Furniture show to draw 6K exhibitors

CEBU, Philippines - Most of the Cebu furniture makers and other 60 manufacturers in the country shall showcase the renowned Filipino craftsmanship in the upcoming 3rd Philippines International Furniture Show (PIFS) that is expected to draw more than 6,000 exhibitors from 66 countries in the world.

Christina Gaston, overall PIFS 2014 event chair, said that more than 85 percent of the Filipino exhibitors and international counterparts have booked for the expo.

She cited that most of the furniture makers who have confirmed for the show are coming from Cebu.

She said that this time, PIFS shall combine the smaller trade shows that different furniture associations in Cebu, Manila and Pampanga used to organize separately.

Now on its third year, PIFS 2014 is jointly organized by the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation, Inc. (CFIF), Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines (CFIP) - National and Pampanga Furniture Industries Foundation, Inc. (PFIF).

Taking place in the middle of the Asian spring buying circuit season of furniture shows, PIFS 2014 is set to take place from March 14 to 17 at the SMX Convention Center in Manila.

It shall feature local and international exhibitors showing their newest collections of furniture, lighting, architectural components, interior accessories, accent pieces, furnishings and furniture making technology.

Gaston pointed out that PIFS is poised to penetrate new distribution channels in both the local and international markets, promoting the Philippines as the new gateway for the world's furniture industry.

"PIFS is about relationship - who you are selling to and not just about what is being sold. The creativity and flair of the Filipino designers guarantees that this will be an important stop for local and international interior designers, specifiers and buying professionals, who are already in the region for the Asia Pacific shows," she said.

She further noted that local furniture makers are seen make a breakthrough in the industry through the trade show despite the challenges the sector faces including the deceleration of the world's major economies and the devastation caused by typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas region.

PIFS 2014 organizers also expect to attract more than 6 000 exhibitors from 66 countries including USA, Japan, Australia, France, Hong Kong, Singapore, United Kingdom, China, South Korea, and Netherlands to attend the trade show.

CFIP current national event chairman Duke Zuluaga said that PIFS 2014 shall pride itself with gathering both the Filipino and foreign top notch designers and manufacturers in one venue.

"The Philippines is no longer the sourcing destination of the special few. We have top notch designers, working with proven manufacturers, producing quality products at the right price. This is a serious proposition to buying professionals," he said.

PFIF event chairman Reggie Lastimoso added that they expect to record higher foot traffic this year especially from the domestic market.

He added that the buoyant investment in the country particularly in the construction and tourism sector has propelled domestic growth, causing a rippling effect to the furniture industry.

"The Philippines currently has one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia. We have recently seen upwardly revised GDP forecasts for 2013, to seven percent and for 2014 to 6.1 percent. At PIFS, we are expecting higher than ever attendance from our own designers and hospitality specifiers," he said. /JMD (FREEMAN)