As Asia-Pacific continues to establish itself as the world’s fastest-growing market for hospitality, real estate, and interior design, the key question for brands is no longer just visibility – but access.
FIND – Design Fair Asia 2026, which will take place from 26 to 28 November at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok, Thailand, under the organization of Fiera Milano, positions itself precisely at this intersection: where international design meets the professionals shaping the region’s most significant projects.
More than a traditional trade fair, FIND is evolving into a curated, business-driven platform that connects brands with architects, interior designers, developers, and – most importantly – specifiers who directly influence final project decisions.
Through its strategic collaboration with the Thai Interior Designers’ Association (TIDA), the 2026 edition further strengthens its connection to the local market, creating a unique environment where global meets local – and translates into real partnerships.
We speak with the fair’s General Manager, Carl Press, about the significance of this new direction and the opportunities it creates for brands.
Interview with Carl Press
First of all, we would like to thank Carl Press for his time and valuable insights.
interiors pick (ip): FIND is moving from Singapore to Thailand – what is the strategy behind this decision?
Carl Press (CP): This decision is the result of a highly focused strategy that combines timing, efficiency, and market access.
First, the transition of Singapore Design Week into a biennial format gave us the opportunity to reposition FIND within a timeframe without competition from other major events. Late November, especially in Thailand, is a critical period, as it marks the beginning of the high season as well as the procurement cycle for projects in the following year. In other words, this is when real decisions are being made.
At the same time, Bangkok offers a more efficient environment for brands. Participation costs, third-party vendors, as well as travel and accommodation, are significantly more competitive, allowing for a more meaningful investment in their presence.
Importantly, we are not moving away from mature markets such as Singapore. Through the VIP Buyer Programme, we ensure that top buyers will be present at the exhibition, effectively creating the “best of both worlds.”
Finally, our collaboration with the Thai Interior Designers’ Association (TIDA) reinforces the professional focus of the event, placing emphasis on specifiers – the individuals who ultimately determine what gets implemented in projects.
Overall, the move to Thailand is not simply about a new location, but about creating a more strategic, more efficient, and more targeted platform for brands.
ip: FIND 2026 is positioned as a “gateway” to the Asian market. What makes it so strategic for international brands?
CP: What differentiates FIND is its focus on access, not just exposure. Through our partnership with TIDA, we aren’t just attracting visitors; we are attracting Specifiers. For a Greek brand, for example, it’s not about how many people walk past your booth – it’s about having the lead architect of a new luxury resort in Phuket stand in your space and put your materials in their ‘Spec Book.’ We provide access to the decision-makers of Thailand’s exciting hospitality and branded residence pipeline.
Through our collaborations with other associations like Philippine or Thai Hotel Associations, we also add more decisionmakers to the forefront – the professionals who decide which products are integrated into large-scale projects, from luxury hotels to branded residences.
For a brand, this means going beyond showcasing products – it’s about becoming part of real projects.
ip: How important is the role of TIDA in this new direction?
CP: It is an important part of the Thai interiors community as in Asia, business is built on trust and local endorsement. For an international brand entering Thailand, it is crucial to meet the right contacts.
TIDA, but also the architects, engineers, hospitality professionals attending acting as key links to the local market and its decision-makers. Many of the community members are the ones who write the “spec books” for major projects, so their presence ensures a highly targeted and high-quality audience.
At the same time, this collaboration serves as a strong signal of credibility for international brands entering the Thai and broader regional market.
ip: What role does timing play in relation to market projects?
CP: Timing is very important and ideally should be aligned with the market cycle.
November is when developers and design firms finalize budgets and selections for projects launching the following year. This means FIND takes place exactly at the moment when decisions are made.
It also aligns closely with the hospitality renovation cycle, as hotels prepare their next investment phase.
ip: How does the growth of Thailand and the wider region impact the importance of the exhibition?
CP: Thailand is at the center of a very dynamic growth trajectory.
From luxury real estate and branded residences to large-scale hospitality projects, we are seeing a continuous increase in demand for high-quality design solutions. At the same time, Thailand functions as a hub for the wider ASEAN region.
For brands, this means that through FIND, they gain access not just to one market, but to a broader network of opportunities across Asia.
Για ένα ελληνικό brand δεν έχει σημασία πόσοι άνθρωποι περνούν μπροστά από το περίπτερό του, αλλά το να βρεθεί ο επικεφαλής αρχιτέκτονας ενός νέου luxury resort στο Phuket στον χώρο του και να εντάξει τα υλικά του στο “Spec Book”.
Carl Press, Γενικός Διευθυντής της FIND – Design Fair Asia
ip: What differentiates FIND from other major exhibitions in the region?
CP: FIND is not trying to be the biggest – it aims to be the most targeted.
We focus on a curated environment where the quality of connections matters more than the volume of visitors. Through selective networking, forums, and events, we create the conditions for meaningful collaborations. In a world of mass-market fairs, FIND is where premium brands find their peers and their ideal clients in a sophisticated, professional setting.
That is what ultimately delivers value for brands.
ip: What does participation in FIND 2026 mean in practical terms for a brand?
CP: It means strategic positioning.
Participation is not simply about exhibiting – it’s about entering an ecosystem where future projects are being shaped. It’s an opportunity to connect with the right people, at the right time.
ip: How would you describe FIND 2026 overall?
CP: FIND is where design meets decision-making, but also creatives from across the region.
It brings together exhibition, high-level content, and targeted networking, creating an environment where brands can grow meaningfully within the Asian market.
A curated environment for meaningful growth
In an increasingly competitive market, value is no longer defined by how many people see a brand – but by who sees it.
FIND – Design Fair Asia 2026 creates exactly that environment: a meeting point where the right people, at the right time, lead to real partnerships.
Organized by: Fiera Milano
Date: 26-28 November 2026
Location: Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC)
City / Country: Bangkok, Thailand
website: www.designfairasia.com
CONTACT & INFORMATION
The official exclusive representative of the FIND – Design Fair Asia 2026 exhibition for Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, Greece and Cyprus is Fishmotion (Costas Koutsantonakis).
e-mail: info@fishmotion.com
Contact Person: Costas Koutsantonakis
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