Asia’s Grand Dame of Furniture Shows (ASEAN) Continues To Impress After More Than A Decade

Furniture World Magazine

In what is a firm indication of continued faith and confidence in the regional furniture sector, organisers of the International Furniture Fair Singapore 2001 held in conjunction with the 18th ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS 2001) revealed today that over 600 companies from more than 30 nations have confirmed participating in the five day event, with Switzerland, Spain and Sri Lanka making their exhibitor debut. This figure, a marked increase of more than 17 percent from the Y2K instalment which housed 559 exhibitors, is a double boon as Asian representation alone has expanded by over 7 percent from year 2000 - a particularly impressive achievement and further endorsement of the IFFS/AFS as a vital marketing platform for the Asian furniture industry as a whole to grow their businesses globally. In fact, it is the only international trade show with the largest ASEAN and Asian representation of up to 75% of the Show. Mr Bert Choong, Chairman of the IFFS/AFS 2001 Organising Committee and President of the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (or SFIC, the event organisers) affirmed: "This is a significant milestone in SFIC’s endeavours to nurture IFFS/AFS into a mega fair of global standards. The last decade or so has been nothing short of spectacular with steady annual expansion evidence of IFFS/AFS’s growing position as the choice regional furniture marketing platform." Furniture professionals visiting IFFS/AFS 2001, housed at Singapore Expo in Changi from 1st March onwards, can expect their senses to be titillated by an exciting collection of product offerings spread across five halls or 50,000 square metres. The breadth of the show is, in fact, an increase in exhibition space by 25 percent - another landmark feat in the show’s rich history. In 1988, the ASEAN Furniture Industries Council chose Singapore as the permanent site for IFFS/AFS owing to its world-class infrastructure and business facilities. A move greatly welcomed by SFIC as being in line with its efforts to place Singapore firmly on the map as the Asian furniture hub, providing and spearheading numerous marketing platforms and opportunities for local and regional players to break into the global scene. And the IFFS/AFS 2001 is one such major avenue. The 2001 Fair will also showcase winning entries from the Furniture Design Competition (FDC), made more noteworthy this year with pilgrim participation from ASEAN countries like Thailand. At the time of press, over 200 entries have been received and the organisers are impressed with level of quality seem from submitted designs. "We realize the increasing number of talents from within the regional furniture community and intend to continue providing an avenue for these budding designers to ‘introduce’ their work to the powers that be, to establish themselves as potential leaders in this field. As a major highlight of IFFS/AFS 2001, FDC is a critical networking session to realise this aspiration," concluded Mr Choong. More information on the Fair as well as the Furniture Design Competition can be found at www.iffs.com.sg. The website was recently revamped to incorporate added features like a comprehensive Exhibitors Listing and Press Centre. Additionally, throughout the actual period of the show, daily updates on visitor traffic and other breaking headlines will be posted. The revamp is an initiative by SFIC to position the furniture industry on the right side of the digital divide. For more information, please contact either of the following: Email: sheela_goh@adxplorer.com Email: iffs@singaporefurniture.com ABOUT IFFS/AFS: The International Furniture Fair Singapore (IFFS), which began in 1989, has become regarded by industry leaders as the premiere trade event in Asia. Held in conjunction with the ASEAN Furniture Show (AFS), IFFS/AFS is the only event of its kind providing a marketing platform for regional companies to venture into global markets and for global players to tap into the vast potential of Asia. Over the last decade, IFFS/AFS has grown from its humble beginnings of 18,000 square metres to an expected 50,000 square metres in 2001. This is a whopping increase of over 270 percent, and it continues to expand, achieving many more firsts for the furniture industry. Today, it remains the only furniture trade event held in Singapore to be recognised and endorsed by the Singapore Trade Development Board and the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau, having been granted Approved International Fair status in acknowledgment of its role in promoting cross-border trade. Furthermore, IFFS/AFS is also the first international Asian-based furniture fair to be accepted as a member of the elite Union des Foires Internationales, a Paris-based international body of trade fair organisers. This is testimony to the quality and high standards of the show. More information on IFFS/AFS 2001 can be had at the revamped www.iffs.com.sg. ABOUT SFIC: Established 20 years ago, the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC) is Singapore’s official representative of the furniture industry. It plays a proactive role in promoting the interest of fellow members in promoting the nation as the regional hub for furniture design, product quality, marketing and distribution. SFIC has been successfully instrumental in building IFFS/AFS for the last few years, growing it to its current size and stature. This has been possible with close collaboration and co-operation with pertinent statutory boards, government bodies as well as both local and foreign industry players. The SFIC is currently also the Secretariat of the ASEAN Furniture Industries Council (AFIC). Further details on SFIC can be found at www.singaporefurniture.com. ABOUT IAFP: The IAFP is a global alliance which links together leading furniture publications with the purpose of providing better information and enhancing the quality of coverage on happenings within the global furniture marketplace. It was officially formed in 1997 and counts representatives from 11 major titles namely Furniture Today (USA), Cabinet Maker (UK), Mobelmart (Germany), China Furniture (China), G.d’A (Italy), Home Living (Japan), Taiwan Furniture (Taiwan), La Revue de Ameublement (France), Mobiliario (Spain), Australasian Furnishings Trade Journal (Australia) and Moblaje (Mexico).