Industry members invited to take part
HIGH POINT — Members of the Appalachian furniture industry are invited to participate in the Furniture China 2014 and Furniture Supply and Manufacturing 2014 trade shows, set for Sept. 12-15 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center in Shanghai, China.
For the second year, the Furniture Enterprise Office of the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the International Trade Division is coordinating this Export Trade Advisory Council event. Last year, the Appalachia USA China delegation included 45 firms and organizations represented by 53 individuals.
Appalachia is a 200,000-square-mile region that follows the spine of the Appalachian Mountains from southern New York to northern Mississippi. It includes all of West Virginia and parts of 12 other states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, according to the Appalachian Regional Commission.
Appalachian businesses invited to participate include those involved in furniture and other wood products, veneers, flooring and carpeting, home lighting, woodworking supplies, millwork and trim, home textiles and accessories, machinery and precision controls.
The Appalachia USA delegation will staff twin pavilions in Shanghai. For wood product-related interests, a pavilion is planned within the Furniture China ZOW area. For furniture-related activities and for individual states, economic development representatives and academic interests, space is available in the Appalachia USA pavilion in the Furniture China 2014 International Hall.
A discounted exhibit space rental rate is available for Appalachian businesses wishing to secure a space in either of those two areas. Exhibit costs are about $250 to $300 per square meter of display space.
The cost includes services such as hospitality and interpreters. Travel and display costs will be paid by the exhibitor. The Furniture Enterprise Office is working to secure discounted hotel room rates.
Others invited to participate in the shows include the Export Trade Advisory Council member states and university- related interests. Any group with state-related promotional materials to display in the pavilion or individual states with China-based reps who wish to help staff the pavilions is asked to notify the Furniture Enterprise Office promptly, so there will be enough time to coordinate it.
More information is available from Tom Crump, director of North Carolina’s Furniture Enterprise Office, at tcrump@nccommerce.com or (336) 884-8170, or Amy Garrard, outreach coordinator at Mississippi State University’s Franklin Furniture Institute, at amy.garrard@msstate.edu or (662) 325-8453.
