Chinese Trade Show

Looking to start your sourcing project? The trade show is the best way to get started. But please, come with a product in mind, and come with a plan. These shows are massive and the "window shopper" can get exhausted and leave with a bag full of brochures and business cards, but no idea where to go next. These are some tips we recommend:

Chinese Visa

If this show is in mainland China (i.e. outside of Hong Kong or Macao) then you will need a Chinese Visa.

Research Beforehand

Hopefully you're an expert, at least on the user level, of the product type you are looking to source. Knowing quality issues, raw material costs, and market values is crucial first impression when chit chatting at the tradeshow booth.

Know your Pricing Points

Sure, you can't walk out of the show with a container of stopwatches, but knowing what the market prices are and testing the sales manager or general manager there will allow you to gauge the factory and learn if they are worth your time.

Bring Physical Samples

Just because you can't buy samples from them, there isn't anything wrong with bringing in the samples yourself, within reason! (washing machines!!?) Bringing the physical answers so many questions, avoids communication issues, and puts apples to apples.

Study the Map

Try to get the trade show map ahead of time, but if you can't - be prepared to circle, marker, and highlight as soon as you get it. Time is precious, and if you have the organization and "attack plan" you'll be much more successful.

Trade Shows We Recommend