Ofitec 2008 will focus its exhibition on the new work and space organisation culture

Between 26th and 29th February 2008 The fair will present the latest ideas in furniture and equipment for offices and working environments, adapted to different business management models. We might highlight the strong presence of Portuguese companies at this edition.

The halls at FERIA DE MADRID will provide the setting, between 26th and 28th February next year, for the staging of OFITEC 2008, the International Trade Exhibition of Office and Contract Furniture and Equipment. At this ninth edition, a number of leading companies from Spain and abroad will present the latest products and services that have been adapted to different business management models. This integral and innovative exhibition will focus on the new work and space organisation culture, which is perfectly in line with current trends. 

Multifunctional rooms and more diaphanous and flexible spaces designed to make the worker's environment more comfortable, furniture adapted to technological developments, greater attention to the concepts of sustainability and mobility and considerable care with regard to quality standards in all equipment characterise the office furniture of the 21st century, opening the way for manufacturers to expand their operations over the next few years. We might also highlight the favourable climate within the office furniture sector in Spain and the growing investment in office buildings, especially in Madrid and Barcelona, this being another promising source of business in the medium term for the exhibiting companies at OFITEC.

In line with its last edition, OFITEC 2008 will seek to expand the participation of all segments involved in space equipment and distribution, including lighting, flooring and technical roofing, not to mention sign-posting and modular partitions. Alongside these segments, the fair will present a comprehensive overview of the latest new features in furniture, including furniture for upper management, furniture for group concerns, foldaway furniture, chairs and armchairs, not to mention screens, accessories and complements.

The fair organisers are also working on promoting the event's international dimension, featuring a number of extensive promotional campaigns that aim to boost the attendance of both exhibitors and trade visitors from abroad. In this respect, we might highlight Portugal's excellent response, in the form of a strong delegation of companies at the next edition and, under the heading of visitors, the implementation of two buyer programmes organised in collaboration with FAMO, the Associated Manufacturers of Office and Contract Furniture and Equipment and the Chamber of Trade and Industry of Madrid, respectively. Both measures, which are aimed at the main markets of interest to the fair's exhibiting companies, will focus on inviting professionals from England, France and the Nordic Countries, clients with a considerable purchasing potential when it comes to promoting exports from the sector. At its last edition, OFITEC recorded the attendance of 1,631 buyers from abroad, out of a total of 10,640 visiting professionals, a figure that represented a 36% increase in the event's international dimension.

Furthermore, whilst launching the marketing campaign for OFITEC, the fair organisers have initiated their elaboration of a complete programme of coinciding activities, with a view to offering professionals up-to-date and attractive information and boosting the participation of architects and designers, in particular.  In this respect, a Stand Design Competition has been organised, along with a series of exhibitions and conferences, which will be organised in collaboration with COAM, the Official College of Architects of Madrid, and SIDI, the International Interior Design Selection, among other bodies. 

Organized by IFEMA and promoted by FAMO, Association of Office Furniture Manufacturers, OFITEC has established itself as the top reference point for this sector in Spain, and as the second most important equipment fair for offices in Europe. A trade meeting mainly targeted at architects, architect's offices, quantity surveyors, interior architects, decorators, distributors, and purchasing managers that will be held in Halls 1, 3, 5 and 7 at the FERIA DE MADRID.