Dubai will host from 14 to 16 December 2008 Dubai Drink Technology Expo at Dubai Convention and Exhibition Centre.

This significant and unique event presents worldwide range of products and services in the area of beverages technology.

The event targets the promotion of the latest drink processing and packaging systems.

It offers the state-of-the-art technology, logistics solutions for beverages and liquid food processing industry.

Mr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, President INDEX Holding made the announcement at a press conference.

Mr. Al Madani added, Dubai Drink Technology 2008 would display the latest applied technologies, machinery, equipment, materials, and services. Brand owners, retailers, beverage service operators, manufacturers and processors will have the opportunity to network and contract.

Index Conferences and Exhibitions organizing Establishment member of INDEX Holding organizes Dubai Drink Technology Expo, 2008 which is a member of the American Beverages Association. It is the first of its type in the entire region and represents a significant addition to the exhibitions and conventions industry in Dubai. Al Madani said.

He added ‘Dubai Drinks Technology Expo. is an international platform for businesses operating in the industry, investors exploring new and innovated drinks ventures, and industry services providers. Participants will have excellent opportunities to network, negotiate, contract, and expand their operations in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates growing business hub, and in the Gulf and Middle East market place.

This high profile event is the largest show for plants and machinery employed in processing and producing beverages and liquid food, packaging technology, IT solutions, lab and analytic instruments, recycling systems …etc.

Giving the progressive trends in Drinks sector Mr. Al Madani stated that ‘the Middle East and North Africa beverages drinks market is witnessing noticeable expansion associated with the elevation in the standard of living and with healthy drinks increasing demand. Growth in Juices demand is projected by industry sources to increase by 12 percent annually while energy drinks by 13 percent.

Considering the socio economic barometers of the region, beverages producing industries will in the few coming years experience expansion in production and ultimately a lager Share in the market. New and innovated beverages will strongly penetrate the UAE and regional markets. Technology facilitating these expansions will be displayed during the Expo.

It is an added benefit for technology owners, suppliers, and manufacturers and to potential investors in the industry as well. The expo will comprise a number of specialized pavilions to display the latest production machinery and equipment, process and quality control instruments, storage, transport and handling services associated with this industry. International display centers for the leading companies in the production and processing of fruit juices, soft drinks, milk products, liquid food.

Centers for Tea and coffee from Germany, Spain, and France, UK, US, Brazil, Ethiopia, Kenya India, Sri-lanka, Thailand, China, Vietnam, and S. Korea will exhibit their products. Special area dedicated for displaying new technologies, innovated drink products. Mr. Al Madani said.

Mr. Ahmed Al Gaizi Director Economic Department at the UAE Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry said ‘ Considering the strategic Joint Cooperation Agreement signed with Index Conferences and Exhibition Establishment fully supports this economically and socially important event.

This event will naturally attract more investment to the UAE and elevate the quality and standards of drinks industry in the country. Index with its wide experience and professionalism is capable of organizing this event in the manner that reflects the high standard of Exhibition industry in the country.

The Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry encourages drinks manufacturers and trading companies to seize this
excellent opportunity and actively participate in the exhibition’ .Al Gaizi added.

Mr. Awad Al Saqair Director Dubai Conventions Bureau of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing said Dubai drink Technology Expo. is one of the important shows held in Dubai. It plays an important role in the transfer of technology , know-how and innovations in one of the most important industries. Dubai convention Bureau extends all possible support and assistance to Index conferences and exhibitions Establishment member of INDEX Holding to organize this important event in the best possible manner in line with the best international standards.

He added ‘Dubai is positioned as one of the leading conventions and exhibitions center in the world. Dubai Drink Technology Expo. is a real addition to conventions and exhibitions industry in the UAE and the region as well. We encourage the local industries and businesses engaged in drinks manufacturing and processing to take an active part in this unique event.’

International Famous Furniture Fair (Dongguan), commonly known as 3F, is a leading furniture fair in China since 1999. This semi-annual exhibition held in March and August, now shifted to September, is a leading trade event serving the global furniture and furnishing community. The 20th 3F will be on from 6 through 10 September 2008.

General Information
Every year, over 700 exhibitors from 10 countries gather twice in Houjie and display their latest products in 9 exhibition halls covering 240,000sqm. 3F and its concurrent International Famous Furniture Woodworking Machinery & Material Fair, Dongguan Home Furnishings Fair touch every essential category in the home furnishings/décor marketplace, including bedroom furniture, living room furniture, upholstery, wall décor, decorative accessories, lightings, textile as well as woodworking machinery and materials. It is the most comprehensive home furnishings event in China and the most efficient trading and exchanging platform for the world’s furniture industry. Held right in the center of China’s furniture industry, 3F is the only furniture event in China supported by Ministry of Commerce of China and Hong Kong Trade Development Council. It is the only furniture exhibition receives UFI Approved Event endorsement in China. It is the Excellent Furniture Exhibition in Intellectual Property Rights Protection in Guangdong.

Attendee Information
International furniture and furnishing retail and wholesale trade, furniture importers and exporter, interior designers, architects, designers, joiners, carpenters, interior decorators.

Exhibitor Information
International suppliers of furniture, woodworking machinery, furniture accessories and components, lighting, home accessories, decorative items, carpets and home textiles.

