MIFF 2025 Exhibition
Happy days
Year after year, we keep repeating it, The MIFF show is unique in the world of trade shows in all sectors. This meeting at the end of the world is such a rare moment that these days spent in this very special place never cease to enchant us, so much so that in this report, we wanted to take you on our journey and share our experience with you. We will therefore take you with us to the end of the world, to Kuala Lumpur, the beating heart of a Malaysia that never ceases to amaze us in many ways.
But before sharing with you what we saw and heard, let's first look at the results and statistics of this 2025 edition which only confirms the steady rise of the show and its success in a very dynamic region. For this 2025 edition, 19,556 professionals from the sector passed through the doors of the two exhibition centers, namely the WTCKL (acronym for World Trade Center Kuala Lumpur) and the MITEC (Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Center) where they were able to discover the new products and innovations of the 724 exhibitors on 100,000 m2 spread over the two sites. As a reminder, the first named is the birthplace of the show. It is here that the the MIFF trade show and it hasn't fundamentally changed much, to our great satisfaction. This one doesn't resemble at all the idea that one might have of a modern show, with its somewhat outdated architecture, but it has a soul, a history. We will come back to this in our report. It's quite the opposite for the other center, which is a recently built building, ultra modern, ultra functional. Still, the originality of this offer spread over two sites, has found its place, and fully seduces everyone. Some prefer the first, especially the historical exhibitors, others have benefited from the second, most often because the spaces were available there. Still, everyone found what they were looking for, if we look at the satisfaction index, since visitors showed indices above 90% regarding the relevance of the offer, the level of service provided by both exhibitors and organizers, the figures varying from 92 to 94%, which is quite considerable. Of course, the general consequence of these good results augurs well for the future, since no less than 86% of all these people have already decided to return next year.
Carton plein pour l’international
The other major source of satisfaction for the organizers is the progress of the internationalization of the show. They had made it one of their priorities. To this end, they carried out considerable in-depth work. They are fully rewarded, and here again, the statistics speak for themselves. Already, in terms of exhibitors, since there were 354 from Malaysia and 388 from abroad, spread across 12 countries and regions, the majority coming unsurprisingly from the countries of the region, namely those of Southeast Asia. In any case, this very well-balanced offer between local and other exhibitors clearly attracted visitors from all horizons, since they represented a whopping 120 countries and regions. These remarkable results from all points of view, thus propel the MIFF trade show in the Top 10 of major international platforms. This is an absolutely remarkable result, but there is even more to satisfy the organizers. Indeed, and as everyone knows, a trade show is above all a platform for meetings, and above all a privileged place for commercial exchanges. This is how no less than 1.31 billion dollars of purchases and orders were made during this 2025 edition. These results are unequivocal and prove the effectiveness of the platform in terms of turnover. Under these conditions, the exhibitors left with a broad smile, as evidenced by the satisfaction indices since 72% appreciated the opportunities in terms of business, and 92% say they are determined to return next year, stating that they particularly appreciated the efficiency of the organization and the reception conditions, with very high indices varying between 83 and 86%. It is therefore a general satisfaction that the exhibitors display for this 2025 edition.
Animations and digitalization
However, achieving such convincing results cannot be improvised. First of all, you need a coherent, dynamic offer that can attract visitors in the short and medium term. To this end, the organizers have always increased the number of seminars, events, and meetings in order not only to inform visitors but also to create connections. Mission accomplished again this year, where manufacturers and industrialists were given the opportunity to compete, through various widely rewarded competitions. This was mainly the case for young designers who were given the opportunity to demonstrate their talent and know-how, by working on the following theme: “Furniture inspired by fashion” during the event named MIFF FDC. There were 335 of them participating! They also proved that the Malaysian furniture industry is perfectly in line with the most fashionable trends in decoration and modern home design. Creation was therefore, once again, an element of utmost importance. Adapting to modernism is a desire of the MIFF, and this was proven again this year, especially since the organizers had set up the MUAR Hall, a platform designed to allow members of the MFA association to develop their brands for export through the diversification of marketing channels and the promotion of strengthening sustainable development. Finally, as part of the key events, this year saw the start of the KL iDesign week which aims to elevate Asian design to the global stage as part of a collaboration between the MIFF and the Guangzhou Design week. Finally, the MFID was present again this year, highlighting the most beautiful interior and professional creations. The other strategic element of a future-oriented show was the major turning point of digitalization, which demonstrated its tremendous opportunities during the Covid crisis, a real accelerator. The latter gave rise to the term hybridization and, above all, opened up many avenues in the way of visiting the show. The visitor can thus obtain a perfectly detailed plan, organize their research, their schedule, arrange appointments, take orders or view products. With AI on the way, the opportunities will multiply more than ever and we haven't seen anything yet.
