On 17 October, the “Riga Furniture and Interior 2025” exhibition at Ķīpsala will host the second industry business conference organised by the Association of Furniture Manufacturers in Latvia, “The furniture manufacturing industry in Latvia and worldwide. Today and tomorrow”. Industry professionals, raw material suppliers and policymakers are invited to take part, to discuss and share experience together.
The central theme of the conference – human capital and market competitiveness – will address questions such as whether furniture manufacturing in Latvia will continue to be led by people or by robots, how to attract and retain employees, how the new generation is changing workplace culture, and what opportunities are opened up by digitalisation and cooperation with architects and designers. Speakers at the event will include the companies “Nakts mēbeles”, “Bolderāja Serviss”, “Intarsija”, “Peruza”, “Hettich”, “Industriālais krāsu apgāds” and others, along with representatives of the Latvian Designers Union and the Latvian Association of Architects. The conference has become an important platform where professionals not only analyse challenges but also look for shared solutions for the development of the industry.
The event will be valuable for industry company managers, experts, raw material suppliers, partners, and also policymakers and furniture manufacturers operating in both the Latvian and export markets. Professionals will be able to learn about current changes in European regulation and Latvian legislation, as well as about future prospects and development opportunities.
Furniture manufacturing at the turn of an era! – with this inspiring address, Juris Griķis, creator of the brands “Nakts mēbeles”, “Pils matrači” and “Heavens”, will open the conference on 17 October at 10.30.
Human capital: the future workforce in furniture manufacturing
The first part of the day will focus on human capital and the future workforce in furniture manufacturing. Valdis Krauklis, a representative of “Bolderāja serviss”, will talk about strategies for attracting and retaining employees, as well as examples of successful onboarding practice, while Ieva Erele, executive director of the “Association of Furniture Manufacturers in Latvia”, will report on the state of vocational education and development opportunities in the woodworking and furniture manufacturing sector.
Opportunities in the market
As the day continues, conference participants will turn to market opportunities and development trends. Signe Nikolājeva, corporate transactions analyst at “SEB” bank, will talk about the dynamics of the construction market in the Baltic states and their impact on the furniture manufacturing sector. Meanwhile, a discussion on cooperation between manufacturers, architects and designers will seek shared solutions for building a competitive and sustainable environment for the development of the Latvian furniture industry. Taking part in the discussion will be Kristiana Kazarjana, representative of the Latvian Designers Union, Artūrs Lapiņš, representative of the Latvian Association of Architects, and other industry experts.
Market trends
The conference will close with attention on market trends and innovation in furniture manufacturing. Representatives of the companies “Intarsija”, “Peruza”, “Industriālais krāsu apgāds” and “Hettich” will share their experience and their view of the industry's directions of development, offering an insight into the latest technologies, materials and solutions shaping the furniture industry of the future.
The conference at the exhibition is organised by the association “Latvijas Mēbeles”, which uses the brand name “Association of Furniture Manufacturers in Latvia” on social media. The conference is supported by the Forest Development Fund of the Ministry of Agriculture.
To broaden your knowledge, share experience and build new collaborations, register for the conference: www.mittoevents.com/latvijas-mebeles/registracija
The participation fee is EUR 25.
A conference ticket also gives access to the “Riga Furniture and Interior 2025” exhibition!
For further information, please contact Ieva Erele, executive director of the Association of Furniture Manufacturers in Latvia: telephone: +371 26594141, email: ieva.erele@latvianwood.lv
The largest furniture exhibition in the Baltics
From 17 to 19 October, the long-awaited international furniture, interior and design exhibition “Riga Furniture and Interior 2025” will take place at the Ķīpsala Exhibition Centre, presenting the latest furniture collections, original design elements, interior textiles and furniture fittings.
More: www.mebelesundizains.lv
The “Riga Furniture and Interior 2025” exhibition is organised by the international exhibition company “BT 1”: www.bt1.lv