Asian shows aligning 2008 dates with other markets
By Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, July 16, 2007
Singapore — Four home furnishings trade shows in Southeast Asia have changed their 2008 dates to align themselves more closely with other shows in the region.
The International Furniture Fair Singapore said its 2008 event will be March 9–12, about a week later than the traditional dates.
Meanwhile, the Philippines' Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition, traditionally in late February, is set for March 6–9.
The Malaysian International Furniture Fair, which was held March 6–10 this year, will take place March 4–8 in 2008. Rather than stopping there late in the show circuit as before, visitors will likely hit the Malaysia show first next year.
The Thailand International Furniture Fair also has changed its timing to March 5–9, a few days earlier than this year's dates.
The date changes are significant because they place these shows closer to furniture shows in China during the second half of March.
China's Shenzhen International Furniture Exhibition is scheduled for March 19–22, 2008, according to the show's Web site. March dates are not yet available for the China International Furniture Fair in Guangzhou and the International Famous Furniture Fair in Dongguan. This year, they took place between March 17 and March 21.
Singapore show officials said the new dates will help facilitate travel for buyers who want to attend Asian shows.
"We have done extensive research and thought long and hard before coming to a firm conclusion that this is the right move in the evolution of IFFS/AFS (ASEAN Furniture Show)," said Quek Chin Tuan, CEO of show organizer International Furniture Fair Singapore Pte Ltd., in a statement.
Allan Palecek, president of case goods and accent furniture importer Palecek, has attended the Cebu and Singapore shows in recent years. He said the changes should allow buyers a greater chance to visit more Asian shows, but visitors may be forced to choose in order to make the best use of their time.
"If they are closer together, it probably makes it easier to shop them all, but at some point there are too many (shows) and you have to pick the one you feel most comfortable with," he said.
"You can only buy so much," Palecek added. "At what point do you stop going to shows and make sure what you brought in before is selling?"
Dates for 2008 also were not available for the Philippine International Furniture Show in Manila, which this year was Feb. 27–March 2.
