TIP fair showcases fabric offerings from China, India, Pakistan
Susan M. Andrews -- Furniture Today, October 10, 2005
Brussels, Belgium — The Textiles d'Interieur Premiere, or TIP, show, which runs concurrently with Decosit here, has developed into a showcase for fabric producers from China, India and Pakistan, with 78% of exhibitors from those countries.
The latest TIP was a must-see for buyers interested in silk constructions for upholstery, finished home textiles and curtain fabrics. The roster this year included dozens of first-time exhibitors.
Andy Green, director of the Trade Link Co., which organizes TIP, said several exhibitors received word about 72 hours prior to the show that their visas would not be issued. "They were some new exhibitors and some of our previous exhibitors," he said. "It's the first time we've had that happen.
"In the future, we will have to develop support systems in their home countries to help them with this," Green said. "Who knows why it happened? In these times, even the smallest issue becomes magnified."
Ashish Boyd, CEO of India-based Boyd Exports, said the visa issue "doesn't surprise me at all because the Belgians have become much more strict since 9/11."
TIP organizers hosted a party on opening night for exhibitors and buyers at the show's new venue for 2006, a complex of warehouses that will be converted into showroom space. The new venue is close to the heart of the city and more convenient to major downtown hotels.
