How to plan your April 2019 trade show trip to Asia

If you're considering attending Global Sources Summit and Exhibitions in April 2019, here’s some information to help you plan and make the most of your trip to Hong Kong and Mainland China.

There are a few suggested itineraries depending on the products you’re sourcing, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Feel free to drop us an email at summitinfo@globalsources.com if you need help planning your trip.

Decide which shows you want to attend

There are a number of trade shows held in Hong Kong and Guangzhou, Mainland China every April and October.

Your first step is to decide which shows you want to attend depending on the products you’re sourcing and the time you want to spend in Asia. You might also want to allocate a few days to visit factories in Mainland China.

Visiting your existing suppliers will help strengthen your relationship with them. You could also tour factories of new suppliers you've contacted online and are considering placing orders with.

Most sourcing shows are held around the same time with slightly overlapping dates to make it convenient for buyers to hop from one to another.

Importers typically spend 1 to 3 weeks in Asia attending trade shows. Try planning for at least 1 week to make the most of your trip.

Depending on how much time you have, you could spend more or less time at each show. Spending a minimum of 2 days at each show is advisable so you have plenty of time to explore and talk with suppliers.

Most buyers attend multiple exhibitions so they can see a variety of products and suppliers.

If you're sourcing electronics products, Global Sources Consumer Electronics and Global Sources Mobile Electronics are must-attend as these are the biggest and most established shows in these categories.

These are the flagship shows of Global Sources, and combined feature 7,500 booths of new and innovative electronics products from China, South Korea, and other Asian countries.

Held in Guangzhou every April and October, Canton Fair and is the oldest sourcing fair and has been held since 1957.

If you're looking for gifts, home products, sports, toys and similar consumer products, this fair is a must-attend.

Global Sources Lifestyle and Fashion in Hong Kong also feature gifts, home and fashion products. These shows are smaller than Canton Fair, but focus more on curating innovative products. It's easier to find new products with a high-profit margin potential at these shows.

Dates of Global Sources shows and Canton Fair

• April 11-14: Global Sources Consumer Electronics (Hong Kong)
• April 15-19: Canton Fair Phase 1 (Guangzhou)
• April 18-21: Global Sources Mobile Electronics (Hong Kong)
• April 23-27: Canton Fair Phase 2 (Guangzhou)
• April 27-29: Global Sources Summit (Hong Kong)
• April 27-30: Global Sources Fashion (Hong Kong)
• April 27-30: Global Sources Lifestyle (Hong Kong)
• May 1-5: Canton Fair Phase 3 (Guangzhou)

to download a printable trade show calendar that includes other shows in the region, and all the product categories at each show.

Why attend Global Sources Summit

If you're an Amazon or online seller, or a brand that wants to increase eCommerce sales, it would be advantageous to attend the 3-day Global Sources Summit while you're in Asia.

There aren't too many eCommerce conferences held outside of the US. If you're not based in the US, attend Global Sources Summit and co-located trade shows to cover two events at the cost of one trip.

At this award-wining conference, you can learn from leading eCommerce and sourcing experts, while networking with other like-minded Amazon and online sellers from around the world. Plus, of course source new products at the concurrent trade shows.

The 7^th edition of the Summit will be held from April 27-29 concurrently with Global Sources Lifestyle and Fashion shows.

More than 20 speakers, mostly from the US would be speaking at the conference. Topics to be covered include product selection, product launch, Amazon PPC, quality control, listing optimization, and much more.

Some of the confirmed speakers include Sean Smith, Will Mitchell, CJ Rosenbaum, Athena Severi, Ashlin Hadden, John Lawson, among others.

Limited time offer: Hotel sponsorship for Global Sources Summit

Register for Global Sources Summit before February 28, and you would be eligible for hotel sponsorship of up to HK$2,000.

Here are the steps to claim this cashback sponsorship:

1. Buy Summit tickets before 28 February 2019
2. Send an email to summitinfo@globalsources.com to say you'd like to avail the hotel sponsorship
3. Receive a letter of confirmation in March
4. Book and pay for your own hotel
5. During the Summit and trade shows in Hong Kong, visit the co-located Lifestyle show on 2 separate days to get HK$1,000 cash, and visit the Lifestyle show on 3 separate days to get HK$2,000 cash back
6. To claim the cash, visit the Show Management Office at the venue, show them the letter of confirmation, hotel booking receipt, Summit badge and photo identity

Suggested itineraries to attend Global Sources Summit and trade shows

Here are some possible itineraries if you would like to attend Global Sources Summit AND sourcing shows. Each importer has different needs and goals to accomplish during a sourcing trip to Asia, so use these suggested itineraries as a starting point when planning your trip.

