1. What is going on at the Fair?
2. When is the Fair open?
3. Who can attend?
4. How much does it cost to attend?
5. What sort of products will I see?
6. Do I need to register to attend as a visitor?
7. What happens when I register?
8. Can I change my registration details or check my details?
9. When can I expect my Visitor Access Card?
10. What if the name, company or industry listed on my card is not correct?
11. What if I forget my card?
12. Can I still attend if I have not registered before arriving?
13. What do I need to bring as business identification?
14. Can students attend?
15. Can I bring my family to have a look?
16. Are there child-minding facilities?
17. Are there any special features at the Fair?
18. Where is the Fair being held?
19. How do I get to the venue?
20. Are there special travel packages available?
21. Do I need a Visa to visit Australia?
22. Can I exhibit at the Fair?
23. What other furniture Fairs are coming up?
24. Who organises this Fair?

1. What is going on at the Fair?

DECORATION + DESIGN Melbourne is an exclusive Trade Fair for the Australian soft furnishing and interior products industries. Specifically created to attract key buyers and decision makers in this industry, DECORATION + DESIGN Melbourne will offer an unparalleled showcase of forthcoming trends to the Australian and New Zealand markets.

DECORATION + DESIGN Melbourne will once again co-locate with FURNITEX, Australasia’s largest furniture and furnishings Trade Fair at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. FURNITEX is a long established Trade Fair that continues to develop and grow in stature from year to year. For more information visit www.furnitex.com.au

There are also a number of key industry events running alongside DECORATION + DESIGN Melbourne including the International Industry Seminar Series, The Australian New Product Parade, VIVID - Vibrant Visions In Design, Furnitex Gala Dinner, Hot Half Hours, Material Inspirations, Fabric Library, Inspired Spaces, Design:Made:Trade, State of Design plus much more

2. When is the Fair open?

Thursday 17 July 2008 9am - 5pm

Friday 18 July 2008 9am - 5pm

Saturday 19 July 2008 10am - 5pm

Sunday 20 July 2008 10am - 5pm
Public Guests are invited to attend on Sunday 20 July between 1pm – 5pm

3. Who can attend?

DECORATION + DESIGN Melbourne is a Trade Only event from Thursday 17 July to Sunday 20 July 2008. Sunday 20 July 2008 will be Trade Only from 9am-1pm and Trade and Public from 1pm - 5pm.

Public are permitted to visit the Fair ONLY on Sunday 20 July 2008, 1pm-5pm.

On Trade Only days admission is strictly restricted to professional persons working within the furniture, furnishing, interiors or related industries. Business identification may be requested upon entry.

4. How much does it cost to attend?

Trade Visitor – after registering attendance is free. Click here to register to visit.

Public Guest – Do not register. Attendance is free.

5. What sort of products will I see?

Companies on display will showcase fabrics, blinds & curtains, soft furnishings, rugs & floorcoverings, homewares, furniture, carpets, lights & lamps, decorative accessories and objets d’art plus much more.

6. Do I need to register to attend as a visitor?

Yes - All Trade Visitor must register to visit the Fair. You may register online by clicking here or dowload a free Trade Registration Form and fax it to 03 9654 5596. Visitor Badges will beging being mailed from Tuesday 10 June 2008. Visitors can also register onsite with relevant Trade Identification.

Public Guest – No, do not register.

7. What happens when I register?

If you register online you will receive an emailed confirmation that gives you a summary of your registered details as well as your unique registration identification number. Your Visitor Access Card will be mailed directly to you before the Fair.

If you fax your registration – your registration will be processed and your Visitor Access Card mailed directly to you before the Fair.

All Visitor Access Cards will be mailed prior to the Fair. If you do not receive you Visitor Access Card before the Fair, you can collect it from the onsite registration desk located near the entrance to the Fair.

8. Can I change my registration details or check my details?

Yes, if you need to check what details have been registered please telephone the Organiser, Australian Exhibitions & Conferences on tel 03 9654 7773. Your registration details can also be altered when you arrive at the Fair at the onsite registration desk located near the entrance to the Fair. Visitor Access Cards can also be collected or re-issued at the onsite registration desk.

9. When can I expect my Visitor Access Card?

Visitor Access Cards for Melbourne will be mailed from mid June 2008. If you do not receive you Visitor Access Card before the Fair, you can collect it from the onsite registration desk located near the entrance to the Fair.

