A stationery event of note
Decade of growth
In 2010, the Hong Kong International Stationery Fair celebrates its 10th anniversary. It has grown with the industry and it has been, in turn, a catalyst for industry growth. At the last show, buyers from 108 countries and regions came to trade, boosting business for over 220 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions.
Effective choice
In an increasingly competitive economic environment, it is not enough to create ever more innovative products. Suppliers must choose the most effective platform from which to generate a response to these products. The Hong Kong International Stationery Fair has the timing, the location and the organisation to impact positively on your business.
Easy targets for buyers
At the Hong Kong International Stationery Fair, buyers do not need to look hard to find you. The fair is zoned into categories, making each exhibitor easily accessible to buyers. In 2010, a great diversity of products will be accommodated in three zones: Children's Stationery & School Supplies Zone, Paper & Printing Products Zone, and Office Supplies Zone.
Keeping ahead of the market
Information events at the Hong Kong International Stationery Fair are designed to shed expert light on market developments and design trends. More relaxed information gathering takes place at social networking occasions.
Double the opportunity
In 2010, the HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair and the HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show will be held concurrently with the Stationery Fair. Many of these buyers have an interest in sourcing stationery, especially the items which can be considered giftware, such as licensed products featuring cartoon or film characters popular with young consumers.
Professional organisation
Both the organisers of the Hong Kong International Stationery Fair - Messe Frankfurt and Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) - have international reputations based on many years of experience. They have the contacts, the resources and the knowhow to reach buyers with advertising campaigns, direct mail, roadshows and trade fair participation in both established and emerging markets.
Growth sectors
In recent years, suppliers have benefited from the increased demand for computer consumables and accessories used in both the domestic and commercial environments. Consumers are also showing considerable interest in luxury, design-driven products. This trend has taken the international industry into gifts and premiums with great success.
Hong Kong – The Gateway to the Chinese Mainland Market
The Chinese mainland is an important market in its own right, which has been growing by leaps and bounds in the past decade. Not only are incomes rising, but people are also becoming more aspirational and desiring better quality, well-designed products. As other markets stagnate or even shrink, suppliers can find new opportunities in the Chinese mainland. Rupert Steiner, writing in the UK's Daily Mail, notes, "Firms best-equipped to weather the financial downturn are those in diverse markets that include China..." However, China's size and diversity can be daunting for overseas companies, but Hong Kong offers the perfect stepping stone into this market. Participation in Hong Kong International Stationery Fair not only puts you into direct contact with buyers from the Chinese mainland, but it also enables contact with Hong Kong companies with expertise in the Chinese mainland.
Hong Kong Again Ranked World's Freest Economy
Hong Kong remains the world's freest economy, for the 12th year in a row, according to the findings of the Fraser Institute of Canada's "Economic Freedom of the World: 2008 Annual Report". It pays tribute to Hong Kong's unswerving commitment to free trade and open markets, and the elimination of barriers to trade and investment. For example, it enjoys low corporate and salaries taxes, no sales tax, and it is considered one of the easiest places in the world to set up a business – all of which make Hong Kong attractive to companies around the world that invest in or trade with the Special Administrative Region. It was also ranked the world’s freest economy for the 15th consecutive year by The Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal.
Hear What Exhibitors Say
“This is our first time to exhibit here – we manufacture stickers. This is a famous event with good name value that can offer us new opportunities. We have seen buyers from different parts of the world including Europe, Middle East and Asia, and have already had three or four serious enquiries from companies in Japan, the US and Singapore.”
Lim Tae-Su, Foreign Trade Manager, Latech Korea, Korea
“We have been exhibiting here for four years as the bulk of our Nu Design label collection revolves around stationery items such as agendas, notebooks, pens and pen cases and here we can meet very focused stationery buyers. We have met buyers from all over the world this week, including Australia, the US, UK, Turkey and Japan. This fair always attracts a lot of Japanese buyers. I am confident that relationships will develop as a result.”
Christine Ma, Manager, Creative Premium Company Limited, Hong Kong
“We like to take part in the Hong Kong International Stationery Fair because our products are very appropriate to this market and the buyers at this event are specialised. Visitors to our booth this year have mainly come from Europe. We do find new buyers here, but it also gives us the opportunity to keep in contact with our existing buyers.”
Sirisopar Chairiwcharoen, Assistant Marketing Manager, Nara Factory Co., Ltd., Thailand
Hear What Buyers Say
“We are the largest contract stationer in Canada, and are owned by OfficeMax of the US. This is my first time at this fair. One of our strategic initiatives is to find innovative new products, in order to bring colour and style to the world of office stationery. I have already found about 12 to 15 exhibitors with interesting products, and the next step is to have our Shenzhen office make contact with them. As far as the logistics of coming to the fair, I must say that everything has gone very well.”
Chris Henwood, Merchandise Director - Office Supplies, Grand&Toy, Canada
“Erste is one of the biggest banks in Central Europe. I have come here for the first time because we want to explore the possibility of sourcing products direct from suppliers. These include corporate promotional items and stationery products. I’ve seen lots of things that I like, including calendars that we can use as gifts for customers.”
Nikoletta Kovacs, Sourcing Specialist, Central Purchasing, Erste Bank RT, Hungary
“This is the first time I have visited this fair - the main reason for coming is that around 20 percent of our existing suppliers are located in the Chinese mainland, so we can meet them here and see their new lines all at the same time as well as make contact with new factories.”
Tatsumi Kuwata, Managing Director, Sunstar Stationery Co., Ltd., Japan
Book your space
Buyers will make the Hong Kong International Stationery Fair 2010 their choice - so should you. Act now.
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