After five intensive trade fair days, the Rooms Moscow/Moscow International Furniture Show (MIFS) closed its doors having registered good results. 335 exhibitors from 17 countries showcased future furniture and supplier trends, attracting a total of 21,542 visitors (2013: 21,120) to the leading Moscow trade fair grounds – Crokus Expo. The slight increase was simultaneously linked to high visitor quality, something that was confirmed by numerous exhibitors. Overall, the trade fair was convincing with increased international character resulting from a doubling of the non-domestic exhibitor space compared to the première of the trade fair. “With this result, the Rooms Moscow/MIFS has confirmed its position as the most important spring furniture trade fair and hence its position as a business platform in Russia. For us, the trade fair was a successful further development compared to the première event”, summarises a very satisfied Cologne trade fair boss, Gerald Böse.

The second edition of the Rooms Moscow/Moscow International Furniture Show (MIFS) ended on Saturday, May 24, 2014. In total, 21,542 visitors travelled to the Russian capital, a slight increase compared to the previous year (2013: 21,120). The space booked by international exhibitors actually doubled. This pleased not only the visitors, but also the organisers of the trade fair, Koelnmesse and Media Globe Krokus (MGK). Both give a positive summary. “All important commercial partners were present with their customers. It shows that this specialised trade show – in Moscow and at this time in spring – is important”, reports Gerald Böse, President and Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse.
And Alexey Striganov, General Director of Media Globe Krokus (MGK), agrees: “From the very first day, this year’s Rooms Moscow/MIFS was successful for us, as business for our exhibitors was extremely satisfactory throughout the entire trade fair. It is a mixture of international offerings and Russian manufacturers that makes the trade fair so attractive to visitors from Russia and the neighbouring CIS countries.”

And Alexander Oswald, head of ‘Competence Center East’ at the Verband der Deutschen Möbelindustrie (VDM – Association of the German Furniture Industry) is also positive: “This year’s Rooms Moscow/MIFS has very clearly proven that it has the potential to assume a leading role in the Russian furniture trade fair landscape. The involvement of Koelnmesse in particular is a guarantee that the trade fair provides a balanced international presentation as a mirror of the markets – a good blend of the local and the international. The VDM will continue to support this approach on behalf of the German furniture industry. Many Russian visitors already view the Rooms Moscow/MIFS 2014 as an international platform, also due to the comprehensive German involvement and the clear trade fair structure.”

In all, 335 exhibitors from 17 different countries presented their new products and services in Moscow. Their ranks included KARE Design (Germany), Dan-Form (Denmark), Spühl (Switzerland), Kilim International and Gaysan (Turkey), Sealy Middle East Mattress (United Arab Emirates) as well as Tompol and Zawisza (Poland), to name but a few. The opportunity to enter the hugely-promising Russian furniture market via the Rooms Moscow/MIFS was also seized by 23 German companies exhibiting in the pavilion sponsored by the BMWi (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft and Technologie – Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology).

With the Russian exhibitors, it was clearly noticeable that they had focused more strongly on high-end stand design, which was very well received by all visitors. The best stand concept was presented with an award from a Russian jury: Here, a German company, KARE Design, won the award. Further awards went to Brass Ltd., Bellona, Mebel-Moskva and Arben Textile, among others.

In terms of the visitor quality, exhibitors praised the relevance of the trade fair guests. In all, the show had a stronger B2B character and concrete business deals were concluded during the trade fair. Visitor delegations from Belarus and other countries attended the trade fair. Alexey Striganov from MGK also emphasised: “It was really pleasing that we were able to win over more Russian architects and interior designers for the event.” In turn, visitors found the segmentation between furniture and suppliers very convincing, as it provided them with good orientation.

And the comprehensive accompanying programme was also very well received and triggered intensive international exchange. On the one hand, a selection of the winners of the renowned Interior Innovation Award was exhibited. This award is presented annually within the context of the imm cologne in collaboration with the Rat für Formgebung (German Design Council). Well-known companies – such as Franz Kaldewei, Kreamat, Pedro, Resol Group, Tacchini Italia Forniture, Whitepool and wick-lebensart – enjoyed the opportunity to showcase their award-winning designs to the Russian audience, allowing them to strengthen their commitment in this market. On the other hand, the Franchise Zone and the Design Village were also part of the special accompanying programme space, with the latter presenting a symbiosis of modern design, contemporary art and sculptures, among other things.

The Rooms Moscow/MIFS plays an important role within the international expansion strategy of Koelnmesse. It brings together the leading world imm cologne, LivingKitchen, ORGATEC, spoga+gafa and interzum trade fairs. The spectrum ranges from upholstered furniture, cabinetry and office furniture all the way through to contract business, outdoor and kitchen furniture. Furthermore, the furniture supplier industry presents its innovations. Summarising the event, trade fair boss Gerald Böse states: “The Rooms Moscow/MIFS has confirmed its position as the most important spring furniture trade fair and hence its position as a business platform in Russia. For us, the trade fair was a successful further development compared to the première event.”

The next Rooms Moscow/MIFS will be taking place between May 19 and 23, 2015.

For more information relating to the trade fair, please go to:
www.rooms-moscow.com

Further trade fairs:
The next CIKB will be taking place between November 5 and 7, 2014 at the Shanghai World Expo Center.
en.cikb.com.cn

The next furniPRO Asia will be taking place between November 5 and 8, 2014 in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
www.furniproasia.com

Koelnmesse has been bringing people and markets together for 90 years now. 1924 saw the beginning of the Cologne trade fairs’ success story with the opening of the very first event at the Cologne-Deutz grounds. During the post-war economic miracle, the ‘Rhineland trade fair’ advanced to become a global trading venue. Today, Koelnmesse has the world’s fifth largest trade fair grounds and organises around 75 trade fairs both in Cologne and across the globe. In its centenary year – 2014 – Koelnmesse is communicating its history to the public with numerous events, publications and exhibitions.