It's almost showtime in Singapore, Indesign's Paul McGillick looks at what makes IFFS an increasingly important event on the globe's annual design calendar

Inaugurated in 1981, the International Furniture Fair Singapore held each year at the Singapore Expo has consistently grown both in terms of the number of participating companies and visitor numbers.

Now, as the 30^th edition of the IFFS and ASEAN Furniture Show gears up – it runs March 9-12, 2013 – its continued growth belies the sluggish world economy.

One thing it does show is the ongoing shift from Europe to Asia as the hub of the world furniture business. There is now a host of furniture fairs throughout Asia reflecting that shift, but IFFS still leads the pack.

This is because it has been consistently innovative in its approach. Its ambition is to be a design-led furniture and furnishings platform and every year reveals a higher level of quality, a broader range of product, a wider net of exhibitors and an increasingly rich array of support events.

The IFFS is actually a trilogy of shows – the IFFS/AFS itself, the Décor show and the Hospitality show, offering a comprehensive overview of domestic and commercial product.

Fleshing out the core exhibition is a rich programme of support events and exhibitions. Literally at the heart of the show are D’Space, PLATFORM and the Furniture Design Award occupying a central designed space and showcasing local and international design talent, including emerging designers.

Also co-located is Hospitality.Design.Furniture CONVERGE Asia, a conference featuring invited experts to debate current trends.

Finally, the IFFS in 2012 went off-site for the first time with SingaPlural, a satellite programme of exhibitions and installations throughout the city featuring Singaporean talent and providing the final piece in the integrated event which IFFS has now become.

  

International Furniture Fair Singapore

iffs.com.sg