CebuNext organizers seek long term support by government

CEBU, Philippines – The organizing committee of next year's Cebu International Furniture and Furnishing Exhibition (CebuNext 2011) is now exploring possibilities of getting a long term commitment from the local government to support the annual show.

CebuNext 2011 chairman Charles Streegan said the group is going to tap local sources or even the national government to back the show's sustainability, as it is a great venue to promote the products of the furniture, home furnishing, and GTH (gifts, toys and houseware) exporters.

Aside from that, CebuNext also helps varied industries generate income such as tourism and retail industries. Potential investors are also most likely to get interested to invest here through the show.

"We are doing our rounds to seek funding" Streegan said adding that the support will not be for the duration of the show alone, but it could also lead to an institutionalized program that will strengthen Cebu's bid in becoming the "Design capital of Asia" specifically for furniture.

In past international furniture shows, the Department of Tourism (DOT) had been supporting the event through financial support, and bringing in foreign media and world's opinion makers to push Cebu's furniture sector to the world market.

In 2009, DOT through the leadership of then secretary Joseph Ace Durano gave P2 million support funds for the show.

This time, Streegan is hopeful that local governments specifically will give support to the next year's exhibition show.

CebuNext organizer, the Cebu Furniture Industry Foundation Inc.(CFIF) is still looking for willing institutions to commit their support for the show.

Support may come from the Local Government Units (LGUs) or agencies in the national government as well as international funding agencies to make commitments to sup-port the annual exhibition.

CebuNext 2011, which will be held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, will be showcasing a number of "exciting" products, as a result of the players' effort to re-invent the exhibition, showcasing products that would reinforce Cebu's bid to be known as the "design destination in Asia."

"Industries that cater to trend-driven market, [such as furniture] cannot be static. We have to prove to everyone that we are indeed the design destination in Asia," Streegan said.

The show that will carry the theme "Crossing Cultures" will feature products and designs that depict the interplay of international cultures.

According to CebuNext 2011 creative director Kenneth Cobonpue, the theme was chosen to emphasize Philippines' or Cebu's contribution to the global design scene.

In this concept, Cobonpue said next year's CebuNext will feature designs that are most revival of Filipino's early style and design of craftsmanship, thus, CebuNext 2011 will also launch a new program called "Kagikan"--an exploration of origins; affirmation of birth; a delivery of design.

Although the industry is still struggling, Streegan urged furniture companies to activate even further their market penetration especially for the emerging new markets, in order to stay in the business, or sustain its operations under the unpredictable consumer buying attitude in US and Europe.

CFIF has developed a database containing 23,000 buyers and industry opinion leaders and their contact information.

The industry support group of furniture exporters in Cebu-the CFIF also implemented a linkage program that matches buyers to CebuNext exhibitors according to product interest, via the online registration system. (FREEMAN)