Marking the significant milestone of 30 years in the global furniture trade, and fresh from its strongest-ever growth, the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) is set to return from 1st-4th March.
The upcoming edition promises to usher in a new chapter for the show, which has risen from humble beginnings to be a globally recognised event.
MIFF has grown exponentially to become the largest furniture show in South-east Asia, attracting buyers from some 140 countries and regions. With another sell-out show approaching, spanning a combined 100,000m2 of two of Kuala Lumpur’s biggest exhibition spaces – Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC), and World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) – the momentum for visitor and business growth has never been stronger, says MIFF’s organiser.
The 30th anniversary edition follows MIFF’s best performance yet, with a peak of 673 exhibitors and a record US$1.21b in sales orders in 2023, when the event attracted close to 20,000 attendees (26% of that international participation, from 136 countries and regions).
Over 650 local and international exhibitors will be present in 2024, with a wide range of the latest trends, designs and products from diverse furniture sectors. The trade floor will be anchored by an array of Malaysia’s biggest exporters, joined by suppliers from China, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.
Major Malaysian names confirmed include Ecomate, Wegmans, Poh Huat, Favourite Design, WA Furniture, Sin Wee Seng Industries, Ivorie, Isella Sofa, LB Furniture, Merryfair Chair, Oasis Furniture, Kinheng Furniture, Seow Buck Sen and Luxury Sleep.
“Interest in MIFF has surged after the Covid pandemic, which impacted supply chains,” says Kelie Lim, MIFF’s GM. “The industry is looking at MIFF as a resilient source to future-proof their business.
“This year, there were many high-purchasing buyers. We are confident that 2024 will further cement MIFF’s position as the preferred sourcing destination for global furniture businesses. The overwhelming response from exhibitors taking up space, noticeably from foreign companies, is another clear positive indicator of the strong buying power converging at MIFF. We are ready to welcome the world back.”
The anniversary festivities begin this month, with a gala dinner to recognise loyal exhibitors and the support of key stakeholders and the Malaysian furniture industry.
With more first-timers visiting the show (40% in 2023), MIFF has extended its Valued Visitor Programme to include complimentary hotel accommodation for new international buyers, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Over the years, MIFF has become a go-to show for retailers seeking to stock up at the start of the Asian buying season, and to source from the latest and largest collections – of wooden furniture from Malaysia, and office furniture from South-east Asia.
The well-segmented displays, across 17 halls at the two venues, are set to enhance the procurement experience, with an extensive choice of contemporary home furnishings, office and hospitality furniture, in addition to accessories, decor, components and materials.
The ‘1 Fair, 2 Venues’ concept will see top Malaysian manufacturers display in MITEC, at the designRena Hall on level 2, and in the Muar Hall co-ordinated by the Muar Furniture Association (MFA), a strategic partner of MIFF, on level 1. The MIFF Office segment will be located at WTCKL, a short shuttle ride from MITEC.
Other areas curated to ensure easy navigation include the International Hall, Sofa Hall, and the young designer zone, for the xOrdinary showcase and MIFF Furniture Design Competition (FDC) top entries – while two international juries will be touring the show floor to scout for eye-catching creative displays and innovative furniture to pick the winners of the two exhibitor prizes.