Each show is allocated a minimum of 2 days in the itineraries below, but you may want to spend less or more time at a show depending on your preference.

Itinerary 1: Sourcing electronics products

If you're sourcing electronics products, here's how you could consider planning your trip.

Long trip:

• April 12: Arrive in Hong Kong
• April 13 – 14: Global Sources Consumer Electronics (Hong Kong)
• April 15 – 16: Electronics Fair (Hong Kong)
• April 17 – 18: Sightseeing in Hong Kong
• April 19 – 21: Global Sources Mobile Electronics (Hong Kong)
• April 22 – 26: Factory visits and / or Canton Fair Phase 1 (Guangzhou)
• April 27 – 29: Global Sources Summit (Hong Kong)
• April 30: Depart Hong Kong

Short trip:

• April 19: Arrive in Hong Kong
• April 20 – 21: Global Sources Mobile Electronics (Hong Kong)
• April 22 – 26: Factory visits and / or Canton Fair Phase 1 (Guangzhou)
• April 27 – 29: Global Sources Summit (Hong Kong)
• April 30: Depart Hong Kong

Itinerary: Sourcing gifts & home products

If you're sourcing gifts & home products, here's how you could consider planning your trip:

• April 20: Arrive in Hong Kong
• April 21 – 22: Houseware Fair (Hong Kong)
• April 23 – 26: Factory visits and / or Canton Fair Phase 2 (Guangzhou)
• April 27 – 29: Global Sources Summit (Hong Kong) + Lifestyle and Fashion shows
• April 30: Depart Hong Kong or Factory visits in Mainland China

Itinerary: Sourcing fashion products

If you're sourcing fashion products, here's how you could consider planning your trip:

• April 26: Arrive in Hong Kong
• April 27 – 29: Global Sources Summit (Hong Kong) + Lifestyle and Fashion shows
• April 30: Sightseeing in Hong Kong
• May 1 – 3: Canton Fair Phase 3 (Guangzhou)
• May 4 – 6: Factory visits in Mainland China
• May 7: Depart from Hong Kong or city in Mainland China

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Frequently asked questions

1. Do I need a visa for Hong Kong?

According to the Hong Kong Immigration Department, visitors of most foreign countries can enter Hong Kong without applying for a visa. International buyers from over 170 countries can enjoy visa-free entry for periods varying from seven days to six months.

To check if you need a visa, visit the Hong Kong Immigration Department website .

In case a visa is required
Visitors can submit their applications directly to the Hong Kong Immigration Department, or through a Chinese diplomatic or consular mission in their area of residence.

Important Notice for Indian Nationals Traveling to Hong Kong
Indian nationals are required to apply for and successfully complete pre-arrival registration (PAR) online before they can visit the HKSAR visa free. Please click here for details of PAR.

Traveling to Mainland China
Visitors from most countries need a visa to enter Mainland China. If you are planning to attend Canton Fair in Guangzhou after Global Sources Summit, apply for your Mainland China visa in advance. Please click here for more information on China visas.

2. Can I fly directly to Hong Kong?

Yes, Hong Kong is an international transportation hub. You can fly directly to Hong Kong from most countries in the world.

Many business travelers heading to Mainland China, first fly to Hong Kong.

3. Where should I stay in Hong Kong to conveniently travel to the trade show venues?

Hong Kong is a small city. Regardless of where you stay, you will most likely not be more than 30 minutes away from either of the two trade show venues. However, if you want to stay close to the venue, you can consider the following:

HKTDC: Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay

Global Sources: Regal Airport Hotel (Hong Kong Airport)

If you buy a ticket for Global Sources Summit, you will be given complimentary Airport Express Train tickets to and from the city. These will be given to you when you check-in to the Summit on April 27.

4. What types of suppliers can I find at the Hong Kong shows and Canton Fair?

At Global Sources shows, the majority of suppliers tend to be manufacturers from Mainland China. There is a small number of trading companies.

A large share of the exhibitors at the HKTDC shows are Hong Kong owned companies – many of which operate factories in the nearby Guangdong province.

At Canton Fair, most companies are from Mainland China, and there is a large number of trading companies and agents.

5. Do most exhibitors have English speaking personnel?

Yes, most exhibitors at all shows have English-speaking staff so you don't necessarily need an interpreter while attending trade shows. Staff at the Hong Kong shows tend to be more fluent in English as compared to the staff at Canton Fair.

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