Message to Exhibitors and Visitors

Finally! The Philippine furniture industry comes together as one!

Beginning this coming October, CEBUNEXT, MANILA NOW, and PAMPANGA ONE will become partners and will merge with Manila F.A.M.E. International to create two annual integrated SUPER trade shows: OCTOBER FAME 2011(October 16 – 19, 2011) and  MARCH FAME 2012 (March 14 – 17, 2012) at the SMX Convention Center.

What is exciting about these events is that aside from the 3 furniture shows merging as one UNITED EXPO under the banner of Manila F.A.M.E. International, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) has also given its all-out support to ensure the success of these events and in turn, the final beneficiary of all these exciting developments is YOU… whether you are a buyer or an exhibitor. We now have a big and comprehensive expo to showcase our Filipino ingenuity and craftsmanship whether it be in furniture, furnishings, accessories and the like.

 This is an exciting time for all of us and I want you to be part of it and see firsthand what the show has to offer.

In summary, I want to share a story with you:

 A traveler came across two masons who were working at chipping chunks of granite from large blocks. The first seemed unhappy at his job, chipping away and frequently looking at his watch. When the traveler asked how he was, the mason responded grumpily, “Terrible! My back hurts, the pay is small and I’m in the sun all day. I’m hammering this stupid rock to make this stupid wall which I’ll probably never finish in my lifetime!”

 The traveler moved on to the next worker. The second mason was hammering at his block fervently, taking time to stand back and admire his work. He chipped off small pieces until he was satisfied that it was the best he could do. When he was questioned about his work he stopped, gazed skyward and proudly proclaimed, “I love it! I am building a cathedral! I might not see it completed in my lifetime but the foundation I helped built will last for generations to come!”

That vision is what we should aspire for. Without a doubt, I believe the Philippine furniture industry is on its way back to the top . We might not be here to see it for ourselves but we were part of the few who took the chance because we had a vision. We saw a cathedral when others saw a wall.

We have the opportunity to contribute to the creation of something great, something larger than ourselves. That time is now.

Join us in October 2011 and March 2012 and let us build our cathedral together.