Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM FEBRUARY 2024 56 I n 2024, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) will celebrate its 35th anniversary and unveil an even bolder approach to supporting design companies and their success throughout the year. The ICFF team is reshaping the core of its brand to remain the leading contemporary design fair in North America through: • Solidifying ICFF's role as a business accelerator and the entry point into the U.S. market for international brands • Clarifying its objective to be at the center of culture, community, and commerce and to be relevant and appealing to the next generation of designers and consumers • Amplifying design companies and content year-round to support the design industry beyond the fair ICFF: THE FAIR ICFF is the premier design event for companies looking to develop or grow their business in the U.S. Based in New York, the fair is the gateway to the North American design market and will take place May 19-21, 2024 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. ICFF Brand Directors Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat said, "Given ICFF's 35-year history, we felt it was time to redefine and rebrand ICFF to solidify, clarify, and amplify our design messaging and content. Since ICFF is the leading contemporary design fair in the U.S., we decided to concentrate on the most important products, technologies, and issues facing the industry and partner with global high-quality brands that reflect ICFF's ethos. Our long-standing collaborations with the industry increase our engagement year-round with the design community, allowing us to enhance ICFF's brand visibility across design communities around the world." Known for its global exposure, networking opportunities, and access to industry knowledge, ICFF brings together design professionals, architects, interior designers, and design enthusiasts. ICFF reaches a diverse and influential audience and attracts a wide range of potential buyers due to its proximity to numerous design studios, architecture firms, galleries, and showrooms. As part of its continued focus on sustainability, ICFF is making strides to decrease the show's carbon footprint and lessen the amount of waste it produces. Efforts include removing most of the carpet from the show floor, renting walls instead of building them, using recyclable material for all signage, placing water fountains throughout the floor for refillable bottles, using low-energy lights, and asking food vendors to avoid single- use plastic. ICFF is encouraging all participants to follow their lead and do what they can to lessen their carbon footprint at the fair. With the ICFF Talks on the Mainstage and The Oasis, the main programming topics for the fair this year include: • Sustainability and materials • The best in making and producing, from hand-made and high-end craft to new industrial innovations and technology-related processes • Business and collaboration opportunities in the U.S.: how to achieve company goals, understanding the U.S. market better, design landscape, and needs • Education, including diversity in design, original design, and new tools (AI) WHAT'S NEW? The ICFF team is designing the fair to be more curated, accessible, and user-friendly. The show floor will include more spaces to explore, lounge, network, and have conversations. New dedicated areas have been created for complementary products such as Materials, Outdoor Living, and Kitchen & Bath. The latter will also feature a lounge area for dedicated programming. The newly designed spaces will offer activation and communication opportunities for attendees. • Bespoke: The Art of Making: Celebrating craftsmanship, this feature will showcase the skill and expertise of high-end artisans. Emphasizing the unique techniques used to create beautiful handmade furnishings, textiles, and architectural finishes, the 3,000-square-foot space will present companies creating one-of-a-kind works, responding to the need, specifically in the U.S., for sourcing materials. • Design Schools Workshop: Produced since 2012 as part of WantedDesign, the Design Schools Workshop is a collaborative four- day course where a selection of 35-40 international design students work together on a creative solution to a brief. This year, the "Dream Driven Design" workshop will invite the students to imagine the future of mobility, with a storytelling and holistic approach. It will take place in a dedicated area adjacent to the WantedDesign area. Presented with media partner Core77 and conducted with Pratt Institute and Honda R&D Co., Ltd. Honda Design. • ROOM + OFS Podcast Studio: New this year, ROOM, OFS, and ICFF will bring together the leading voices in global design to discuss the big ideas that are reshaping the workspace. ROOM with OFS' Imagine a Place productions will activate a space on the show floor featuring live T R A D E S H O W [ N E W S ] A NEW CHAPTER AND VISION FOR ICFF

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