The Department of International Trade Promotion under the Ministry of Commerce, together with the Thai Furniture Industries Association (TFA) and the Thai Furniture Industry Club (TFIC) of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), are planning to make TIFF 2014 one of the grandest furniture exhibitions ever staged in Thailand. Scheduled to be held at Challenger 2 and Challenger 3, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, from 12-16th March 2014, the event will unfold as a fascinating showcase of the best in furniture design and innovation Thailand has to offer, from over 200 top furniture makers manning a total of 750 booths. TIFF 2014 expects to attract over 20,000 Thai and international visitors, generating over 550 Million Baht in sales.
Mrs Duangkamol Jiambutr, deputy director-general of the Department of International Trade (DITP), revealed that: “The market value of Thailand’s exported furniture and parts was worth $1237.81m in 2013, an 8.34% growth over the same figure in 2012. Top five export markets in terms of growth were Russia (210.92%), Vietnam (77.42%), Myanmar (50.59%), Malaysia (38.35%) and South Africa (36.18%). For 2014, we expect market value to grow to reach the level of $1300m.”
“Despite ongoing political uncertainty not yet resolved, the organisers of TIFF 2014 are confident of the event potential and are determined to proceed it as originally planned. Currently, approximately 600 visitors from overseas have already registered for the event and the organisers are making proactive moves to invite and attract more visitors to offset some visitors who may not wish to visit the event due to the unrest. We are making extra efforts to invite potential buyers from ASEAN countries. They can travel to Thailand by a pleasant short flight and do not require a lot of time to plan their trips, unlike visitors from Europe or other remote countries. These ASEAN buyers can even plan a one-day trip to the event and fly home on the same day. Myanmar, in particular, is an important emerging new market because the country is anticipated to have numerous new luxury hotels coming up very soon and they would be high-potential customers interested in what TIFF 2014 has to offer.”
“TIFF 2014 is expected to attract over 20,000 Thai and international visitors in the course of five days. Of these, 4500 customers would visit during the trade days, and another 15,500 people would come on retail days. We are targeting total sales worth 520m Baht during trade days – 60m Baht of which would be immediately acknowledged while another 460m Baht would be realized over the course of one year. Another 30m Baht in sales is expected to be generated during retail days. We believe that TIFF 2014 will contribute significantly to helping the Thai furniture industry achieve its goals and taking it to even greater success in 2014,” added Mrs Duangkamol.
Organized under the concept of ‘Inspired Living from the Heart of ASEAN’, TIFF 2014 will demonstrate the potential of Thailand as the future hub of the ASEAN furniture industry. The trade days are from 12th–14th March (10.00–18.00), whilst the public days are 15th and 16th March (10.00–21.00).
Apart from showcasing design and production capabilities of Thai furniture makers, TIFF aims to provide a platform for manufacturers, entrepreneurs, designers, as well as, operators of related businesses such as furniture parts supply, machinery supply and interior décor materials to meet and establish partnerships for success.
“Everyone should find TIFF a striking event in terms of the featured designs. It is the perfect opportunity for professionals in related businesses to engage in negotiations and witness the progress of the Thai furniture industry in terms of design and raw material diversity. Leading Thai furniture makers will be joined by counterparts from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Taiwan, Korea, Canada and the European Union. Among visitors will be many procurement executives from high-potential projects such as hotels, resorts, condominiums and hospitals.
"International visitors are expected from countries including Japan, the United States, the European Union, India, the Middle East, Africa, Canada, Austria and ASEAN. Moreover, the Bangkok International Furniture Fair & Bangkok International Leather Fair 2014 or BIFF & BIL 2014 will be held simultaneously as TIFF 2014 in the adjacent venue of Challenger 1 and Challenger 2 of IMPACT Muang Thong Thani. We believe the combination of these two grand events will help attract many visitors,” says Mrs Duangkamol.
“One of the unique selling points of annual TIFF events is that exhibitors at this event are willing to serve even small or specialised orders. Exhibitors can fulfill an order as small as one piece and are open to receive specific orders to satisfy customer requests. Show visitors can look for the ‘SOOK’ or ‘Small Order OK’ logo at the booths of such exhibitors.”
Highlights of TIFF 2014 include the following:
• SMEs New Wave Furniture Exporters 2014 – this program is designed specifically to highlight the furniture products of small-to-medium furniture business operators who possess great potential but have not exported their products to overseas markets before.
• I+D Innovation Plus Design Style Café, a special exhibition featuring environmentally-friendly furniture designs and innovations
• Products for Seniors, a special zone dedicated to furniture items and products specially designed for the elderly
• Demark 2013, a showcase of award-winning furniture designs and home-decorative items
• Upcycling, an exhibition dedicated to the value enhancement of seemingly waste materials by converting them into creatively designed products of greater value
• Thailand Trust Mark, a special zone for furniture items which have earned the prestigious ‘Thailand Trust Mark’ – a symbol of quality and global trust
• Young Designer Showcase
• Design Plant, an exhibition of distinctively designed furniture items created through collaboration between top designers and furniture makers.
