THE Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF), South-East Asia’s largest annual industry trade show, returns from March 8 to 11 next year and exhibitors taking part will enjoy exclusive privileges for the bigger 2018 show at the new Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC).

The 2017 fair will be held again at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) and Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC), marking the 23rd year of MIFF in business and continued growth as the region’s most prominent global furniture sourcing centre for buying professionals from 140 countries and regions.

Highlights of MIFF 2017 include the designation of its office furniture segment as “MIFF Office” to underline its status as the largest one-stop showroom for office furniture in the region, according to show organiser, UBM Malaysia.

In 2018, MIFF will be 25% bigger to 100,000 sq m with MITEC as a co-venue with PWTC.

Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation chief executive officer Datuk Dzulkifli Mahmud (pic) welcomes MIFF’s expansion.

“MIFF is the longest serving international furniture fair and recognised as the largest furniture- related industry event in the region.

“The MIFF brand has become synonymous with international buyers to Malaysia.

“MIFF has been taking place at PWTC, and for over a decade also at the current indoor and outdoor MATRADE venue.

“We look forward to MIFF 2018 expanding further by occupying the exhibition space at MITEC as soon as the new venue is ready,” he said.

MIFF general manager Karen Goi said with MITEC, the show would finally be able to offer larger booth space and even better facilities to exhibitors and visitors in 2018.

“As gratitude for their continued support, exhibitors taking part in 2017 stand to receive priority in selecting their location and special booth package in MITEC in 2018.

“Our hard work to make the show even better every year is rewarded by the high 80% rate of returning exhibitors and very good number of first-time buyers.”

MIFF achieved record sales of US$908mil (RM3.69bil) this year with 500 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions, and a turnout of nearly 20,000 trade visitors.

The show was also the launch platform for the UBM-Alibaba B2B strategic alliance to start a new generation of O2O (online-to-offline) trade experience for global furniture buyers.

Booking of exhibition space and more information on MIFF are available on www.miff.com.my