22,000 visitors expected at home design, property expo
KOTA KINABALU: About 22,000 people are expected to visit this year’s instalment of the awardwinning HOMEDEC & IPEX Exhibition 2018.
The three-day exhibition, which is regarded as the state’s biggest home design and property exhibition was launched yesterday and will be held until September 23 at Sabah Trade Centre. It features over 60 companies from Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia, taking up 180 booths.
The semi-trade exhibition is expected to reach its profit target of RM12 million during those three days.
It is understood that the awardwinning exhibition organiser C.I.S Network Sdn Bhd has been organising the award-winning HOMEDEC exhibition in Sabah since 2011, while Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) has held its flagship IPEX since 1998.
In this regard, Deputy Chief Minister cum Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau had lauded the collaboration, describing it as a platform that will serve the demands of architecture, properties and the home interior and designs sector.
“I believe both IPEX and HOMEDEC give the opportunity for participants and trade visitors to discuss trade, collaborations and business networks, meet face-to-face with trade visitors and homeowners for the latest technology, innovation products of the markets,” Tangau said in his speech, read by his assistant Azhar Matussin.
“IPEX and HOMEDEC joining hands together has proven to be an effective platform in strengthening the industry’s ecosystem, facilitating thousands of industry stakeholders in making the right connections,” Tangau added.
Three years ago, the two organisations decided to bring the exhibitions together to bring the architecture, home decor and interior industry to the forefront for the Borneo region, to serve the booming home decor and interior segments, as well as the property development and building sector here.
Meanwhile Ar Arnold Kwan, PAM Sabah Chapter President reckoned that the combined exhibition has opened more doors for business development among exhibitors; while affording a much wider range of choices and sophisticated new materials for architects and other building professionals.
This will contribute to the growth of the architecture and home interior industry as a whole for East and Peninsular Malaysia, he added.
C.I.S president Datuk Vincent Lim asserted that the strategic collaboration with PAM Sabah Chapter aligns to one of HOMEDEC’s principle aims of being at the forefront of growing businesses and to continue to lead the industry alike, for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders.
“Aside from featuring leading names in the industry, this is also an opportunity to showcase new industry players, meet face-toface with industry experts and the opportunity to bridge businesses or setting up of companies or branches here in Sabah,” Vincent said.
Among the highlights of this year’s event are the HOMEDEC Best Deals Campaign, HOMEDEC Contest, Grab All The Cash You Can programme, HOMEDEC Register and Visit, HOMEDEC Flash Sale, PAM’s Edible Architecture Competition and a children’s colouring and drawing contest.
This event marks the third collaboration between HOMEDEC and IPEX. For this year, the event was relocated from 1Borneo Hypermall to Sabah Trade Centre.
Vincent disclosed that the organisers are planning to hold the event at the new Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), once it has been completed.
Both Vincent and Arnold believe that the SICC will serve as a better avenue for the exhibition to grow even bigger.
Opening hours are from 11 am to 9 pm. Visitors may visit www. homedec.com.my or check out HOMEDEC’s official Facebook page for more information.