DITP hosts STYLE Bangkok fair to drive lifestyle product market expansion As buyers fly in from some 80 countries

The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce, announced the readiness of STYLE Bangkok April 2019, a prime regional lifestyle trade fair in Asia with more than 1,600 booths covering the space of 41,000 square meters at BITEC, Bangna, from 17-21 April 2019.

The press conference held today (Friday, 15 March 2019) at the Athenee Hotel Bangkok, was chaired by DITP’s Deputy Director General Mrs Vannaporn Ketudat who gave a warm welcome to executives of co-organizing associations from both the public and private sectors as well as all the media members. Among many highlights of the day were creative display of selected lifestyle products and a mini fashion show presented in cooperation with Vogue Thailand magazine.

DITP’s Deputy Director General said: “STYLE Bangkok has combined into one the three major lifestyle product trade fairs including Bangkok International Fashion Fair and Bangkok International Leather Fair or BIFF&BIL; Bangkok International Gift Fair and Bangkok International Houseware Fair or BIG+BIH; and Thailand International Furniture Fair or TIFF.  These trade fairs have long been established and recognized locally and globally. However, in response to the changing global trend and the needs of importers/buyers to lessen time for travel and product sourcing, the three fairs have been incorporated as one grand event.

“The incorporation of the three fairs is obviously the right answer as it can offer greater convenience for buyers and sellers of all categories in finding everything related to consumer lifestyle under one roof, whether they are concept store retailers, buying agents, designers, interior decorators, real estate business people, or department stores representatives in Thailand and from abroad.  The fair will also provide trade opportunity for exhibitors to meet more variety of buyers and traders,” the DITP’s deputy director general disclosed.

She elaborated that “STYLE Bangkok April 2019 will be held under the concept ‘Crenovative Origin’, reflecting the successful merger of creativity, innovation and originality of Thai identity. The fair will showcase the works of Thai designers and entrepreneurs whose creative ideas have been developed into quality lifestyle products with a touch of innovation, elevating from local brands to the global trade platform.

Mrs Vannaporn singled out a group of new Thai brands with remarkable successes at the fair namely Lively Ware ceramicware which obtained big purchase order from Singaporean buyer right at its first show; Blue Bear kitchen uniforms made of waterproof functional textile which have become hot items among buyers from the ASEAN countries; Kafbo pet furniture which have won popularity throughout the East as well as the West, and last but not least, About Home furniture, lamp shades and decorative items which have been enjoying continuous growth in the Middle East.“

There will be 855 brands and 1,625 exhibitors awaiting visitors at the upcoming fair. We expect some 50,000 Thai and overseas buyers from 80 countries including Taiwan, Korea, Japan and our neighboring countries --Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.  Trade value during the 5-day fair is expected to be more than 2,000 million baht.”

In addition to diverse sectors of lifestyle products, STYLE Bangkok will also feature more than 20 interesting exhibitions, insightful seminarsd plus other highlights, adding the distinctive value to visitor experience. The special exhibits are divided into three groups -- Showcase for new SME entrepreneurs and business operators from the provinces namely The New Faces, Provincial Commerce, OTOP for Export; Showcase for designers and brands such as  Designers' Room & Talent Thai, Innovation and Design Showcase, Niche Markets which include Pet, 60+, Mom and Kids and Furniture and Decors for Hospitality and Home; and Showcase for knowledge and inspiration creation such as Functional Textile, The Pattern Creator, Material Solution and Art Zone.

DITP General Director reiterated that “The DITP aims to strengthen Thailand’s position as production and export hub of quality lifestyle products in the ASEAN.   We have been driving STYLE Bangkok to become ideal trade fair that can effectively respond to the needs of buyers and sellers in the industry, a platform for buyers and sellers to build network, make business deals, exchange knowledge and update lifestyle product trends. We are making it a truly comprehensive, internationally-recognized lifestyle product trade fair.”

She concluded by inviting buyers, designers, entrepreneurs and the general publics to visit the fair to witness the high potential of Thai lifestyle products with great pride and support the growth of the Thai industry.

STYLE Bangkok will be held from 17-21 April 2019 at BITEC Bangna.  Trade days are 17-19 April, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. while public days will be on the weekend of 20-21 April, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.  For more information and pre-registration, please visit  https://www.stylebangkokfair.com/ or call DITP Call Center at 1169.