AT THE MARKET — The promoter of an Egyptian furniture show is bringing industry representatives to the July show here to assess whether it makes sense for them to show at future events.


Expolink, which promotes the Furnex show in Cairo, will host the visit to the Las Vegas show July 23-27 to help companies learn more about the event and the opportunities to lease space for the July 2014 show.

Mahmoud Rushdy, a representative of Expolink, said officials from as many as 25 Egyptian manufacturers will take part. The roster will include manufacturers of residential case goods and upholstery, as well as kitchen, office and other contract furniture.

Rushdy said some of the companies already plan to show in Las Vegas sometime in 2014, so it makes sense for them to get a preview of the venue.

Expolink also wants to meet with show officials to talk about possibly leasing space at the Las Vegas event.
One company planning to participate is Msr Toronto, an Alexandria, Egypt-based upholstery and case goods manufacturer. Spokesman Ahmed el Gharabawy said the trip will help his company and others learn about the U.S. market and how American producers are serving the needs of retailers and consumers.

He also wants to see what other countries are supplying to the market and what types of products seem to be most popular. In addition, he’d like to distribute some of his and other companies’ CD catalogs to show potential customers the high quality and craftsmanship that Egyptian companies can produce in furniture, gifts and accessories.

Another Egyptian manufacturer that has voiced interest in the Las Vegas market is case goods and upholstery producer Fayek Decorative Furniture Co. While it wasn’t clear whether the company would send a representative on the study tour, Managing Director Mohamed M. Fayek said during the June Furnex show that he ultimately plans to exhibit in Las Vegas.

One Egyptian company already in Las Vegas is upholstery and occasional manufacturer Domiat-Egypt Co., which is showing in the Las Vegas Convention Center, space S-74639. A first time exhibitor here, Domiat will have a line of mostly traditional sofas, chairs, consoles, chests and other items built at its factory.

It hopes to attract U.S. wholesalers as well as container-direct customers. The company now sells about 15% of its line to the United States but hopes to grow that business, said company representative Sayed Youssef.

Rushdy of Expolink said the group also plans a similar study tour of High Point, but did not mention when it would visit the market there.