Mumbai: Augmenting the enthusiastic response from the international 
and local furniture manufacturers, the inaugural India International Furniture Fair (IIFF) is all geared up to host multiple seminars and discussions on the emerging trends in furniture sector from 16 to 18 November 2011 in Bombay Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Organised by MP International Pte Ltd (MPI) in partnership with the International Furniture Fair Singapore (IFFS) Pte Ltd, the show will welcome about 100 participating companies and brands from leading furniture names from around the world. The trade show expected to gross 5,000 square metres will feature country pavilions including Singapore, Malaysia, China, Spain, India and Indonesia.
According to Ms. Sylvia Phua, chief executive officer of MP International, “We are overwhelmed with the response received from the international as well as local trade and industry players after our successful press launch of IIFF in Mumbai in July. The launch of IIFF will add value to the massive Indian market with a credible buyer-seller meeting place for industry members to source innovative, new-to-market product offerings and keep abreast of major global design and industry trends.”
Highlights of the show are planned for the interest of various sectors, local and international, that are attending the fair. Two half-day design seminars will be dedicated to the discussions on emerging furniture design trends on the global and Indian platforms. Over six power-packed sessions, prominent industry professionals will delve into tropics on design trend-spotting for India’s residential and hospitality sectors and the global influences on India’s furniture market, as well as the rise of sustainable green architecture.
World renowned Spanish furniture designer, Amparo Munoz will open the first day’s seminar, giving an overview on aesthetics in global furniture design. Other renowned industry experts in the speaker line-up include Kalhan Mattoo, principal architect of Planet 3 Studios and Rajeev Ramprakash, head of design strategy of Godrej Properties, who will give invaluable insights to the emerging design trends and taste preferences of India’s urban generation.
The design seminar will also address the ‘green’ issue of design and product sustainability. Karan Grover, the first architect to receive the platinum award for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design from United States Green Building Council, will be sharing the benefits of sustainable architecture and design. Criswell Davis, consultant of American Hardwood Export Council based in the United States, will examine the world’s current and future source of furniture materials, including sustainable materials.
International exhibitors and top-tier buyers can look forward to intensive project pitching sessions, an initiative launched by the organisers. Furniture manufacturers, targeting the contract furniture segment specifically in the sectors of hospitality and residential development, will present their product value and business capabilities to top-tier buyers and decision makers in the contract furniture business. The activity will allow buyers to meet and evaluate potential suppliers in a shortest time possible, thus maximizing their time and resources at the show.
To enrich the international exhibitors’ visit to IIFF, a post-show business symposium and industry tour is planned specially for those who are new to the emerging Indian market. Leading local industry experts, Nitin Killawala, principal architect of Nitin Killawala and Associates and Shirish Dalal, president of Association of Furniture Manufacturers and Traders, will share their expertise and knowledge on India’s organised retail sector and business structure. Attendees will gain insights on effective pitching techniques to the Indian trade buyers as well as the country’s latest warehousing capabilities to effectively improve foreign suppliers’ supply chain management.
Over 70 per cent of the exhibitors are from China, France, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore and Spain. Some of the international participants include: Fama Yecla, Mobel Yecla, Relax Zaragoza, Pedro Ortiz, Piel Confort, Tajoma Valencia (Spain); Jacques Pergay (France); Gatto Cucine (Italy); American Hardwood Export Council (United States); Classique, Ergoworld, Ewins, Falcon Incorporation, Innoplan, Ivena, Koda, Lifeshop, Lorenzo, Sam & Sara, Sitra Holding, Star Furniture, Zhaplin (Singapore); AQSA International, Iqbal Furniture, NUK Furniture, Warisan (Indonesia); G Pacific Enterprises (Malaysia); MDF Creation (Hong Kong); Ho Bridge (Taiwan); and Deluxsh, Dongguan Hongyun Furniture, Goldkey Import and Export, Guangdong Hongqui Furniture (China). The trade show will also feature leading Indian players such as Artasia, Burosys Furniture, Decora Innovations, Maspar, Mehar Industries, Laxmi International Export, SunCity and Sharda India.
IIFF has garnered strong support from several key organisations from India including Association of Furniture Manufacturers of India, Association of Manufacturers and Traders, Council of Architecture, Builders’ Association of India and Institute of Indian Interior Designers. Support from international associations includes Singapore Furniture Industries Council, Dongguan Famous Furniture Association, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Furniture Entrepreneur Association and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The show is expected to draw over 3,000 trade visitors from India and the rest of South Asia. The hosted buyer programme, exclusive for 150 top-tier buyers, targets furniture importers, retailers and distributors, architects, interior designers, hospitality companies, commercial and residential property owners and developers.
For more information on the event, please visit www.indiafurniturefair.com
