The onset of autumn heralds one of Europe’s more popular events, the Brussels Furniture Fair. Offering the Belgian furniture industry and its neighbours a platform with international appeal, the show is both intimate and inspiring, and promises visitors ample opportunity to do business …
Brussels Furniture Fair is composed of various segments. City is the largest, arrayed across halls 3, 4 and 5, and offers contemporary furniture from leading Belgian, Dutch, German and Italian manufacturers. Square, in hall 3, offers simpler, more affordable designs, while Brussels by Night in hall 6 presents a good complement of beds, divans, matresses and bedding. There is also Hospitality World, featuring ready-made contract concepts for hotel rooms, guest houses, restaurants and apartments.
Fusion in hall 8 offers warm, on-trend styles such as industrial vintage, and decor ideal for creating an impact in-store, while Mozaïek presents affordable, fashionable collections in hall 9. Finally, there is Holland à la Carte in the Patio, which presents a strong selection of Dutch manufacturers.
The varied product offer is tied together by an inviting atmosphere, driven by bars stocked with free food and refreshments, offering a taster of the rich dining exeriences available in the city.
The Tuesday evening of the fair sees the presentation of the Balthazars, a series of awards which recognise the event’s leading exhibitors for their innovation or design – but those seeking inspiration beforehand will discover it across the exhibitors’ presentations, as well as through the trend showcases between each hall.
Following the theme of ‘Get in touch’, this year’s presentations explore how furniture can create opportunities for people to reconnect in a fast-moving world, and illustrating each point with exhibitors’ own products.
“We may be an international fair, we never forget that our roots lie with the Belgian furniture industry,” says general manager Lieven Van den Heede. “That’s why we pay it some extra attention in our Be Magazine, which features a preview of the new collections the Belgians will be showing at the fair. The magazine illustrates the resilience and creativity of the Belgian furniture sector.”
However, Lieven points out, an article is one thing, but seeing a piece of furniture in the flesh is quite another. “Our trend theme – Get in touch – not only indicates what people need to do nowadays, but is also the central function of a trade fair,” he says. “A fair means encounters, experiences, and chances to see and touch the newest collections.
“Trade fairs are here to facilitate encounters between manufacturers and buyers, and at Brussels Furniture Fair we aim to do that in an efficient manner, in a pleasant atmosphere, so every visit is truly rewarding.”
An interactive floor plan on the Brussels Furniture Fair website allows prospective visitors to plan their route, mark their favourite exhibitors and export them into a personalised list, making the considerably-sized fair easier to navigate by smartphone.
Brussels Furniture Fair returns to Brussels Expo from 4-7th November.
