Cebu X 2007: Definitely inspiring!

Cebu X 2007 – Everything Inspires

By Ruben Licera, Jr.

Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition (Cebu X) this year showed a more dynamic and varied representation of its avant garde and design oriented masterpieces. The credit goes to Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation’s (CFIF) intensive design and product development program implemented by the business and design information powerhouse of the Philippine furniture export industry – the CFIF Information Centre (CFIF IC).

Tagged under the project name “Design and Product Development Program (DPDP) for Cebu X 2007”, 26 companies participated in a well-orchestrated series of consultancy visits coupled with seminars and workshops designed to enhance the industry’s outlook in conducting research and product development.

The pool of consultants for the program is composed of two of the industry’s leading designers, Carlo Tanseco and Val Padilla, along with three of the finest from Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines (PDDCP) – Art Delgado, James Non and Rowe Requejo.

The series of design and product development trainings and workshops with consultancy visits was done through CFIF’s collaboration with the Association of Industrial Designers (VDID). The partnership was facilitated by the Foundation of Economic Development and Vocational Training (Sequa) and funded by Asia-Invest of the European Commission. Featured resource persons are leading German industrial designers Matthias Votteler, Frank Bauer, Jan Armgardt and Auwi Stuebbe.

The participating companies’ products were highlighted in well-curated special settings located in major thoroughfares of the show.

The consultancy program is subsidized mainly by CFIF with funding from Asia-Invest of the European Commission and Pearl2 of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

Cebu X 2007 international trade buyers, guest and visitors pulse showed that they were impressed with the newly showcased products displayed in boutique-style representation.

Despite the downtrend in statistics of the last shows, show organizers are optimistic that this development can still infuse the required adrenaline to further advance Philippine-made furniture and furnishing products to be in every home in the world

SHOW STATISTICS. USA is the country’s largest market contributing to almost 18% of the total sales during the show as reflected on the reports given by the exhibitors. Cebu X 2007 earned more than US$15 Million in total sales.