2024 Canton Fair Participation Review: Preparation Process

2024 Canton Fair Participation Review: Preparation Process

 

 

 

1. Selected as a KIDP Design Market Development Participant

 

 

First, we were honored to participate in the Canton Fair as part of the Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP) “Design Market Development Delegation” After being selected, we attended an orientation session where the event schedule and preparation guidelines were shared. This session also included a networking opportunity with other participating companies.

 

2. Preparations Before Departure

 

 

Leading up to the event, we were busy preparing materials such as products for display, booth design, and promotional brochures.

 

Selected companies also had the opportunity to pitch to buyers at the fair. Although the pitch time was limited, it was an invaluable chance for companies aiming to export to overseas markets. Preparing our pitch and creating a compelling presentation kept us very busy, making time fly by!

 

 

One critical preparation for the Canton Fair is a QR code. While it is an international trade fair, most communication happens through WeChat, a popular messaging app in China. Since foreign messaging apps like Line or WhatsApp are restricted in China without a VPN, we highly recommend setting up a WeChat account in advance if you plan to participate in the Canton Fair.

 

3. Booth Setup and Design

 

 

Booth locations were assigned by a lottery system, and we were fortunate to be positioned at the far left corner of our section. The escalator in the back allowed us to utilize the rear of our booth for branding.

 

 

We included QR codes for our website and contact details on the back of the booth. Many buyers simply scanned the codes to explore our offerings or reach out. If you’re planning to join the fair, consider incorporating such small details for additional exposure.

 

4. On-Site Experience

 

 

After arriving in China, we went to the venue to prepare our booth. The day before the fair began, we spent time arranging products and brochures we had brought from Korea. We also took the chance to explore how other companies were setting up their booths.

 

Communication with buyers is another essential part of preparation. During the fair, we added dozens of WeChat contacts daily and received numerous inquiries. To streamline this process, we prepared standard introductory messages and a brief overview of our services. Many buyers were interested in design estimates, so we recommend thinking in advance about how to address these inquiries effectively.

 

Challenges with Design Quotations

 

 

The Canton Fair is primarily focused on large-scale product procurement, with most participants being wholesalers and manufacturers. For design companies, this creates unique challenges. While buyers often inquire about design quotes, it’s difficult to provide immediate estimates at the event.

 

 

Design quotations depend on factors like the type of product, materials, manufacturing methods, and design complexity. Additionally, buyers at the fair often lack clear specifications or detailed design requirements, making it hard to provide tailored quotes on the spot.

To address this, we prepared simple forms to help understand buyers’ design needs and conduct market research. However, we realized that having a user-friendly, clickable form accessible via WeChat would have been even more effective. We plan to incorporate this into our preparations for next year’s Canton Fair.

 

A Tip for Creating Forms

 

 

When creating forms, avoid using Google Forms, as they can sometimes be inaccessible in China. Instead, we recommend using Tencent’s form platform, widely used in China. While it’s in Chinese, the site can be translated, and registering with a WeChat ID allows free usage. The process is straightforward, similar to Google Forms, and it’s easy to configure.