Feria Habitat Valencia, Cevisama, Fimma and Maderalia, the four exhibitions that were held last week together under the 'See You in Valencia 2014' initiative, have exceeded expectations with a high level of business, a strong international component and a prominent influx of buyers. Feelings among the exhibitors are very positive.
At ceramics event Cevisama, exhibitors argued that the influx of international professionals had been far superior to previous editions, but there was also some emphasis on the fact that the show is beginning to do business in the domestic market, and exhibitors are hopeful that this year marks the cycle change.
"Cevisama has begun to sell in the domestic market, and that has not happened for years," says commercial director of Vives, Juan Ramón Ruipérez. A similar feeling was clear from Natucer, which stated that the domestic buyer is "starting to lose their fear."
Meanwhile, Feria Habitat Valencia closed its 50th anniversary edition with optimism and confidence in the future. The configuration of the event as a selection of premium brands strongly oriented towards internationalisation and the contract segment (comprehensive equipment for authorities) and the synergies generated with Cevisama and Fimma Maderalia have made this edition – according to many exhibitors – the best of the latest editions.
"Without a doubt, Habitat has shown a cyclical change," says Emilio Revert, from the Contradictions high decoration firm. "The premium bet of the exhibition is very successful as customers themselves admit. We have seen a steady shift of both Cevisama visitors towards Habitat and vice versa. Buyers with so much purchasing power in North Africa, Russia and Latin America especially were present."
Marta Alacreu, export manager for Inclass cutting edge design firm, says: "The wisdom of the new orientation of Feria Habitat Valencia was clear. We needed this fresh approach for the exhibitors, the rejuvination of the fair itself and the sector in general. Great opportunities are offered to a visitor who initially came to see ceramics and found furniture, lighting and textiles. Many architects have traveled to Valencia for building materials but have also taken note of other interior elements. In only one trip they have virtually done all the project work, and that's very interesting."
The large influx of both domestic and international buyers has also been the largest value that exhibitors at both Fimma and Maderalia – which specialise in wood and furniture industry supply – have noticed.
The new formula to hold Fimma-Maderalia, Cevisama and Habitat Valencia simultaneously has been met with success by enabling sharing customers and making the advancing of all new trends available to all participants that present currently within each of the sectors represented at the exhibitions.
Sara Gil, head of marketing for the firm Faus Group, says: "Historically we have always been present at Maderalia but in recent years we had stopped. We had come without really knowing what we would find, and the truth is that they have far exceeded our expectations. We believe that the domestic market has regained confidence and so have many local professionals who have visited us. Stores have been very excited and betting heavily on the quality product."
For Francisco Luna, CEO of Biesse Ibérica, the most significant aspect of the current edition of Fimma has been the large number of international clients, mainly from North African and South American countries such as Peru, Ecuador and Brazil. He says: "We believe the key to success has been the parallel holding of Cevisama because this sample has great power to attract foreign buyers. Matching the supply of the four exhibitions is without a doubt the ideal system to save a current crisis situation."
Both exhibitors of Fimma and Maderalia have talked business and closing orders during the course of the salons.
The intense week of design, architecture and interior design around 'See You in Valencia 2014' has also been successfully held. Along with the celebration at Feria Valencia of the Cevisama, Feria Habitat Valencia, Fimma and Maderalia exhibitions, various spaces in the city spaces have hosted exhibitions these days with a common denominator – the large influx of visitors and design lovers.
Many of them will remain open for a few more days or even weeks to give more opportunity for the public to learn more about the design and its relationship to current society. This is the case for the 'Xl/xs Designed by Architects' sample which will be open in the Espai La Cambra of La Rambleta until the 12th of March. Similarly, the built in Valencia Design Week 'From Valencia with Design' exhibition will remain open at the Museum of Fine Arts Sant Pius V until the 25th of February.
Finally, the 'Come Casa' initiative was the first to open on the 6th of February at Las Naves and will be the last to close on April 23rd.
