IFFS/AFS 2011, Deco Asia 2011 and Hospitality Asia 2011 Exceed Expectations with Record Visitors and Sales

The International Furniture Fair Singapore 2011 and 28th ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS 2011) ended on a high note after a rousing four-day run. Co-locating with Deco Asia 2011 and the first edition of Hospitality Asia 2011, the fair attracted a total of 20,873 visitors from 112 countries, marking a 20.8 per cent increase over the last edition.

The trilogy of shows welcomed a total of 128 overseas buying delegations including top companies like Restoration Hardware from USA, EL Corte Ingles S.A from Spain and Nitori Co Ltd from Japan. Spot orders to the tune of US$ 289 million were transacted at the fair, up from US$ 270 million last year. Follow-on sales from the fair are expected to top US$ 3.02 billion, affirming its reputation as Asia's premiere one-stop furniture and furnishings sourcing platform.

A total of 536 exhibitors participated at IFFS/AFS 2011, Deco Asia 2011 and Hospitality Asia 2011, filling the 70,000 square metres to the brim with over 120,000 pieces of quality furniture and furnishings. In testament to the international appeal of the show, overseas exhibitors occupied over 79 per cent of the show floor, with congregation of country pavilions from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

"We will have to look for a bigger production factory after IFFS ends. That is how successful the fair has been for us," said Mr Martin Filskov Olsen, President of Asian Design House whose company was a returning exhibitor at Deco Asia 2011.

An avid visitor to the fair, Mr Christoph Hampel from Garant Mobel Japan Inc concluded, "This is the one fair in Asia where you establish contacts, find resources and check out new products and I'm very satisfied to have met all my objectives."

Design took centre stage with a spectacular visual extravaganza. The Designers' Space or D'Space segment featured displays by ten promising design talents at PLATFORM, the winning entries from Furniture Design Award 2011, creative show by No Boundaries, the Design Inevitable showcase, in collaboration with renowned Japanese minimalist Mr Naoto Fukasawa and the PUSH showcase from DesignS. Yin Tzu-Chi, a Taiwanese student from National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, won the Grand Award in the Students category, while Jerry Low, a Singapore designer with Air Division Pte Ltd clinched the top award in the Designers category.

This year's Furniture Design Forum hosted internationally distinguished speakers like Mr Naoto Fukasawa from Japan, architect Mr Vincent Van Duysen from Belgium and Mr Marco Cappellin from Moroso Spa in Italy, all of whom delivered thought-provoking presentations to an audience that included industry professionals, architects, designers and students.

Mr Tony Pang, Chairman of the Show Advisory Panel said, "Remaining relevant and sensitive to the needs of the furniture industry is one of the ways we ensure the continued success of IFFS/AFS. This year's expanded programme, and the addition of a show tailored for the hospitality industry, has garnered positive reviews from exhibitors and visitors alike. With the continued growth of the furniture industry in South East Asia, IFFS/AFS, Deco Asia and Hospitality Asia will become increasingly important in helping connect local industries to the global marketplace."

For more information about IFFS/AFS, Deco Asia and Hospitality Asia, please visit www.iffs.com.sg, www.DecoAsia.com.sg and www.HospitalityAsia.com.sg.