Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF), the leading industry event in Southeast Asia, announced details of its expansion in 2018 including a new tagline “Design Connects People” to deliver a brand new experience to exhibitors and buyers, on the press conference of MIFF 2017 show on 9 March at Kuala Lumpur.

The organiser is planning for a larger exhibition in 2018, to cater for a bigger crowd as it moves to a new location. This year’s MIFF is held simultaneously at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) and Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC), covering a total floor space of about 80,000 sq m.

MIFF 2018 taking place from Mar 8-11 will be 25% bigger, expanding to 100,000 square metres spanning two venues -- the new Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) and Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC). The new venue for 2018, MITEC is the first component of the 30ha KL Metropolis master development, is the country’s largest exhibition space. The expanded fair can accommodate over 600 exhibitors and allocate bigger booths.

 “The expansion will enable us to increase the product offerings under MIFF as well as provide more business opportunities going forward,” MIFF Chairman Datuk Dr TanChin Huat announced, adding that MIFF 2018 will also feature a new tagline “Design Connects People”.

“Design Connects People” demonstrates MIFF’s commitment to design and creativity in bringing exhibitors and buyers together, establish opportunities and build relationships within the industry.

“Our focus is on continued growth and building on what MIFF always delivered over the last 23 years. The exhibitors, especially the Malaysian companies, are now paying more attention to research and development.

 Platinum Award of MIFF Furniture Excellence Award 2017  

MIFF 2018 will also witness the launch of two new segments namely the MIFF Timber Mart and MIFF designRena. Timber Mart is targeted to a one-stop wood and wood-related material showcase and trading cum networking platform for global wood suppliers and buyers, designRena is a dedicated hall for Malaysia's best selected exhibitors to showcase their products and lifestyle built around the furniture. 

MIFF designRena is supported by a collaboration platform called FDC in Action, that links past winners of the MIFF Furniture Design Competition (FDC) with industry players on product innovation and presentation. The MIFF Furniture Design Competition (FDC) aims to offer a platform for young designers to demonstrate their talent and innovation, and to encourage more newcomers to join the furniture design industry.

Ms Karen Goi, MIFF General Manager, said exhibits at MITEC will include household furniture, sofa hall, furnishings and fittings, Muar Hall, MIFF Timber Mart and MIFF designRena.

PWTC will also have a large collection of household products such as dining and bedroom sets, MIFF Office, the largest showroom of office furniture in Southeast Asia, and as well as China Hall and Taiwan, China Hall.

This year, MIFF is projected to generate record sales of US$1bil, compared with US$908mil in 2016. To note, the 2017 MIFF has attracted a record 543 local and overseas exhibitors, a 12% increase over 2016.

Tan also said that MIFF hoped to attract more international exhibitors particularly from the West and Japan, especially following MIFF’s expansion next year.

（Source: JJGLE.COM & 2018.miff.com.my/）