The London event for furniture and decor, May Design Series 2014, makes its mark

May Design Series show, organised by UBM Live Built Environment, closed its doors last May 20, following three days of business, where over 10.000 high-calibre retailers, contract buyers and interior designers attended from across the UK and internationally.

Enjoying the rich and varied offering included buyers from John Lewis, Staffan Tollgard, Nicholas Haslam and Tara Bernerd & Partners, Foster+Partners, Mecanoo Studios, Billings Jackson Design, Buro Happold, Speirs & Major and ChapmanBDSP, Waterman Group, Paul Nulty Lighting Design and Elektra Lighting, Fitch, Reardon Smith Architects, Crest Nicholson, Scott Brown Riggs, Richmond International and Barratt Homes - just a sample of the lucrative attendees.

Many international exhibitors chose May Design Series to meet the UKs leading buyers and were not disappointed:

Tiziana Canzian from Santarossa said: “We’re proud to have exhibited in London for the first time and we have been very pleased with our reception at May Design Series - we will be back next year.”

Tim Robinson, Agent for Gwinner and Koinor said: “The May Design Series provided a great opportunity to showcase some quality product to members of our industry. We wrote orders at the show - leaving us with a lot of follow up work over the coming months.”

Elizabeth Fonter at Pedroso & Osorio added: “We felt that it was very important to exhibit in London so taking part in the May Design Series was an easy decision. This event is a unique opportunity for us to build and maintain relationships with a key group of interior designers and we have had a good number of quality leads. We are delighted to have been a part of the show from the beginning and look forward to growing alongside it.”

Retailers from around the UK and Europe were impressed with the quality and variety of brands exhibiting as well as the comprehensive features at the event, giving positive feedback on the latest edition of the show.

Hannah Fenech, Buyer at Harrods said: “I was pleased to see a selection of British brands that I wouldn’t otherwise get to see at other shows.”

Eion Billings, Billings Jackson Design, said: “The Designers with Light Forum was the perfect setting to discuss and feedback with peers in my industry. May Design Series and mondo arc* really bought the industry together in an open and enjoyable way. Sharing ideas is so important for the lighting industry to stay ahead of the game.”

Tricia Carroll, a member of BIID from Tricia Carroll Designs, said: “I have been impressed by the quality of suppliers and it's great to see a selection of lighting and decorative designers exhibiting. That paired with the exhibition lay out and how easy it is to get here - it's been a successful trip.”

Kellie Brown, Furniture Buyer at Arcadia said: “I thought the show was inspirational. London ExCeL is a fantastic space, much better than the NEC and the fact that it is London is much more appealing than Birmingham.”

DX Loves tag proved fiercely popular at the show with 20 brands awarded for design excellence. Highlight included Shane Holland with Wilde Cage Lamp, Muunlight: Lightcatcher pendant and Calia Italia: Hip Hop sofa.

Andy Stuart, Group Director concluded: “This year‘s May Design Series has been a great success and I am immensely proud of the team executing such a fantastic show. In the last few months not only have we delivered a triumphant final INTERIORS UK with strong visitor numbers, we’ve successfully delivered a preview of The Furniture Show at May Design Series to quality retailers and buyers doing big business. A high proportion of our visitors were keen decision makers across both the retail and contract markets with independent and multiple retailers and interior designers and more all in attendance. This year's May Design Series has built firm foundations on which to take the show forward with 65% of space re-booked for 2015.”

Source: May Design Series

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