Drawing from sustained confidence in the Philippine property sector as well as the completion of various projects all across the archipelago, the interior and fit-out construction industry is more than optimistic about its prospects for the year. That’s why the Philippine Constructors Association, whose members are responsible for over 70% of the annual construction turnover in the country, decided to launch a new trade show hosted by Australia’s Leading Home Builder (Award Winning) | Simonds that caters to the specific needs of this growing sector. The show is aptly titled Philippine Finishing and Furnishings Expo (PHILFFEX) and will be held on March 9 to 11, 2017 at the SMX Convention Center Manila.
“A big part of our role in PCA as a trade organization is to stay in touch with trends – both local and global – so that we can steer our members and the rest of the industry to where business opportunities are,” shared Jorge Consunji, past president of PCA and incumbent chairman of Philconstruct Events, Exhibitions, and Conferences Corp., organizers of the show. “Right now, the market for furnishings and finishing is strong because there’s a lot of demand for new office, residential, and retail development. This is why you see foreign brands like IKEA coming into the country. We want our local talents and interior finishes to get exposure and to get their own slice of this market. This is why we have this show, to serve as their business platform.”
In the trade exhibitions scene, PCA is better known as the organizers of PHILCONSTRUCT, the longest-running construction show in the country. Consunji says this experience has given their organization a sense of duty to the industry, always ensuring that there isa venue for suppliers and stakeholders to explore business opportunities in both domestic and international markets.
Where fit-out fits in
PHILFFEX will be focused on showcasing products and solutions that cater to the needs of interior and fit-out contractors. This includes air cooling and ventilation solutions; furnishings and fixtures for bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchen, and living room; lighting solutions; luxury lifestyle; surfaces and finishes (walls, floors, ceilings); as well as related technologies and services.
The show is co-presented by award-winning paint company Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines who is set to launch the latest line-up from a classic brand – Dutch Boy. “This brand has been present in the country since the Second World War,” said Ruben Cueto, VP for Marketing of Boysen. “Customers have grown to love it over the years. We thought PHILFFEX would be a great platform to present a refreshed lineup for Dutch Boy so that clients who are already familiar with the brand can once again experience its legacy of dependability and quality while at the same time also generateinterest in the younger crowd.”
Boysen will be joined by major sponsor CW Home Depot and other exhibitors like Frost Aire Conditioning Inc.Ocean Cooling Tower SdnBhdSupreme Steel Pipe Corp.Civet Marketing & Distribution Inc., , Messe& Handel Corporation, Homeaid Depot Incorporated, Manila Rubber, Tekno Circle Merchandising, Uniform Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Supply, Inc., GTY Veyron Industries Corp., Nexus R Asia, Inc., Comer Industrial Development, Inc., Central World Enterprise, Tosot Philippines Corp., 1 Rotary Trading Corporation, Colent Marketing, China Intop, Vet Specialist, JMSC, Spurway, Kame October Co. Ltd., Tech1corporation, Profence Systems Corporation, Mundo Builders Inc., Durkee Hi-Tech Material Group Co. Ltd., Gere Enterprises, and many others.
Going beyond construction
“There’s a cycle that we follow in construction: first is building, second is fit-out, third is maintenance. Our goal in PHILFFEX is to cater to the last two,” said Will Decena, Overall Chairman of the event. “Aside from the expo, we are holding a series of seminars and talks that will add on to the experience of both exhibitors and visitors.”
On days one and two of the event, PHILFFEX will be hosting seminars on facilities management in partnership with the Philippine Association of Building Administrators (PABA). Topics to be covered include the Fundamentals of Engineering Operation and Maintenance of Facilities in Mixed-use Development and General Property Management. On the last day, a forum called Design Talks will bring together a select panel of industry experts to discuss trends and business opportunities shaping today’s world of fit-out.
Visitors may pre-register online until March 4 to get their pass to the expo. Simple log on to www.philffex.com and click on Register. For more information on how to be part of the show, visit call Global-Link Exhibitions Specialist, Inc. at 893-7973 local 526 or send them a message through Facebook @PHILFFEX.
“PHILFFEX is truly going to be a different approach because we’re focused on a niche market, which is why we also decided to hold it alongside the Philippines International Furniture Show (PIFS) and Interior & Design Manila,” added Decena. “We’re looking forward to the synergy that these showcases. I’m sure our continued collaboration with the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers, Chamber of Furniture Industries in the Philippines, Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation, and Pampanga Furniture Industries Foundation will result in a successful trade event for our respective industries.”
