International Hospitality Furniture Expo 2007 meets expected demand for high-end hospitality furnishings in the region

Held from 3rd to 5th September at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre, IHFEX 2007 featured 18 leading furniture makers and interior fit out specialists from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. In addition, high profile contract manufacturers from Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Indonesia also showcased their latest designs during the exhibition.

According to Mr Tony Chan, Project Director, IHFEX 2007, 'We are pleased that the inaugural IHFEX 2007 had achieved success, attracting some 300 buyers from the GCC, with exhibitors responding that the event was a small yet targeted platform for their products and services.'

One of the exhibitors, Mr Andrew Ng, Managing Director, Getz Bros. & Co. (S) Pte Ltd, said, 'For an inaugural show, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the buyers who visited the show. The feedback I had from some of these buyers was that they felt the show could be very useful for them, as it is the only trade show in the region dedicated to hospitality furniture contract manufacturing. I am convinced that the next edition of the show will be much improved in terms of the size of the show, the contents, and the visitor attendance.'

Another exhibitor, Mr. Chesley Masias, Managing Director, Classique Furnishings Pte Ltd, commented, 'Our products are unique and specially designed to cater to this niche market segment. We have some very positive projects and retail leads to follow up after the show. Although the exhibition was small in size, it's the quality as opposed to quantity of buyers that was important and I am confident that the future shows will be better received.'

Catering to the hospitality industry, an interesting array of exquisite furniture pieces and accessories were displayed, which included bedding and bathroom amenities, closets and woodworks, fabrics and carpets, tile and flooring coverings, lightings and fixtures, as well as winning products of the Furniture Design Award, which was organised by the Singapore Furniture Industries Council.

The Organisers also hosted 35 buyers from KSA, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait and Oman. A profile breakdown revealed that this niche event attracted high-level decision makers who were property owners, developers, architects and interior designers.

One of the more prominent buyers at the show, Mr. Anthony Ow, General Manager-Gulf Region, Ascott International Management, Dubai, said, 'We are the largest global serviced residence operator in Asia Pacific, Europe and the Gulf Region and have ambitious plans in the MENA region. The quality and standards of products and services offered at the recent IHFEX fits very well with the expectation level of the group.'

According to another buyer present during IHFEX 2007, Mr. Vahe Tutunjian, Architect & Managing Director, Bin Ghanim Consulting, Qatar, 'Having attended various shows in this region, it was refreshing to see new exhibitors with such high-end quality products and services. I will consider furnishing my upcoming projects with these products.'

IHFEX 2007 was jointly organised by Singapore-based MP Congress & Exhibitions Pte Ltd and International Furniture Fair Singapore Pte Ltd (IFFS). It was endorsed by the Bahrain Ministry of Industry and Commerce and supported by the Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority and the Singapore Furniture Industries Council.