10. What if the name, company or industry listed on my card is not correct?

If your card contains incorrect information bring it along to the registration desk at the entrance to the Fair where the operators can print a new card for you on the spot at no cost. You can also change your details by calling the Organiser, Australian Exhibitions & Conferences on tel 03 9654 7773. Your updated Visitor Access Card will be re-issued or can be collected from the onsite registration desk.

11. What if I forget my card?

Registered visitors may obtain a replacement card at the registration desk without filling out another registration form. You will already be on our database. Just remember to bring business identification with you.

12. Can I still attend if I have not registered before arriving?

Yes, you are welcome to register at the onsite registration desk at the entrance to the Fair. We recommend registering before the Fair to avoid any queues when you arrive.

All onsite registrations will require business identification.

13. What do I need to bring as business identification?

Relevant identification includes: business card and letterhead or company documentation containing your company ABN. You may also be asked for personal identification such as a drivers licence to substantiate your identification.

14. Can students attend?

Students enrolled in a furniture/design/interior/architecture at a tertiary level or registered apprentices may attend on either Saturday 19 or Sunday 20 July 2008 if they have the appropriate student identity card. Students attending seminars on Thursday or Friday will be given permission stickers at the end of the seminar session which will also allow entry to the Fair. Any groups larger than 6 students must apply in writing to the Organiser for approval. Email decorationdesign@aec.net.au

15. Can I bring my family to have a look?

DECORATION + DESIGN Melbourne is a business event and entry is restricted to trade only except on Sunday 20 July 2008 between 1pm - 5pm when public guests are welcome to visit the Melbourne Fair . It is a great chance to show your family and friends the industry that you work in. Children under 16 may attend free of charge if accompanied by an adult at all times.

16. Are there child-minding facilities?

No these facilities are not available at the venue

17. Are there any special features at the Fair?

Yes there is a range of special events put on to inform and entertain you whilst visiting the Fair, including;

Furnitex
Australasia's premier furniture and furnishings trade fair featuring more than 600 key industry manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and suppliers displaying the latest and best of Australian furniture and furnishings.

International Industry Seminar Series
6 inspirational seminars about key topics for the design industry are being presented by international experts. Click here for more information

Material Inspirations
Central to the Fair and featuring the Fabric Library and Inspired Spaces. Click here for more information

Melbourne Cocktail Party
Unique networking opportunity for the design industry. Click here to find out more

Also look out for Design:Made:Trade, State of Design Festival, VIVID, Furnitex Gala Dinner & Industry Awards, Hot Half Hours, The Australian New Product Parade plus much more

18. Where is the Fair being held?

DECORATION + DESIGN Melbourne 08 is being held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Southbank.

Click here for full location details plus travel and accommodation options.

19. How do I get to the venue?

The Melbourne Exhibition Centre is centrally located across the road from the Crown Casino Complex within 500 metres of the Melbourne central business district and is well served by public transport.

Click here to download detailed location map of the Melbourne Exhibition Centre

Click here for detailed options for getting to the venue

20. Are there special travel packages available?

Yes. Special hotel rates and domestic airfares are available for visitors and exhibitors to DECORATION + DESIGN Melbourne. For all travel and accommodation options contact the official travel agents The Lido Group directly on email exhibitions@lido.com.au or telephone 1800 817 339 (within Australia only) or 02 8585 0833 (outside Australia) or look at their website www.lido.com.au

21. Do I need a Visa to visit Australia?

Most international visitors to Australia will require a Visa to enter the country. For Government details on Visas visit the Australian Government Immigration site at www.immi.gov.au. Remember if you need to submit a Visa application make sure you do so well in advance as there is usually a processing period involved.

22. Can I exhibit at the Fair?

Yes. Contact Australian Exhibitions & Conferences on 03 9654 7773 or email decorationdesign@aec.net.au to discuss any available options. Alternatively Click here to register your interest in Exhibiting.

23. What other furniture Fairs are coming up?

Also look out for:

FURNITEX
17 - 20 July 2008
Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Southbank
www.furnitex.com.au

AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL FURNITURE FAIR
4 - 6 February 2009
Sydney Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
www.aiff.net.au

DECORATION + DESIGN Sydney
4 - 6 February 2009
Sydney Exhibition Centre
www.decorationdesign.com.au

24. Who organises this Fair?

The Organiser of the event is Australian Exhibitions & Conferences Pty Ltd in conjunction with Furnishing Events Pty Ltd.