This year’s 2016 Furnishing in Focus Exhibition concluded on a high note with a unanimous feeling from exhibitors that Australia’s Furniture Industry is now proudly back on the map and they’re happy about it.

Trade only visitors equally impressed with its increased size (6,000 square mts), all under one roof in arguably Australia’s premium Exhibition environment at the centrally located Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre.

The variety of product on offer from 65 Australian furniture makers and furnishing companies was further enhanced by craftsmen made timber products from leading manufacturers who proudly showcased the uniqueness of our country’s natural timber resources.
And a new highlight for 2016 was the welcome arrival of Australia’s leading fabric and leather suppliers to support Warwick Fabric’s original initiative and to offer a full variety of decorative cover options for exhibitors.

Over the two day period, Furnishing in Focus welcomed nearly 600 trade only visitors from the retail, interior design and commercial furnishing sectors.

Requests for display spaces were coming in straight after the show, which means that next year has the potential to grow further in size. But the emphasis in 2017 will be on quality not quantity.

“We don’t want to make the mistake of past experiences with other shows that basically ‘sold out’ to Importer exhibitors and which alienated Australian manufacturers,” said FIF spokesman John Mackinnon.

And it seems that the big PLUS for Furnishing in Focus also hinges on its affordability for Australian manufacturers, with display spaces costing anywhere from half to a third of comparable shows and all under one roof.

“We have now confirmed our intention to exhibit in 2017 and right up to 2020 and beyond, John went on to say. “Our intentions are for the common good of the Australian furnishing industry, by which gesture we hope all Australian makers will offer a rousing challenge to imported products.”

The dates for the 2017 show are 4 to 5 May 2017.  Manufacturers wishing to exhibit can book display space on-line at www.furnishinginfocus.com. Intending trade visitors can now also pre-register on-line.