Singapore, 9 March 2017 – The International Furniture Fair Singapore 2017 today returns to Singapore EXPO with an exceptional show experience set to impress, presented by a total of 428 firstrate exhibiting companies from 35 countries. Over the next four days, along with co-located shows 34th ASEAN Furniture Show (AFS) and NOOK Asia, the fair is expected to attract almost 20,000 trade professionals from the furniture, interior design, and furnishing industries all over the world,including over 500 hosted buyers.

“One of our main goals since rebranding IFFS last year was to deliver a show experience that’s more fulfilling than the last,” stated Mr Ernie Koh, Chairman of IFFS Pte Ltd. “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.”

Redefining the Show Experience

This year, IFFS is redefining the show experience for its participants by presenting quality content in novel ways. For the first time ever, IFFS partners Dimension 5 Technologies (D5T), a Singapore-based start-up, to present Virtual Reality (VR) showrooms featuring furniture pieces from a select group of exhibitors – Commune, Danovel, Resource Decor, and Sam & Sara.

The move to digitise part of the fair is in line with changing trade show modes, as well as the furniture industry’s evolving retail methods. Increasingly, businesses are seeking to integrate digital technologies to various aspects of its operations, and IFFS echoes the shift away from conventional ways of product presentation. Visitors can look forward to immersing themselves in the VR experience at The Piazza Hall (Hall 4) and also in the respective exhibitors’ booths.

Debut of NOOK Asia

Last year, NOOK Asia rebranded to focus on artisanal crafts from around the world, providing attendees with more interior and lifestyle product options. As expected, the co-located event performed well in the lead up to its debut, attracting 179 companies to participate – whether asindependent exhibitors or as part of business missions under pavilions.

Meeting Business & Design Needs

To set itself apart as one of Asia’s most distinctive channels for global market penetration, IFFS presents a winning combination of new and favourite features this year. Trade visitors with specific sourcing needs can make use of the various dedicated attractions, including the EU Business Avenues in South East Asia Pavilion, 12 Country Pavilions, Upholstery Pavilion, and The Outdoor Boulevard.

Apart from creating more business opportunities for its participants, the show also seeks to strike a balance by addressing the industry’s demands for inspiration, through providing a design-rich environment. Attendees can look forward to novel experiences at The White House by Nathan Yong;The Italian Hospitality by Giulio Cappellini; Design STARS Showcase featuring 10 up-and-coming global design talents; Furniture Design Award 2017 Showcase highlighting 11 finalists’ pieces; and the 12 complimentary Design ´Business Seminars.

Koh concludes, “With the strong line-up of events at IFFS, we’re confident that each participant will take with them sufficient ‘doses’ of whatever they need from an industry event – whether it’s to gain more business contacts, new knowledge and insights, glean the latest trends, or to obtain fresh inspiration.”

IFFS 2017 runs from 9 – 12 March in Singapore EXPO.

About the International Furniture Fair Singapore

The International Furniture Fair Singapore (IFFS), held in conjunction with co-located events - the ASEAN Furniture Show (AFS) and the newly rebranded NOOK Asia - is regarded by industry experts as Asia’s premier sourcing platform and design-led exhibition. With over three decades of experience since its inaugural event in 1981, IFFS remains the most distinctive channel for regional and international companies to penetrate the global market.

Together, the events – IFFS, AFS and NOOK Asia – will feature a comprehensive range of furniture,furnishing, decorative accessories, interiors and fittings by a diverse portfolio of quality exhibitors,and attract a healthy and well-represented attendance of trade buyers and visitors from the entire furniture ecosystem and value chain.

To make it a holistic trade event, the various design initiatives – SingaPlural, Design STARS, Furniture Design Award, and Design Seminars – offer added depth and dimension to this Singapore-anchored trade event, raising its profile as a show not-to-be-missed in the industry calendar.

IFFS is supported by the ASEAN Furniture Industries Council (AFIC), DesignSingapore Council,International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau and SPRING Singapore.

(Source:www.IFFS.com.sg)