Dongguan fair signs exhibitors for September
Nearly 80% returning from March show
Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, June 11, 2008
HOUJIE, China — Nearly 80% of the exhibitors showing at the 19th International Famous Furniture Fair in the Houjie district of Dongguan in March have signed up to participate in the September event, according to organizers.
The 20th edition of the show will be held here Sept. 6-10.
In past years, the fair (online at www.3f.net.cn) was held in August. This year, show organizers decided to shift to September to attract more buyers from Europe and the United States who weren’t able to attend the previous shows because they conflicted with vacation schedules.
Officials said the 80% registration figure is a sign that exhibitors approve of the new dates. Another 300 new exhibitors also had signed on for the September show by late April, officials said.
The March show featured 740 exhibitors, with offerings that included indoor residential furniture, home accents, lighting and accessories, and wood machinery and components. A total of 580 of those exhibitors were furniture and home accessory manufacturers.
The September show will feature the same product segments.
One benefit of the schedule change is that the show will take place closer to the China International Furniture Expo in Shanghai, to be held Sept. 10-13 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center, and the 2009 Shanghai International Furniture Fair, to be held Sept. 11-15.
In addition, the China International Furniture Fair in Guangzhou (www.ciff-gz.com) also traditionally was held in August but like 3F, moved its dates to September to draw more foreign buyers. It is set for Sept. 8-11 at the China Import Export Fair Pazhou Complex.