This is the more than positive assessment that the organizers can draw up at the end of this edition. from the MIFF show which is now one of the major global events for furniture fairs in its entirety, including interior and exterior decoration and design, office equipment, and components. The offer now covers a wide range. However, the main goal is not volume, but quality, innovation and design. To date, we can say that the specifications have been met and that the mission to continue to propel the MIFF ever higher is accomplished.
Memories from the end of the world
As promised in the preamble to this report, we decided to take you along with our reporter for this journey to this unique lounge. Like any self-respecting trip, it began on a beautiful late winter night at Charles de Gaulle Airport, waiting to take off on a very long flight. This is how all long journeys beyond our borders begin.
Thursday, February 27
It's almost 11 p.m. and the plane finally lands at the gigantic Kuala Lumpur airport, simply called KLIA. As always after such a journey, I'm exhausted, especially since we've had a long and tedious layover in Singapore. Then comes the painful and obligatory customs formality after an interminable wandering through the very long corridors. I can't wait to leave this place as soon as possible and collect my luggage. Finally, a stamp frees me and I'm pleasantly surprised to find my luggage already rolling along the conveyor belt. Efficient service is not an empty phrase in Asia. But relief finally comes when I see our hosts waiting for me as expected, with their smiles and extreme kindness. They lead me to the car parked outside. This is the moment when I first come into contact with the outside temperature, and as always, I feel a little ridiculous in my Western clothes, while everyone else is in T-shirts. As always, the Malaysian climate surprises me. I'm suffocating. Fortunately, my friendly driver takes me smoothly to my hotel. The comfort of the sedan and the air conditioning plunge me into a pleasant torpor. End of the first act.
Friday, February 28
A day of rest and recovery for many foreign visitors like me. These long flights are definitely exhausting, and I take the opportunity to hang around my room, a little disoriented by jet lag, until my stomach reminds me to order. Like all travelers, I am staying in a comfortable hotel located a few floors from a shopping center where there are many restaurants. I take the opportunity to taste the delicious local cuisine. After a restorative nap, I decide to go and inspect the place. There is only one floor to go up, then you just have to cross a passage to find yourself in front of the historic building of the WTCKL. It takes a few minutes, and I barely have time to feel the intense heat over these few meters. Everything is easy when you come to visit. the MIFF. I venture a little into the premises, where the exhibitors are busy setting up their stands. I decide to let them work, and take a taxi to take the pulse of the city. Unsurprisingly, the traffic is heavy, and the driver stops me at the foot of the famous and superb Twin Towers. I find a capital full of life, which continues to modernize with many ultra-modern buildings under construction, where luxury stores and shops rub shoulders, even if these tend to disappear. In this city where all cultures live, there reigns a calm, a bit of a break from other Asian capitals. After having dinner in one of these wonderful restaurants that are found everywhere, I decide to return by metro, which drops me off at the foot of my hotel. I fall asleep and a busy day awaits me. End of the second act.
Miff 2025 Show
Gallery
Saturday, March 1st
I wake up feeling rested. As always, my file is in my room. So no worries about passes, schedules, etc. Everything is clearly laid out, as always with the impeccable organization. It only takes me a few minutes to walk through the doors of the show, where intense activity reigns, but without the slightest feeling of stress, just like this very welcoming Malaysia. However, I don't have time to linger. An important mission awaits me since I am a member of the jury for the competition for the best-presented stand. After a very detailed briefing, we set off to examine the layout proposed by each participating exhibitor. We also have the choice of retaining a few that might have caught our attention. The task is tough, there are many applicants, and we spend long hours marking according to a well-defined scale, on both sites. The choice will be difficult, especially since the decorations tend to be similar. Exhibitors still seem to be trying to maximize their exhibition space a little too much. We feel like they're there primarily to sell, and we can't blame them. Nevertheless, we end up drawing up a shortlist of about twenty exhibitors, to be reviewed the next day.
