Mar 19, 2021
HKTDC International Sourcing Show opens March through July

HKTDC International Sourcing Show opened Mar. 17 and runs through Jul. 29, 2021. This online and offline fair helps businesses capture new opportunities. As global sourcing becomes increasingly digitalized in the wake of the pandemic, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has debuted the HKTDC International Sourcing Show, a trade exhibition held in both online and physical formats, to help businesses adjust to the new sourcing model.

Show Details

The online section of the show began March 17 and enables buyers and suppliers to engage through a dedicated online exhibition platform that features business matching and video conferencing tools.

Once the pandemic situation eases, businesses can join the physical show at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, July 26-29, to explore further opportunities.

Despite this challenging environment, HKTDC reacted to the situation with a flexible and innovative approach, strengthed its online services and migrated physical fairs online. It also launched an upgraded hktdc.com sourcing platform.

“Although the global pandemic situation remains volatile, the release of COVID-19 vaccines and the commencement of mass vaccination programs make us optimistic that trade activities can begin to return to normal. However, we believe that international trade exhibitions will continue to be held online through the first half of 2021. Even when the pandemic eases, we expect a hybrid model of online and offline sourcing to become a dominant trend,” said Benjamin Chau, deputy executive director of HKTDC.

“To help Hong Kong businesses adapt to an increasingly digitalized sourcing model, the HKTDC has set up quality online platforms and support services and has leveraged e-commerce capabilities and new technologies to provide a seamless online-to- offline (O2O) experience for suppliers and buyers. The online-and-offline model of the International Sourcing Show will create synergy between the two exhibition formats. We will also mobilize the HKTDC’s network of 50 offices worldwide to help exhibitors and buyers make the best possible preparations,” he added.

Exhibitions

Four themed categories highlight quality lifestyle products and solutions. The International Sourcing Show is the first online-and-offline exhibition organized by the HKTDC.

Seven Trade Fairs

With the theme “Your Source of Inspiration,” the show integrates the seven HKTDC trade fairs that were originally scheduled to run in spring 2021. Those fairs include:

HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair
HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair
HKTDC Hong Kong Houseware Fair
HKTDC Hong Kong International Home Textiles

Main Categories

From Mar. 17-Jul. 29, the show will highlight a broad range of quality lifestyle products and solutions under four main categories:

Smart Home: Featuring an extensive selection of houseware, home textiles and furnishings, including household and furniture items.
Smart Play: Showcasing a range of baby products and toys and games, spanning baby care, nursery products and interactive and educational games.
Smart Style: Highlighting an eclectic mix of fashion products, gifts and premiums as well as printing and packaging solutions.
Smart Tech: Displaying a wide variety of tech products, including electronics, lighting and medical and healthcare products employing the latest technologies.

Businesses offered new product video production service

More than 1,400 companies from 20 countries and regions will exhibit at the show. Among them are 19 group pavilions, including the Department of Commerce of Jiangsu, Department of Commerce of Zhejiang Province, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the Taiwan Toy & Children’s Article Manufacturers Association. In addition to exhibiting in the usual formats, some exhibitors have opted to use 3D virtual booths to promote their brands and products in more eye-catching ways.

The HKTDC has also launched a product video production service to enable resource-strapped SMEs to design and produce videos to promote their products and help them catch the attention of buyers.

Webinars to help enhance marketing skills

The HKTDC has invited more than 60 industry luminaries to share their insights in 17 webinars. A number of highlighted webinars will be held during the first three days of the online show include: