Friday, January 09, 2009 Furniture exhibitors undeterred by rate hike, sign up for Cebu X
INCREASED exhibit rates did not deter furniture and furnishing manufacturers in Cebu to participate in this year’s Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition (Cebu X), which is set to open in March.
At present, there are already 45 companies that confirmed participation while 11 more have already reserved exhibit space for the event slated on March 5 to 8.
Although this figure is only more than half to last year’s 83 participants, there are companies that have registered for two to four booths, said Cebu X marketing head Cheryl Judilla.
Data from the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation (CFIF) showed that occupancy rate for Cebu X 2009 is already at 65 percent, excluding reserved spaces.
Last year, CFIF noted a 17-percent drop in the number of exhibitors compared to 2007 since the industry experienced a setback caused by the strengthening of the peso against the dollar.
Judilla, in a phone interview with Sun.Star Cebu yesterday, said the organizers hope to achieve a hundred percent occupancy.
A total of 119 booths will be set up for the event, which will be held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. Registration for the Cebu X exhibit is still ongoing.
Cebu X 2009 chairman Allan Murillo earlier said organizers are still “hitting targets.”
Murillo also defended the five-percent increase in exhibit rates imposed by CFIF.
“The increase of exhibit rates is needed,” he said. He added that CFIF received more inquiries about the exhibit this year.
During the launch of Cebu X 2009 in July last year, the CFIF said exhibit rates had to be increased since the foundation anticipates fewer sponsors this year.
Meanwhile, there are already 153 pre-registered buyers coming from the international market, Judilla said.
Forty-three student designers from four different schools will join the event.
CFIF will give more awards per category. A search for the best design for the trophy to be given to this year’s Mugna awardees will also be conducted. The search will be open to professional and non-professional designers. (DME)