After this long day, we find ourselves at the “Welcome party” Always as warm, just like the organizers. Just a small objection. Why did they serve us a Western buffet, and not this wonderful local cuisine. Still, this welcoming evening is a delicious moment that makes me forget the fatigue of a very busy day. End of the second act.
Sunday, March 2nd
733 / 5 000 I meet up with our group for a second round of the track on both sites. We will now have to decide on the final ranking, based on a short list that we established the day before. Generally speaking, our opinions are the same, and we set off again for a more in-depth examination of each of the selected stands on both sites. After this second round, we proceed to the final selection. Once again, there is unanimity around the winners that we have examined at length, apart from a few objections that we arbitrate very quickly. We submit the results to the organization who will prepare the “PowerPoint slides” for the awards ceremony. It is time to return to the hotel to prepare for the famous Envoyer des commentaires Résultats de traduction disponibles “Buyers Night”. This is held in a huge, ultra-modern room on the site of the MITEC. Everything is perfectly arranged. The shuttles are running at full capacity, and we're perfectly set up for a high-quality show. The banquet is remarkable; the guests quickly bond from table to table. It's a party, the real thing. The icing on the cake is a raffle offering some wonderful high-tech gifts. As usual, I don't win anything. The evening ends on the dance floor. It's euphoric, everyone is happy, and I can only admire the organizers' work. End of the second act.
Monday, March 3rd
Here I am already on the last day. Time has passed so quickly. However, the program promises to be busy, including the award ceremonies for the various competitions, including the MFID which also ends with a banquet. I take advantage of a few free hours to visit the show once more and complete my photo report. As I wander through the aisles, I notice that the overall offering is truly high quality, and the volume of turnover proves it. I also see that design continues to take an increasingly important place, and that it allows for the creation of bridges with Western trends. This meeting between the South East and the West is an aesthetic success destined for a bright future. Now it is time for the awards, ours, but also those of my colleagues in charge of the competition dedicated to the most technically innovative products. This ceremony takes place in one of the event rooms of the MITEC. It is superb, the scenography perfectly adjusted, and the atmosphere warm. After these festivities, return to the WTCKL, for another award ceremony, that of MFID, Dedicated to the most beautiful interior and commercial designs. The animation is named "drum beater" by Iko In, its very dynamic creator, against a backdrop of high-tech staging. The icing on the cake is that the dinner is Malaysian. It's late and the day has been busy. I take the opportunity to stroll around the city despite the nighttime heat, which I ultimately appreciate. It's time to go home and pack my bags. End of the third day.
Monday, March 4
The party is over. Once again, time has passed too quickly. Whatever happens, this 2025 edition of the MIFF is once again a great success on all levels. The organizers achieved their objectives, the exhibitors too, and the visitors left happy with their trip. As for me, I can only take my hat off, once again, to the teams running the show. Rigorous professionalism and a warm welcome make this event a unique moment in the world. Looking forward to the days of March 4 to 7, 2026.
The MFID competition
A very high level, and congratulations to Iko
Il se nomme Iko In. Ce jeune homme toujours en mouvements nous semble monté sur ressorts, tant il est dynamique, vif, et surtout plein d’idées, d’imagination. Il l’a prouvé.
Once again this year, masterfully hosting the awards ceremony for the MFID acronym of My Favorite International Designers, qu’il a crée et qui a rencontré un succès remarquable à tous points de vue. Ce concours était destiné aux meilleures créations en termes de design selon deux catégories. L’une désignée au design commercial et l’autre au design d’habitation. Après une première sélection de dossiers, ceux-ci sont soumis à différents membres d’un jury international dont j’ai eu l’honneur d’en faire partie. Quelques jours avant le salon, ce cher Iko, m’a transmis les dossiers des compétiteurs afin de leur attribuer une notation selon des critères préétablis. Ce n’est rien de dire que la tâche fût ardue, tant ceux-ci étaient d’une qualité exceptionnelle dans les deux catégories. Chacun d’entre nous a choisi en son âme et conscience, selon son propre cahier des charges en suivant le système de notation pré défini. Toujours est t’il qu’un classement a été établi et que les choix de chacun des membre du jury ont fait consensus. Mais au delà des classements, c’est le niveau général qui était remarquable. Iko et son équipe ont fait un travail de sélection rigoureux, et il faut l’en féliciter. En tout cas le concours MFID has definitely found its place within the MIFF.
