SEPTEMBER
2023
MIFF 2024
by top brands from the Furniture City of Malaysia; MIFF Office, which presents the largest collection of office furnishing in the region, as well as the International Hall. “We are working on getting more local and
The Real Big Comeback
international manufacturers from different product types to join MIFF 2024, as well as engaging new buyers from different continents to visit the fair to provide
by Tan Sher Lynn
The largest furniture trade fair of the region is back in full force! Read on for insights into the furniture market pre- and postpandemic, and how the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) plays a pivotal role in shaping the furniture industry.
our exhibitors with more opportunities,”
! Watch
explained Ms. Lye.
MIFF Video
An integral part of the event will be the Young Designer Award at the MIFF Furniture Design Competition, a laudable community service rendering (CSR) initiative aimed at fostering emerging
A Record-Breaking Recovery
that surpasses even the remarkable
it is important for them to create more
creative talent. Coinciding with MIFF’s
achievements of MIFF 2023. She
business opportunities. With this, our team
momentous 30th anniversary, the
anticipates this success due to the fact
is striving to provide value added services
competition’s theme has been ingeniously
As the world gradually emerged from the
that during MIFF 2023, certain countries,
and experience to our clients in MIFF
coined as “Chair-Volution”, encapsulating
pandemic, MIFF 2023, held on 1-4 March,
including the Middle East, Africa, Europe,
2024,” Ms. Lye added.
the transformative impact that MIFF
roared back as a record-breaking show,
Latin America and China, still grappled with lingering travel restrictions and challenges,
visitors from 136 countries (with 40% of
preventing a full representation of buyers
What to Expect with MIFF 2024
has exerted on the furniture industry
having garnered 673 exhibitors, 19,275 them being new visitors) and generated
from attending the exhibition. With these
With record-breaking numbers of exhibitors
MIFF’s 30-Year Journey
US$1.21 billion in export sales, according to
obstacles set to diminish, the stage is set
and buyers expected, MIFF 2024 will
According to Ms. Lim, MIFF’s commitment
Ms. Kelie Lim, MIFF General Manager.
for MIFF 2024 to shine even brighter.
take place across two venues — Malaysia
has always been to deliver a world-class
International Trade and Exhibition Centre
international trade show to exhibitors and
“Year 2023 marked a strong recovery for
“Hence, we are looking forward to 2024
(MITEC), Malaysia’s largest convention and
visitors alike, and provide them with the
us post-pandemic, with the majority of
which will be the ‘real’ recovery of global
exhibition space; and World Trade Centre
best experience possible.
exhibitors from Malaysia and around 30%
buyers attendance,” she remarked.
KL (WTCKL), which is formerly known as
international participants mainly from
the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC).
throughout its three-decade journey.
In its earlier years, the MIFF exhibition
China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and other Asian
MIFF’s Senior Sales Manager Sandra Lye
countries,” she said.
agreed. “The Malaysia furniture industry
“There will be a total of 16 halls to host
pursuits; however, a noteworthy
experienced a significant sales drop after
different exhibit product segments of
transformation has transpired over
“Because of the pandemic, we weren’t able
the pandemic due to lockdowns, supply
exhibitors in the show,” Ms. Lim said.
time, centering the event on design and
to hold a physical exhibition for two years.
chain disruptions, and reduced consumer
The whole supply chain was affected and
spending. Many businesses faced
MIFF 2024 will feature various international
in contemporary society. This shift is
buyers were unable to travel and source
challenges in production, distribution, and
group participation including China, Taiwan
conspicuously underscored by MIFF’s
out. Hence, when MIFF reopened in 2023,
attracting new customers.”
and Korea, and new exhibitors from other
endeavours to cultivate emerging design
countries like Vietnam, Turkey, Singapore,
prodigies, a testament to its evolution.
many exhibitors felt that it was time to
primarily revolved around business
lifestyle – themes that resonate profoundly
reconnect with buyers and buyers were
“Post-pandemic, we noticed that there
Thailand and Indonesia, among others.
Moreover, Ms. Lim pointed out that within
also desperate to source for products after
are a lot more retailers who visited the
There will be the usual favourites like the
their clientele, the torchbearers of the
a long hiatus,” Ms. Lim explained.
fair to do sourcing themselves instead
DesignRena Hall, which houses popular and
second generation, who have assumed
of depending on agents to do it for them
established Malaysian manufacturers with
leadership roles within family enterprises,
Turning her gaze towards MIFF 2024, Ms.
like before. And exhibitors are eagerly
an emphasis on design and branding; Muar
have gravitated towards a more design-
Lim envisions a record-breaking event
anticipating the resurgence of shows, as
Hall, which features the hottest offerings
centric ethos.
SEPTEMBER 2023
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