Trade shows play an important role as the main channel for procurement to meet new suppliers. There are many advantages:
1. Physical experience: You can touch and test stationery on-site to avoid the risk of “pictures don't match” that is associated with online sourcing.
2. Quick screening: Compare the product quality, price and design differences of dozens of suppliers in one day, which is much more efficient than online communication.
3. Instant communication: directly discuss MOQ (minimum order quantity), price, delivery date and other key terms, avoiding the delay of email back and forth.
4. Observation of reliability: Judge the strength of suppliers by their booth size, team professionalism, case presentations, etc.
5. Discover new products: exhibitions are often the platform for brand debuts (e.g., eco-friendly stationery, smart notebooks, etc.), 3-6 months ahead of online channels.
6. Industry insights: Understand market trends (e.g. demand in Europe and the US shifting to biodegradable materials) through seminars and analysis of competing products.
7. Coverage of the whole industry chain: suppliers from raw materials (e.g. paper, ink) to finished products (stationery sets) are presented centrally.
8. Matchmaking of supporting services: logistics, quality control and design service providers can be synchronized to reduce the cost of subsequent cooperation.
9. Anti-fraud protection: the organizer of the exhibition usually audits the qualifications of exhibitors to reduce the probability of encountering trade fraud.
Here are my recommendations for trade shows in China and internationally, based on my experience in stationery and art supplies industry:
Fair in China:
Canton Fair: The Canton Fair is held in Guangzhou in April and October every year. It is the largest comprehensive trade fair in China, with “Office Stationery” exhibition area, attracting global buyers, suppliers covering the whole industry chain.
Paperworld China: The paperworld China Fair is held in Shanghai in October every year. Organized by Messe Frankfurt Exhibition Group, Germany, focusing on stationery, office supplies and gifts, with a high proportion of international exhibitors and buyers.
Hongkong Gifts and Premium Fair: The Hongkong Gifts and Premium Fair is held in Hongkong in April every year. It is Asia's largest gift show, attracting over 4,000 exhibitors and 100,000+ professional buyers worldwide.
Fair in international:
Paperworld Fair: the paperworld fair It is the world's largest stationery exhibition, Chinese exhibitors often participate in the form of pavilion, suitable for European market buyers.
ISOT (International Stationery Show, Tokyo, Japan): It is the top stationery show in Asia, where Chinese suppliers mainly display cost-effective products for the Japanese and Southeast Asian markets.
NY NOW (New York Gift & Stationery Show, USA): It is a key show for the North American market, with Chinese exhibitors focusing on office stationery and creative design categories.
We Ningbo Phyno as China stationery and art supplies manufacturing vendor, we attended many fair in China or in foreign country and we worked with many famous clients, like: Walmart, Costco, Tedi, Lidl, Hamelin, Paper Chase. Etc. Welcome contact us if you have any inquiry.
