From left: Mr. Ernie Koh, Chairman of IFFS, Minister for Trade and Industry Mr. S Iswaran and His Excellency Dr Michael Pulch, Ambassador of the European Union. Photo credit: IFFS 2017
In the Singapore EXPO, the International Furniture Fair Singapore 2017 (IFFS) opened its doors once again. The event, held from the 9th of March to the 12th, features 428 first-world exhibiting enterprises from 35 countries. Organized in conjunction with NOOK Asia and the 34th ASEAN Furniture Show (AFS), the exposition is predicted to draw in about 500 hosted clients and 20,000 experts of the trade ranging from interior design, furniture and furnishing industries from across the globe.
Celebrated Italian creative director and designer Giulio Capellini. Photo credit: IFFS 2017
A varied and diverse portfolio of excellent exhibitors will present an exhaustive range of interiors, fittings, furniture, furnishing and decorative accessories, appealing to the well-represented and strong attendance of visitors and trade buyers from all over the furniture value chain.
The IFFS is considered among industry professionals as Asia’s leading design-led exhibition and sourcing platform. Founded in 1981 and now in its 34th edition, IFFS continues to be the most distinguished vehicle for companies – regional as well as international – to crack the global market.
Mr. Ernie Koh, Chairman of IFFS Pte Ltd, said: “One of our main goals since rebranding IFFS last year was to deliver a show experience that’s more fulfilling than the last. We’re growing the event in new ways, embracing innovation in the furniture and trade show business, to ensure that we stay relevant and effective.”
Mr. Ernie Koh, the Chairman of IFFS, gives the welcoming address. Photo credit: IFFS 2017
And staying relevant and attractive they are. For the very first time, IFFS collaborated with Singapore-based start-up Dimension 5 Technologies (D5T) to feature furniture pieces from a chosen few exhibitors – Sam & Sara, Commune, Resource Decor and Danovel – in a novel way: Virtual Reality (VR) showrooms.
Digitizing part of the fair is in alignment with the furniture industry’s progressive retail methods and dynamic, changing trade show modes. In recent years, businesses have been looking to incorporate numerous facets of operations with digital technologies, and IFFS reflects that move away from traditional methods of product presentation.
A number of various design initiatives will be completing the fair, providing added depth and dimension, as well as boosting its profile as a an event in the industry that is not to be missed – Design Seminars, Design STARS, Furniture Design Award, and SingaPlural.
Mr. Ernie Koh, Chairman of IFFS (fourth from left) and Minister for Trade and Industry Mr. S Iswaran (fifth from left) stand next to 2017 Furniture Design Award winner Hiroki Sakamoto (centre)
