Enthusiastically tackle every edition as if it were the first. This is precisely the secret of the success of CIFF, which having just completed the 2 phases of CIFF Guangzhou (18-21 March and 28-31 March) can be proud of new growth records.

There was such a great demand to exhibit that, for the first time in the history of the fair, the organisers were forced to use an adjacent building, the Poly World Trade Centre Expo. The total space therefore increased from 680,000 square metres to 750,000 square metres. There were 3,868 exhibiting companies, who greeted 168,881 furnishing sector professionals, 9% more than in the previous edition in March: figures that leave no doubt regarding the results achieved. Foreign exhibitors also increased 50%, occupying a total surface area of 90,000 square metres.

But this was not all. More than 45 thematic forums were held under this roof, in order to discuss the latest trends in “intelligent furniture, customisation and internet”; because in addition to numbers, for CIFF it is increasingly important to provide opportunities for reflection and to trace out future scenarios. The 37th edition of CIFF focussed particularly on the concept of “smart furniture”, in view of the increasing demand for interaction between technology and furniture, for the home, garden office or hotel. Another important issue was that of customisable furniture: a strongly-growing trend to which the fair organisers attached importance, creating special areas in each sector of the fair.

The 37th edition of CIFF will also be remembered for an important announcement. In fact, the opening ceremony provided the perfect stage for Mr. Tom Conley, President and CEO of High Point Market, the largest furniture market and permanent business platform in North America, to officially announce the new strategic alliance with CIFF, creating strong synergy between two global giants in the furniture sector.

But let’s think ahead!
The next edition of CIFF will be held from 7 to 10 September in Shanghai Hongqiao, occupying more than 400,000 square metres of the brand new National Convention & Exhibition Center (Shanghai). A large number of international exhibitors will enliven this edition, emphasising CIFF’s desire to open up evermore in terms of internationalisation, which is the reason why the organisers moved the September edition to the China’s most dynamic and international city: Shanghai.

A large area will be dedicated to the second edition of the wonderful East Design Salon event and to the Office Life Theme Pavilion. These two exhibitions are essential in order to enjoy Chinese design and to understand developments in home and office furniture. CIFF Shanghai will provide visitors with a full range of products, from furniture for the home, office, hotels and commercial structures, outdoor furniture, accessories, furnishing textiles, and materials and machinery for the furniture industry.

The new services
Many new services have been added in order to provide an ever-increasing level of quality. No fewer than 300,000 selected buyers will be invited directly by the organisers. 1,100 media operators will visit China and the CIFF world. 200 visitors delegation will be involved in inviting figures who play key roles in the sector, as designers, agents and real estate professionals.

From this specific edition CIFF will offer hotel hospitality to high-quality buyers recommended by top exhibitors. In addition to this, much has been done to optimise the internal signposting of the new fair district, and, from June, the NECC services centre inside the fair district will be in operation. A focal point for services, hotels and restaurants, which will allow visitors to take refreshments and to find everything that they might need. CIFF, China International Furniture Fair (Guangzhou + Shanghai) is a mega event, 1.15 million square meters, and a lot more!