HOSTED BUYER PROGRAM
1. How do I apply for a place on the Furnitex Connect Hosted Buyer Program?
You can apply online via our website www.furnitex.com.au.
Alternatively, you may receive a nomination form from one of the many partners
working with Furnitex Connect to join the Hosted Buyer Program as a guest in their
Hosted Buyer Group.
2. What are the qualifying criteria?
The Buyer criteria includes, but is not limited to:
 Minimum $1 million annual retail budget
 Global/National/State Purchasing Manager
 Category specialists in procurement, purchasing and sourcing
 Make budgetary and policy decisions across furniture and furnishings
3. Where and when is the exhibition taking place?
Furnitex Connect is moving for 2015 and will now take place in the Royal Exhibition
Building, Carlton Gardens, Melbourne. The event has also changed its dates and will
take place on July 9 – 12, 2015.
4. Do I have to attend the show for all four days on the Hosted Buyer Program?
No, as an Australian Hosted Buyer you can choose to attend the show for just two
days, as long as you complete your pre-scheduled appointments. However, your
Hosted Buyer badge is valid for the entire duration of the event and so if your diary
frees up you are always welcome to come on the day that you have not registered to
attend the event.
5. What is included in the Hosted Buyer Program?
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Online personal diary to manage and maximise your time at the show
Pre-scheduled appointments with exhibitors of your choice
Exclusive Hosted Buyer conference sessions during the show
Return economy flights from selected Australian airports
Accommodation (bed and breakfast basis only) in a minimum 4-Star hotel if
required for up to two nights
Access to the Australian Contemporary Emerging Designer (ACE) Awards on
Saturday, July 11
Access to an exclusive Hosted Buyer Lounge with complimentary refreshments
Pre-show site tours of major Melbourne-based furniture manufacturers and
distributors
6. What is not included in the Hosted Buyer Program?
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Travel insurance
Transfers
All food and beverage expenses not taken within the program or Hosted Buyer
Lounge
Hotels and flight upgrades
Additional hotel nights
Personal expenses such as mini bar, additional drinks, telephone, etc.
7. What am I committed to as a Hosted Buyer?
All that is required from Hosted Buyers, in return for all the benefits we offer, is to preschedule five appointments with exhibitors of your choice per day of attendance using
the event appointment system.
8. What is a pre-scheduled appointment?
A pre-scheduled appoint is a 25 minute one-to-one appointment between a Hosted
Buyer and exhibitor(s) of your choice. This equates to less than three hours of your
time per day. This must be booked through the event online diary system. You can
search through a list of all the exhibitors and choose who you would like to arrange an
appointment with; our system will then match available meeting times in both your
diaries.
9. Do I have to pre-schedule appointments in advance?
Yes, pre-scheduled appointments are a pre-requisite of attending Furnitex Connect as
a Hosted Buyer. Hosted Buyers will be asked, during registration, to confirm that they
will comply and make appointments using the event online diary. We reserve the right
to cancel people from the Program or charge a cancellation fee to any Buyer who
refuses to pre-schedule appointments.
10. What if I miss a pre-scheduled appointment?
Please visit that exhibitor at the earliest opportunity to re-arrange the appointment so
that they do not list you as a ‘missed appointment’. If Hosted Buyers miss two or more
of their pre-scheduled appointments we reserve the right to charge up to $250.
11. Am I able to attend joint appointments with my colleague?
Hosted Buyers who attend with colleagues are expected to attend the majority of their
appointments individually with separate exhibitors.
12. Is there a cancellation fee?
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Cancellations received before May 29, 2015 will not incur a fee.
Cancellations received after May 29, 2015 will incur a cancellation fee up to $250.
HOSTED BUYER PROGRAM
13. I would like to attend some Conference sessions, what should I do?
All the Hosted Buyer Conference sessions can be booked via your online diary and
will be filled on a ‘first come first served’ basis. Therefore, we recommend that you
register and book early to avoid disappointment, once these have been booked in to
your diary you can pre-schedule your appointments around them. There is no cost for
these sessions.
14. What are the pre-show site visits?
On Wednesday, July 8, 2015 we will be running exclusive Hosted Buyer site visits.
The visit will start with a networking breakfast followed by coach transfers between
three plants. Hosted Buyers must register to attend the site visits and will be expected
to attend for the duration of the visit that is organised for all participants to be
eligible for complimentary accommodation for that night if required.
15. How will I know what my travel arrangements are?
Your travel arrangements will be confirmed to you by the official event travel provider
by email. You will be advised of your accommodation details nearer to the event.
16. When will I receive my travel documents?
Most air tickets will be issued as e-tickets and will be sent to you by email once booked.
17. What should I do if I need to change my travel arrangements?
Contact the Hosted Buyer
[email protected].
Manager
at
Expertise
Events
by
email
–
Please note that changes to flights are subject to availability and Buyers will be
responsible for any additional costs incurred. If further nights’ accommodation are
required this will be up to the Hosted Buyer to book and pay for these extra nights.
18. When will I receive by entry badge?
Your e-badge will be sent as a link in your Hosted Buyer confirmation email. You will
need to print and bring this to the event or show it on your mobile where it will be
scanned to print your official event badge.
19. What do I do if I need to cancel my attendance?
You must cancel your attendance at Furnitex Connect in writing by email to
[email protected].
This will not be effective until you have received a written acknowledgement from
Furnitex Connect. Please refer to above regarding applicable cancellation fees.
HOSTED BUYER PROGRAM
20. Who do I contact if I have any problems or queries in the run-up to the show?
Please contact the Hosted Buyer Manager by email at [email protected] or if
you are attending as part of a group you can contact your group coordinator.
21. What do I need to take to the event?
Please make sure that you have a copy of your e-ticket or your travel documents. You
can print your diaries or alternatively you will be able to view all your appointments
and conference sessions via the online diary website on your mobile device.
22. How do I contact the Hosted Buyer team once they are at the event?
Please come to the Hosted Buyer Lounge where will be happy to help you.
HOSTED BUYER PROGRAM