ASEAN Furniture Show and NOOK Asia 2019, representing the furniture, furnishing and interior design industries.

“As the show continues to evolve amidst a challenging trade landscape, we progressively and sustainably reinvent the show to spot key trends, identify major challenges and propose alternative solutions to best cater to the ever-changing needs of tomorrow’s urban living. The change in venue has been a positive step for us, as with the introduction of a new, exciting and relevant theme, as we welcome a myriad audience that will elevate IFFS to the next level”, Mr. Ernie Koh, Chairman of IFFS Pte Ltd who remarked on a successful note.

A Truly International Platform to Connect, Converse and Collaborate

A total of 95 overseas buying delegations visiting the fair, including notable retail groups and buying houses such as Globewest, Coco Republic (Australia), BUT (France), Ludwig Guttman GmbH (Germany), Indigo Living (Hong Kong), Island & Republik (Malaysia), Republic Home (New Zealand), SeCan Impex (Romania), Sys Co. Ltd (South Korea), El Corte Ingles (Spain), Home Centre, Lals Group (United Arab Emirates) Urban Outfitters, Mountain Region, and HD Buttercup (USA). IFFS remains the preferred choice as an all-in-one stop for their sourcing needs across the entire furniture and furnishing ecosystem, with follow-on orders expected for the year ahead as a result of the plentiful business opportunities and bountiful business deals presented at the fair.

Displaying their latest urban living collections and solutions to address the aspirations and lifestyle needs of an ever-growing urban population, the 2019 edition had over 100,000 exquisite pieces from around the world, including well-known brands such as Anno 13 (Belgium), Asiades (Hong Kong), Deesawat (Thailand), District Eight (Vietnam), HALO (Hong Kong), KODA (Singapore), Life Outdoor Living (Belgium), Lumas Gallery (Germany), Manutti (Belgium), PR Interiors (Belgium), Reeves Design (Vietnam), Talenti (Italy), Tetrad (United Kingdom) and Woven+ (The Netherlands), strategically positioning IFFS as the launch-pad to penetrate the international markets.

 

Positive Recognition All Around

With the new venue comes rave reviews from the fair’s exhibitors. One of the fair’s stalwart exhibitor for more than a decade, Mr Elibert Tigges from Woven+, The Netherlands, voiced his pleasure for this edition, “The numbers don’t lie – 35% more direct orders, 40% more quotations, with the best to come. As to our achievements, besides being accorded the Best Stand Award again, we met excellent new quality buyers and leads from all over the world! Pauline and myself, joined by our new partners Joan and Harrie, and the whole team of Woven+ are proudly looking back at the best IFFS edition ever! We can fiercely tell that the move from the outdated halls towards the much higher-level facilities at Sands Expo & Convention Centre was seen as a giant step forward.  From an exhibitor’s standpoint, the whole operation was very smooth and added a lot to the good vibes of all sales teams around. From the upfront reactions of visiting buyers, this year’s experience was perceived as well-balanced, comfortable and efficient. The level of presentations, thanks to our fellow exhibitors were recognised at an international brand level. We are cementing our foothold at IFFS 2020!”

Echoing this view, and in concurrence with the positive experience of the shift to the new venue, a media from MD Magazine, Bulgaria, Ms Antoaneta Kostova, shared, “The show was consistent, with a striking contemporary look and a programme that excites the professional visitors. I am very impressed by the spectacular new venue of the event. For sure, Marina Bay Sands Expo serves a lot for the overall positive impression of 2019 edition of the show and connects perfectly with the theme ‘UrbanAsia – the Future of Urban Living‘.

The new theme was also well-received by the fair’s local exhibitors. Mr Melvin Chong from Koncept Kreation, part of the signature Nex-Gen urban living showcase featuring homegrown brands, added “IFFS has given my team, partners and associates from the industry’s second-generation an excellent opportunity to come together as one to design and build a successful urban living concept, opening up doors to potential business collaborations both locally and overseas, and serve as a successful springboard for us to internationalize and take our business to the next level.”

Already looking ahead to the next edition, which will take place at the same venue from March 9 – 12  2020, Ms Benta Wiley, buyer from Benta Wiley Studio (Italy) cited in anticipation, “I feel very welcomed by the excellent co-ordination of the fair, and the availability of the new and relevant collections.  I will certainly encourage other buyers to visit the fair next year, as a one-stop platform to fulfill their sourcing requirements”

The International Furniture Fair Singapore 2020 will be held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre from March 9 – 12 .  For more information,  visit: www.IFFS.com.sg  and  www.NOOKAsia.com.sg

 



About International Furniture Fair Singapore/ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS) and NOOK Asia:

The International Furniture Fair Singapore, held in conjunction with the ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS) and the NOOK Asia, is regarded by industry experts as Asia’s premier sourcing platform and design-led exhibition. With over three decades of experience since its inaugural event in 1981, the IFFS/AFS remains the most distinctive channel for regional and international companies to penetrate the global market.

Together, the events — IFFS/AFS and NOOK Asia — will feature a comprehensive range of furniture, furnishing, decorative accessories, interiors and fittings by a diverse portfolio of quality exhibitors, and attract a healthy and well-represented attendance of trade buyers and visitors from the entire furniture ecosystem and value chain.

To make it a holistic trade event, the various design initiatives — SingaPlural, Design STARS and International Design Showcase — offer added depth and dimension to this Singapore-anchored trade event, raising its profile as a show not-to-be-missed in the industry calendar.

IFFS/AFS is supported by the ASEAN Furniture Industries Council (AFIC), DesignSingapore Council, Enterprise Singapore and Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau.