How should you prepare for the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, China?

History on the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, China

The Canton Fair is held in Guangzhou, China. First began in 1957 and bringing in over 25,000 exhibitors last year. Held biannually in April to May and in October to November with three different categories or phases: phase 1 is typically electronics, vehicles, hardware and tools, energy and resources; phase 2 is consumer goods, gifts and decorations; phase 3 is office supplies, medical devices and health products, food, shoes, and textile and garments.

The name change was first announced in 2007 from Chinese Export Commodities Fair or Canton Fair to China Import and Export Fair. This fair is largest fair in China co-hosted with the Ministry of Commerce of China and the People’s Government of Guangdong Province. Organized by the China Foreign Trade Center. The Canton Fair functions as both a tradition and an overall event with international importance and brings in a variety of products including the largest number of business deals made at the fair made between private enterprises, scientific research institutions, manufacturers, foreign-owned enterprises and foreign trade companies.

Checklist before the Canton Fair

1. Prior to arrival you must own a valid China visa with a letter of invitation from a company or institution in China and register on the official Canton Fair website here
2. Plan ahead, reserve your hotel as soon as your attendance is confirmed with a valid visa and letter. Know how you will get to and from the Pazhou complex.
3. Do your research. Find out what complex you need to be at: phase 1, phase 2, or phase 3.
4. Review the map to outline booths you wish to visit for meetings, and what booth number you will be located at.
5. Create the best form of collecting contacts like business cards, names, and numbers.

At the Fair

Even though you may be located in a different phase of the Pazhou complex it is likely the potential supplier, company, factory, agent or broker will be there. Gather your questions you want to know in advanced from multiple suppliers or factories. Pay close attention to the terms for packaging, shipping and payment terms. And understand the potential suppliers you interview about their export license, target customers, production lines and their process for outsourcing and manufacturing.

Tips once you arrive to the Canton Fair

1. Complete the registration inside your hotel. There are approximately 32 hotels that have this option. It is listed on the official Canton Fair website.
2. Locate the information center, and then grab a map which can inform you about restaurants, location of the Pazhou complex, and transportation.
3. Plan your itinerary in advance. Note all banks close at 4:30 pm and most booths will close at 2:00 pm.
4. Write down the name of the Chinese vendor, contact, and company name. This will increase the efficiency of your trip to identify the correct people and companies you need to meet with.
5. There is free Wi-Fi. Just connect to Canton Fair.
6. Bring a pen and paper to take notes or write down contacts.
7. Get a VPN or enable international roaming services to connect to Google or Facebook. Great for conversing with your audience if you want to engage your audience on social media.

Draft a plan of action to cover your bases at the 2018 Canton Fair

With a lot of space to cover in a short time it is a good idea to allot yourself a minimum of three days at the Canton Fair. According to previous attendees they recommend going to the suppliers you have previously contacted and add other suppliers you may be interested in for gathering ideas in day one. Follow your strategy into day two. Or, as recommended create a shortlist of suppliers you would like to go back to and ask the same questions to all of them, write it down or record it and organize it by the name of the company with the contact information. Bring a lot of business cards. Suppliers may be reluctant to give you a brochure about the company without you handing them your business card. Download WeChat, it is easy to connect and communicate with the suppliers by scanning their phone. In addition, when traveling to the suppliers, you will collect a lot of information. It is recommend to bring a rolling bag to collect it. There is a post office there if you need to ship the martial you collected back to your home city, town or country. Know the times of the shuttle schedule to the fair so you don’t miss it going to and from the Canton Fair. And last, if the supplier allows you to, take a selfie with them and the product so you can send it back to them via email or WeChat to continue the business conversation.

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