The hybrid digital/physical show format generated new business opportunities for SMEs and attracted around 9,500 buyers.
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the HKTDC Lifestyle Sourcing Show | Physical + Online came to what has been hailed a successful conclusion on 10th December. The physical show, which took place 1st-3rd December, and its online counterpart, which took place 6th-10th December, welcomed around 9,500 buyers who either visited in person or browsed an array of products online. In addition, more than 3,100 business meetings were arranged during the show. More than 580 exhibitors from nine countries and regions displayed their latest toys, baby products, gifts and more.
Benjamin Chau, deputy executive director of the HKTDC, said: “The hybrid format is a trend that’s here to stay. We are glad to see that the Lifestyle Sourcing Show has proved so effective in helping SMEs create new business opportunities despite the current travel restrictions. Besides hosting trade exhibitions, the HKTDC has responded to industry needs by organising more buyer networking sessions and thematic seminars to facilitate industry exchange both online and offline.”
The Lifestyle Sourcing Show adopted an online and physical hybrid model to maximise business opportunities for participants. By mobilising its network of 50 offices worldwide, the HKTDC helped exhibitors and buyers take advantage of its premium physical exhibition services and also leverage its sophisticated eCommerce platform to secure business opportunities.
Throughout the online show, exhibitors were able to promote their brands and products through visually creative virtual 3D booths. The HKTDC’s online business matching platform, Click2Match, meanwhile, successfully arranged meetings by using artificial intelligence to conduct automatic matching between potential business partners.
Buyer networking sessions were held during the physical show, attracting buyers and suppliers to attend and engage in on-site business discussions. Louis Chan, General Manager of H. Grossman Limited, said the Lifestyle Sourcing Show provided a good opportunity for his team to conduct one-on-one meetings with exhibitors. The company identified four to five potential suppliers of toys and says it may buy up to 10,000 pieces per order.
The HKTDC also organised a number of seminars during the show, with topics including staying ahead in a reshaped business landscape, mobile photography tips for lifestyle products, digital marketing strategies and the application and development of marketing technologies, in addition to the Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium and the Business Guide to Toys and Baby Products Industries webinar held before the show. A total of over 20,000 views at both the physical seminars and online platform were recorded. Playbacks of seminars and other events at the Lifestyle Sourcing Show can be viewed online at the fair website and the Click2Match platform.
