FRESH from their participation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) International Furniture and Furnishings Show 2021 two weeks ago, seven producers from Negros Occidental were again invited to exhibit at the ongoing 2nd Virtual Philippine International Construction Equipment, Building Materials, Interior and Exterior Products Exhibition and Technology Forum (Philconstruct) Show VX 2021.
These are Artisana Island Crafts, Bevz Handicraft, Creative Definitions, Golden Arts and Furnishings, Tumandok Craft Industries, Yssa’s Handicraft Manufacturing and Hacienda Crafts Company.
The trade show that started yesterday and will run until March 30 is organized to serve the needs of the construction and interior design sectors of the country.
The seven-day event highlights architecture, interior design and construction collaboration.
Mary Ann Colmenares, chair of the Negros Occidental Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council, said they are grateful for the opportunities that enable local producers to participate in the virtual trade shows that have, for the moment, replaced long-running physical shows.
Colmenares, who is also an exhibitor representing Artisana Island Crafts, said these shows have been bringing together the players along the supply chain of the construction, architecture and interior design sectors in the country.
"I am proud to share to the public that during the recent Asean International Furniture and Furnishings Show, the Association of Negros Producers (ANP) booth was top three in terms of visitor traffic and inquiries," she told SunStar Bacolod.
The seven MSMEs are members of the ANP, where Colmenares also serves as the vice president for advocacy.
The Asean International Furniture and Furnishings Show 2021 held last March 9 to 18 was a trade event organized by the Asean Furniture Council and hosted by the Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines.
It allowed participants to see great designs, interact with top designers and manufacturers via chat, video call, schedule a meeting, exchange photos and brochures, as well attend virtual conferences at the comfort of their home or office.
The Philippines was one of the eight countries represented to bring local products to the global market through a digital platform.
Christina Gaston, of Hacienda Crafts Company, said the event being an Asean show provides them with greater opportunities to sell to other markets.
Gaston, who also chairs the ANP, said there's also an opportunity to learn from others through the conferences.
"As entrepreneurs, we must learn to navigate and take advantage of new digital tools and platforms available to us," she said, adding that "it is important for us to tell our brand story so that potential buyers can interact with us directly."