Returning for its landmark fifth edition this May, Hive Furniture Show 2025 reaffirmed its status as the Middle East and Africa’s foremost trade platform for furniture, interiors, and design-driven business. Hosted at Expo Center Sharjah, this year’s show was not only larger in scale, with over 227 exhibiting manufacturers and 7,000+ buyers, but deeper in content, richer in vision, and unmistakably international in scope.
From its striking rebrand to the enhanced matchmaking systems and streamlined venue zoning, everything about HIVE 2025 reflected clarity and purpose. It wasn’t just a trade fair but a marketplace of ideas, innovation, and global connection.
Expanding the Conversation at Hive Conclave
The return of Hive Conclave brought thought leadership to the center of the exhibition. With themes such as The Rise of Conscious Design, Sustainable Sourcing, Retail Reinvented, and Design Psychology, the two-day forum offered more than surface-level conversation—it invited critical thinking around the evolving global furniture ecosystem.
Celebrated design visionary Karim Rashid opened the Conclave, discussing design democratization and the need for more emotionally intelligent products and spaces. His keynote was followed by a dynamic session titled The Future of Design, led by Guillermo Blanco (World Design Team), setting the tone for a series of timely and impactful discussions.
Sneha Mhatre Sancheti (Dot2Design), Nikita Phulwani (By Mumkin), and Zia Bhat (Silver & Siam) explored consumer behavior and aesthetics in Furniture’s Black Book: Trends, Designs & Insider Secrets, moderated by Abdul Kaleem of UAE Enterprises. In a later panel, Justine Welch of Arper engaged in a forward-looking session on Smart, Modular & Sustainable Interiors, while Pir Arkam of Proto21 highlighted the potential of 3D printing in Disruptive Influence in Furniture Manufacturing.
Callie Van Der Merwe and Justin Wells delved into neuroarchitecture and hospitality design, while Sarah Sham, Fatemeh Zihagh, and Shaju Thomas addressed the challenges and opportunities in Customized Furniture for the Modern Consumer. Moderators like Bhakti More, Ali Soltan Alian, and Zilahi Imre brought essential structure to each exchange, ensuring the dialogue remained rooted in regional realities while maintaining global relevance.
An International Marketplace of Design
Across the exhibition halls, Hive 2025 welcomed a compelling mix of returning exhibitors and first-time participants. MK Kabbani Furniture (UAE) and Furniture Kraft (India) drew attention with their multi-category collections spanning bedrooms to outdoor solutions. Royal Saraya (Egypt) and Kristal Home (Turkey) demonstrated how traditional manufacturing meets contemporary aesthetics.
First-time exhibitors from Singapore, Egypt, and the UK brought fresh offerings, while returning names like MAC Home (UAE), HTL International (Singapore), and MLM China Ltd (Hong Kong) showcased expansive ranges in living, dining, and modular solutions. Turkish companies, including Konfor, Orizma, Sofaland, Kapris, and Arye Sandalye, delivered strong presentations that reflected the country’s long-standing expertise in upholstery and woodwork.
China’s influence was prominent across halls 5 and 6, with standout brands such as Dongguan Mumu Woodwork, Anji Shenglin Furniture, Fujian Eastway, and Zhangzhou Freehome providing scalable, ready-to-assemble collections for residential and commercial applications. The Dongguan Pavilion, presented in partnership with the China National Furniture Association, facilitated targeted B2B networking sessions, reinforcing HIVE’s strategic role in bridging Asia with the MEA market.
Other noteworthy names included:
- Quantum Bazaar (UAE) with its refined recliners and outdoor sets
- Alliance Handicraft (Vietnam) and Fujian Eastway (China) presenting artisanal wooden collections
- Active Design (Turkey) and Bravo Home bringing bespoke hospitality furnishings
- Vettore, Sanat Mobilya, and CMS Mobilya, offering tailored design services and turnkey solutions
This year also saw growth in specialized categories—such as hardware, accessories, and automation—with exhibitors like Hongfeng Zhiyang, Hostars Technology, and Guangdong Honwin underscoring the industry’s expanding technological landscape.
A Platform with Purpose
The real triumph of Hive 2025 lay in its ability to align business objectives with cultural and creative insight. Whether forging partnerships, previewing new collections, or engaging with voices shaping the industry’s future, Hive offered a space for meaningful exchange. The event’s transformation from a regional fair to a globally respected platform felt not only strategic but inevitable.
The Middle East and Africa are no longer emerging markets, they are now the center of furniture trade’s next chapter.
