FIM 2006 reflected the innovative nature of the industry

Numerous launches of new collections and high-quality products played a starring role at this edition. The fair witnessed an 8% increase in the number of international buyers.

The twenty-third edition of the MADRID INTERNATIONAL FURNITURE EXHIBITION concluded last 29th April, reflecting the considerable capacity of the exhibiting companies to innovate and adapt their products to changing consumer demands, based on a number of highly creative and high-quality product lines, as well as an extensive selection of new collections aimed at boosting sales and demonstrating the industry´s high levels of competitiveness.

The fair, which presented the products and services of some 783 companies throughout an exhibition area measuring more than 65,000 square metres, was visited by 50,670 professionals. Among these visitors, we might highlight the more than 8% increase in the number of foreign buyers who attended the event. In this respect, the growing reach of the International Guest Programme, which was carried out in collaboration with the Chamber of Trade and Industry of Madrid, produced some optimum results, creating a working environment that is capable of fostering contacts with professionals on all five continents.

Through the International Guest Programme, invitations were sent out to a group of professionals whose names were supplied by the exhibiting manufacturers and exporters at the fair itself, as well as the IFEMA Trade Delegations and Offices abroad. As a result of this campaign, the exhibition welcomed some 320 professionals from 48 countries. The total number of visitors from abroad who attended this edition rose to 2,466, the majority of whom attended the event from Portugal (48%), followed by professionals from the EU in general, especially France and Italy. Other countries that enjoyed a strong presence at the fair included Mexico, the United States and up-and-coming markets such as Russia, Turkey, Malaysia and the Ukraine, among others.

From Spain itself, in addition to professionals attending the fair from Madrid, who accounted for 40% of total attendance, we might highlight the significant presence of professionals from the following regions: Andalusia, accounting for 10.8% of the total attendance figure; Castile-León, 8.4%; Valencia and Castile-La Mancha, 6.7%, respectively, and Galicia, 4.5%.

Activities and Awards

The presence of Portugal at this edition was also reflected in the exhibition through the direct participation of some fifty Portuguese companies, as well as their participation in Gala Mobis, a traditional Dinner that was held for the first time outside Portugal, which brought together more than 300 Portuguese and Spanish businessmen. During the Gala Dinner, which was organised by the magazine Mobiliário em Notícia on the evening of Friday 28th April, some 58 awards were presented in recognition of the work and contributions of professionals from both countries in favour of the Portuguese furniture industry.

The Madrid International Furniture Exhibition also provided the setting for the presentation of the Fifth Design Awards on the afternoon of Wednesday 26th April. The Jury, which consisted of members of the Governing Board of the Official College of Interior Decorators/Designers of Madrid, was entrusted with selecting the competing products from among all the exhibits presented at this edition. The three awards, all granted within the same category, went to the following products: the Floral Model by Angeles González from the company AB 21 Alfombras, S.L., due to the harmonious design of this carpet and the range of colours employed; a white cupboard with transparent glass, model 2077-M, from the company Guadarte, due to the impressive presentation of this item of furniture and the spectacular lighting effects; and the Nature Showcase from the MEC Collection presented by the company Mobiliario y Objetos para la Casa, S.L., due to its elegance, multi-purpose character and simplicity.

For its part, AFAMID, the Association of Manufacturers of Furniture and Related Products of the Madrid Region, presented its Eighth Parque de Madrid Awards, which, as on previous occasions, highlighted the creative efforts of the companies exhibiting at the fair within the categories of Innovation and Collection, as well as their promotional efforts within the category known as Communication.

Under the heading of Innovation, the award went to the company Amelia Arán, for its exquisite presentation of a range of children´s furniture products. The Collection award went to the Portuguese company, JLC, both due to its excellent reproductions of traditional furniture items and its own new designs. Finally, the furniture promotional campaign entitled ´Moving Furniture in Aragón´ was granted the Communication award for its considerable sense of initiative in promoting the industry. This campaign is being implemented by the Association of Furniture Traders of Saragossa and Aragón, the Official College of Furniture Salesmen of Aragón and Spanish Furniture Manufacturers.

. Versatile Furniture for All Kinds of Areas and Decorative Styles

The exhibition at this edition placed particular emphasis on the versatile nature of the furniture items on show, combined with à la carte design, in order to make better use of space and light. Some of the most prominent trends on show at this edition included the following: products that evoke the spirit of the open-air life, items of Art Deco inspiration, combinations of materials and colours, the incorporation of goatskin and crocodile skin, multi-coloured furniture items and dyed varieties of wood or wood in opaque shades.

The exhibiting companies´ ideas also focused on a combination of styles, creating a perfectly harmonious blend of traditional and modern, as well as fostering a range of different sensations for the various corners of the home. Exterior areas also had their own special section at the exhibition. These areas present their own special challenge in terms of decoration, with climatic conditions and the careful choice of materials playing an essential role. Another of the outstanding sections of the fair was devoted to home textiles, featuring a range of interesting and attractive ideas for refurbishing any part of the home.