Sizzling Season
HKTDC Summer Sourcing Show for Gifts, Houseware & Toys 2008
Asia's top mid-season fair is set to turn up the heat
Buyers seeking hot deals between major purchasing months will once again hit it big at the HKTDC Summer Sourcing Show for Gifts, Houseware & Toys, the leading mid-season trading platform in Asia.
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the fifth edition of the event will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 2-5 July.
The spotlight will focus on the latest innovative items from hundreds of exhibitors from around the globe. To ensure precision sourcing, the show is divided into various theme zones, including the new Advertising Premium and Home Tech sections.
Precision purchasing
Advertising Premium will showcase promotional gifts and articles, novelties and posters, while Home Tech will exhibit the latest healthcare electronics, home security devices, intelligent home appliances, home automation and small electrical appliances.
A key highlight of the show will be Treasure Island, a premium section dedicated to products distinguished by their exceptional standards of style, quality and creativity.
In addition, the Gift Ideas zone will display the latest designs in paper and packaging, picture and photo frames and stationery. For buyers of kitchenware and gadgets as well as tableware, the Dining & Cooking zone is the right place to visit.
Exhibits at the Home Living zone will include bathroom accessories, cleaning supplies, gardening and outdoor accessories, general houseware items, hardware and DIY products, and health and personal care items.
The Style & Decor zone will feature artificial flowers, furniture, lighting, handicrafts, home decorations and household textiles.
A wide choice of toys and sporting goods, as well as festive and party items, will be found at the Fun & Play section. Ladies' World, meanwhile, will act as a showcase for gifts and premium items for women. Other zones include Costume Jewellery and Trade Services.
Added attractions
Besides serving as a vibrant marketplace, the show will also encompass networking events, seminars and forums for participants to make business contacts, compare notes, gather market intelligence and keep abreast of the latest market and product trends.
Adding further value to the fair will be the concurrent Hong Kong International Licensing Show, to be held from 2-4 July at the same venue to provide visitors with more business options.
An ideal backdrop for the Summer Sourcing Show, Hong Kong is an important supplier of gifts, houseware and toys. It exported toys, dolls and games worth a total of US$12.3bn last year, a 23% increase over 2006. Exports in 2007 of household goods amounted to US$26.1bn, up 19%, while those of gifts, premiums and novelty items reached US$21.3bn, up 2%.
Launched in 2004, the fair has been providing additional trading opportunities between the traditional buying seasons in April and October.
Last year, the event attracted 825 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions, as seven group pavilions were staged by the Chinese mainland, Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, as well as the Hong Kong Exporters' Association.
A total of 20,165 buyers came from 96 countries and regions, including both established and new markets such as Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Singapore, Thailand, the UAE and the US.
Among the participants were 80 buying missions from 29 countries and regions, representing companies with strong purchasing power.
Such an impressive international turnout reflected the global importance and worldwide nature of the event, which was lauded by buyers.
Thumbs up
"There is a wide range of products on display and I've found many items of interest. The fair is well organised with good facilities. This is a good place to do business," said Jamal Awad, Deputy Managing Director at UAE gift and houseware trader Grand Stores.
His sentiment was echoed by Richard Morgan, Managing Director at Morganware of Australia. "Last year was my first visit to the summer fair and I enjoyed it so much I had to come back this year," he said at the last fair.
Ringing endorsements were also accorded by exhibitors.
"The Summer Sourcing Show serves as a good platform to promote our premium items. The fair attracts different traders from around the world," enthused Eddie Lui, Creative Director at Thomas Crown Design Services of Hong Kong. "It is getting better and better each year and it helps us to reach new customers."
Riding on such overwhelming popularity, the HKTDC Summer Sourcing Show for Gifts, Houseware & Toys looks certain to prove another sizzling success in 2008.
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