A new show promises to provide opportunities for Australian, New Zealand and other buyers from the Oceania region to better navigate the international furniture supplier market and connect directly with international furniture manufacturers.

To be held from 12-14th July 2018 at the new International Convention Centre, Sydney, the inaugural International Furniture Show Australia (IFSA) will occupy more than 10,000 sqm of gross floor space, with over 300 global exhibitors offering bedroom, dining, living room, home office, commercial, outdoor products and more.

The show is expected to draw approximately 3000 qualified national and regional trade buyers, comprising importers, sourcing agents, wholesalers, speciality retailers, institutional buyers, interior designers and architects.

Marie Kinsella, CEO of event organiser International Exhibition and Conference Group (IEC Group) says: “IEC Group is excited to be launching IFSA. From my experience in managing furniture shows as well as developing other international trade shows, I believe there is a major opportunity for international manufacturers and suppliers,especially for China furniture factory&manufacturers to use the show to penetrate the Australasia region and expand their business footprint.”

With an array of interactive features and a strong learning focus, IFSA will host seminar presentations, showcase forums, networking events and the new IEC Business Connections programmes.

The show will be co-located with Global Gift & Home, a trade platform offering giftware and home interior items.

According to an IEC Group statement, IFSA will offer a premier platform for trade buying and global sourcing in furniture and furnishing: "The furniture demand in Australia is increasingly met by imports, with a larger share of furniture now sourced directly by local retail groups thereby bypassing traditional wholesalers to minimise costs and improve competitiveness. The ease of doing business in Australia and the appreciation of the Australian dollar has been advantageous for Australian buyers.

"Australia’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with countries including China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and ASEAN (covering Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam), all key manufacturing hubs for furniture and home furnishings, have also positioned them as ideal sourcing partners."