China International Furniture Fair And High Point Market Authority Announce Strategic Partnership

Furniture World News Desk on 6/13/2016

left to right: Mr. Chen Wanghui, Mr. Tom Conley

China International Furniture Fair (CIFF) recently reported that it hosted a luncheon at the String & Splinter Club in High Point, NC for a group of the industry leaders of Chinese and American furniture manufacturers, retailers, suppliers and media representatives attending the Spring Furniture Market to announce a Strategic Partnership between themselves and the High Point Market Authority. This first event’s primary focus was to share a brief overview of the CIFF shows in both Guangzhou and Shanghia, through the experience of current exhibitors and attendees.

Mr. Chen Wanghui, Vice General Manager of China Foreign Trade, Guangzhou Exhibition General Corp. and General Manager of CIFF’s CFTE Furniture Exhibition Company spoke to the group of 90 plus regarding the development strategies of both their shows held in Guangzhou in March and Shanghia Hongqiao in September. He talked to the group about the advantages of CIFF working closely with the High Point Market attendees to increase international sells for import and export initiatives. The China furniture industry grew 14% in 2015, which shows the strong furniture consumption in China and the potential for growth for furniture sells. “If you seize the Chinese market, you are seizing the world”.

Mr. Tom Conley, President, High Point Market Authority, welcomed Mr. Chen of CIFF to High Point for their first time together since they had announced their intention of a strategic partnership. “It is the goal of HPMA to put together buyers and sellers from around the world,” Mr. Conley said, “therefore we are looking forward to explore the potential of bringing US based companies to Shanghai and to also bring some additional Chinese companies to the US.” He also spoke of his recent trip to Shanghai and went on to say, “the Shanghai exhibition center is absolutely gorgeous and for those who choose to participate, I think you will be very, very impressed.”

Mr. Jack Kong was introduced as the Director of High Point Markets China office.
Mr. Li Weiliang, President of Gainwell, was also introduced as an honored guest.

Mr. Bo Harvey, Vice President, International Sales for Ashley Furniture Industries, addressed the group saying, “We see tremendous potential in the China market and regard it as one of the most important elements of our global strategy”. “CIFF has the largest and most influential expo brands in the China market and has become an important promotion platform for Ashley.” He spoke about the opportunities to meet customers from Europe, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia markets while participating at CIFF. Mr. Harvey concluded, “We greatly recommend this platform for our American industry colleagues and to seize the opportunity to participate. We can work together to capitalize on the China market and beyond.”

Mr. Yau Yeun Hong, Managing Director, Violino, Ltd, shared that his company had participated with CIFF since 1995 and thanked them for their support. “For 21 years, CIFF has been a good platform to connect all of us together, the people of the furniture industry.” The story of the relationship with CIFF is a successful one, we will continue to give each other support for another 20 years.”

Another prominent guest was Mr. Burton Chen with Kuka Home, a leading brand in China home furnishings. Mr. Chen said, “Kuka has attended CIFF for more than 15 sessions”; CIFF has always provided us the best support. He went on to say that CIFF, “offered a broad platform for display and communication that enable us to cooperate with worldwide buyers and to learn from each other. Kuka Home will continue to support CIFF in Shanghai in September 2016.”

Mr. Kevin Castellani, President of Furniture, who has attended CIFF for the past 10 years, gave the closing speech. “This year with over 160,000 visitors walking around the event, it is an experience everybody should share.” He went on to add comments regarding a report in this week’s issue of Furniture Today reporting that “imports grew over 11% to over $22 billion and that China alone had reported $11 billion, an 11% increase over 2014.” Adding, “It is no longer a domestic marketplace, it is a global marketplace”.

Furniture Today is a member of International Alliance of Furniture Publications (IAFP), an association of furniture trade publications that currently represents media from 19 countries. “Our association has had a media alliance with CIFF and have actually acknowledged CIFF to be the largest furniture platform in the world. We continue to watch CIFF grow and support their efforts on a global scale.”

The event came to a close with time for individual conversations with the special guests and, some there were some great industry conversations between Chinese and American industry counterparts. There were many pictures taken to commemorate this kick off event and development of new partnerships.