Show Organizer (s): Dongguan Famous Furniture Association
Event Date (s): Sep 06, 2008 – Sep 10, 2008
Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Venue: Guangdong Modern Internatioinal Exhibition Center
Address: Houjie Furniture Road, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
No. of Exhibitors: 746 , History Record: 746(in 2008)
No. of Attendees: 110000 , History Record: 110000(in 2008)
Exhibition Floor Size: (sqm) 240000 , History Record: 240000(in 2008)
Phone: 86 – 769 – 85900111
Fax: 86 – 769 – 85585780

The local government of Cebu was received warmly by Austrian traders who showed great interest in investing and importing furniture from the province.

Cebu officials led by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia were in full force during their visit to Vienna last month to present the province’s unique furniture business to the Austrian Chamber of Commerce.

“I really make this a point na dadalhin ko ang ating furniture manufacturers to open more market for the Cebu furniture industry our furniture is a world class,” Garcia said.

Garcia’s group showed the audience the growing furniture industry in Cebu through a PowerPoint presentation.

“This is a business matching session for the Cebu delegation with Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industries, the counterpart here in Austria is the Austrian Federation,” said Cebu Board Member Wenceslao Gakit.

Aside from Austria, the officials said they are also set to visit other countries in Eastern Europe.

The group hopes to establish more connections in other European countries like Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia and Germany.

Source

Furniture makers and interior fit-out specialists from around the world will take part in an international hospitality furniture expo to be held in Bahrain next month.

The International Hospitality Furniture Expo (IHFEX) will be held at the Bahrain International Expo from September 3 to 5.

The event will be opened by Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr Hassan Fakhro.

The exhibition will target the fit-out of hotels, service apartments, commercial projects, cruise liners and other hospitality projects.

“The Singapore pavilion will combine trendsetting designs with fresh ideas, to provide visitors with a fruitful experience at IHFEX,” IHFEX director Tony Chan said. Read more »

For eight years, Mark Whitley toiled as a professional fine furniture maker without formal accolades.

Often, he had trouble finding a market locally for his work, though it’s showcased at the Kentucky Museum of Art + Craft in Louisville.

As a result, the young man often was discouraged.

But he kept on perfecting his art anyway, with support from his parents, Charles and Neva Whitley, and his wife, Melissa Whitley.

It all paid off a few weeks ago when Mark Whitley won the top award – the Award of Excellence – at the American Founders Bank Woodland Art Fair in Lexington. Read more »

El Paso’s small-business owners can learn how to do business with the military and sell furniture to the federal government for upcoming Fort Bliss expansion projects during a workshop next week, organizers say.

Representatives from the General Services Administration and the Army Corps of Engineers’ Huntsville, Ala., office will attend the conference Wednesday at the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce’s Downtown office, 10 Civic Center Plaza.

Anyone who sells furniture and wants to learn more about how to do business with the federal government can attend, said Minda Villarreal, vice president of the Greater Chamber’s Business Development Division. Read more »

Gulf and Middle East consumers using designs produced in Pakistan are potential buyers of Pakistani furniture and could facilitate the industry to achieve the targeted $1 billion export by 2015.

These remarks were made by Chairman Furniture Pakistan Shahbaz Aslam, while speaking at a press conference held at the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) zonal office Saturday.

He said local furniture industry is growing at an annual rate of 25 percent annually in the absence of modern technology and skilled labour force. Read more »

In a move to establish a significant presence of sustainability, Channel Logic and Sustainable Furniture Council join with World Market Center to create the inaugural Living Green Pavilion. As part of the Design and Living section at the Sands Convention Center, Living Green will showcase stylish and functional home furnishing designs available from several manufacturers. Channel Logic Inc, has positioned themselves as the leading sustainable products resource and representation firm, and is working hard to establish a viable presence in the marketplace for eco-conscious purchasers.

Channel Logic, Inc. is a sustainable furniture manufacturer representation firm, founded in March, 2007, by Tim Loveday and Mark Gruman. With the sustainability movement rapidly gaining momentum, Loveday and Gruman recognized an opportunity to advance the presence of sustainability within the furniture industry. Read more »

The furniture industry is very important in Adams County and, more specifically, in Berne. The city is known as the furniture capital of Indiana.

But just who came up with that title?

According to Connie Potter, executive director of the Berne Chamber of Commerce, an employee of one of the four original furniture factories noticed that for a town the size of Berne, there was a lot of furniture being made and decided to call the city the furniture capital of Indiana.

“It’s pretty much a self-proclaimed thing, but nobody’s ever disputed it,” Potter said. “I guess you could just say it fits.”

At one time, Berne was home to four furniture factories and three furniture stores. The four factories were Dunbar Furniture Co., Berne Furniture, Smith Brothers of Berne and Swiss City Furniture. Read more »

The exports of handicrafts from the state has shown a declining trend in spite of the fact that the region is rich in rural handicrafts.

Exports in the year 2005-06 were worth Rs 301.3 crore only, whereas, national exports were worth Rs 14, 526.85 crore during the same period.

The state has not been able to keep pace with the increase in exports at the national level.

Handicraft exports at the national level had almost doubled from Rs 83,430 crores in 2002-03, whereas exports from West Bengal has marginally increased from Rs 226 crores in the same year.

P K Agarwal, Principal Secretary of Land and Land Reforms, gave these figures at a seminar titled “Entrepreneurship development for rural artisans in the field of Indian Handicrafts”. The seminar was organised by the Eastern Chamber of Commerce. Read more »