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 type on my Visitor Access Card is not correct?
11. What if I forget my Visitor Access 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. Will there be any special events?
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. How many exhibitors are there?
23. Can I exhibit at the Fair?
24. Who organises this Fair?

1. What is going on at the Fair?

Key industry manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and suppliers will be displaying the latest and best of Australian furniture and furnishings over 4 days at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from the 16 – 19 July 2009. Features include an International Industry Seminar Series, Gala Dinner and a special design and innovation feature called ‘VIVID – Vibrant Visions in Design’.

Co-located with FURNITEX at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre is DECORATION + DESIGN Melbourne, Australasia's most comprehensive soft furnishings, fabric and interior products Trade Fair. Find out more www.decorationdesign.com.au

2. When is the Fair open?

• Thursday 16 July 2009	9am – 5pm	Trade Only
• Friday 17 July 2009	9am – 5pm	Trade Only
• Saturday 18 July 2009	10am – 5pm	Trade Only
• Sunday 19 July 2009	10am – 5pm	Trade Only

3. Who can attend?

FURNITEX is a trade only event from Thursday 16 July to Sunday 19 July 2009.

An ABN number will be required to register as a trade visitor.

Admission is strictly restricted to professional persons working within the furniture, furnishing or related industries. Business identification may be requested upon entry eg. Business card.

4. How much does it cost to attend?

Trade Visitor – after registering attendance is free.

5. What sort of products will I see?

You will see thousands of new furniture and furnishing releases including Bedroom, Lounge, Dining and Outdoor Furniture, Occasional Furniture, Fabrics, Lighting/Lamps, Floor coverings, Rugs, Artwork/Framing and Objets d’art.

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

Trade Visitor - Yes you may register online or by faxing the Free Trade Fair Registration that is attached to the Trade Invitation to 03 9654 5596. If you wish to receive a Free Trade Invitation please call 03 9654 7773. Trade Invitations will be available from mid May 2009

Click here registration online

Public Guests – No, do not register.

7. What happens when I register?

If you register onlineyou 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 commence being mailed from mid June 2009. 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 Card will be mailed from mid June 2009. If you do not receive your access card, you can collect another one from the Trade Registration Desk onsite

10. What if the name, company or industry type on my Visitor Access 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 Visitor Access Card?

Registered visitors may obtain a replacement Visitor Access Card at the registration counter without filling out another registration form. You will already be on our database. Just 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 pre-registration so that you can avoid any queues. All onsite registrations will require business identification.

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

Relevant identification includes: business card, 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 in furniture making may attend the Fair on either Saturday 18 or Sunday 19 July 2009 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 furnitex@aec.net.au

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

As this is strictly a Trade Faie entry is restricted to Trade Only. 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. Will there be any special events?

Yes there is a range of special events put on to inform and entertain you whilst visiting the Fair. The 2009 features will be announced closer to the fair, below lists the features for 2008.

DECORATION + DESIGN Melbourne
Co-located with FURNITEX at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre DECORATION + DESIGN Melbourne is an exclusive soft furnishings, fabrics and interior products Trade Fair, attracting key buyers and decision makers in the interiors industry. Find out more www.decorationdesign.com.au

International Industry Seminar Series
6 inspirational seminars about key topics for the design industry were presented by international experts. Click here to find out more

Furnitex Gala Dinner & Industry Awards
Premier industry event, offering an excellent networking opportunity in a relaxed, entertaining environment. The evening includes industry awards in the following categories; Dining Furniture, Lounge Furniture, Outdoor Furniture, Occasional Furniture, A Bedding Ensemble, Bedroom Furniture & Joyce Manufacturer of the Year. Click here to find out more

The Australian New Product Parade
See what Australia has to offer. Featuring 100s of new products from Australian manufacturers never before seen on the retail floor, the Australian New Product Parade is the Central hub of Furnitex. A new feature of the Australian New Product Parade is the Australian Manufacturers Gallery, which showcases hero pieces from industry leaders.

VIVID – Vibrant Visions in Design
Professional, Commercial and Student Product Designer Showcase. VIVID is a design initiative to foster the development of Australian furniture designers’ and to increase the opportunities to expose designer talent to the Australian and International furniture industry. Situated in a centrally located showcase at FURNITEX, VIVID is fast becoming a major visitor attraction at the Fair. Click here to find out more

18. Where is the Fair being held?

FURNITEX is being held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, 2 Clarendon St, Southbank.

For full venue location details plus travel and accommodation options click here.

19. How do i get to the Venue?

Melbourne Exhibition Centre, 2 Clarendon St, Southbank. 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

For full details and travel options for getting to the venue click here

20. Are there special travel packages available?

For special deals on Travel and Accommodation we recommend that you contact:
The Lido Group
Tel 1800 817 339 (within Australia)
Tel 02 8585 0808 (International calls)
Fax 02 8585 0802
Email exhibitions@lido.com.au
Web 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 Australian Government Immigration site at www.immi.gov.au Remember if you need to make a Visa Application make sure you do so well in advance as there is usually a processing period involved.

22. How many exhibitors are there?

There will be 600+ exhibitors from Australia showcasing the latest furniture and furnishing products.

Click here to see our full list of 2008 Exhibitors

23. Can I exhibit at the Fair?

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

24. Who organises this Fair?

The Organiser of the event is Australian Exhibitions & Conferences Pty Ltd in conjunction with Furnishing Events Pty Ltd and the Furnishing Industry Association of Australia (Vic/Tas) Inc.