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Market Report: Hong Kong

By Cinda Baxter -- Gifts and Dec, 11/1/2008 12:00:00 AM

During our first 60 minutes at the Hong Kong Gifts and Premiums Fair [which ran April 28–May 1], we learned two very important lessons: hospitality and ceremony have been perfected here, and this show is big ... as in huge, enormous and mind-blowing. And that was just the first 60 minutes!

The show opened with two invitation-only traditions — first, a tea ceremony and second, the official Opening Ceremony, which was attended by the world press. There's no doubting how much pride the Hong Kong Trade Development Council takes in what it has created ... with good reason. The council has built a show that is truly impressive, and one that is set off in style.

With nearly 4,000 vendors participating in show at the expansive Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre — a building often compared with the Sydney Opera House in Australia because of its soaring, wing-like rooflines — it's no wonder the word “overwhelmed” comes up in conversation.

Hitting the show floor brought our next lesson: this isn't like other shows Gifts & Decorative Accessories attends. One booth, for example, filled with beautiful pens of every color and style, looked like a great fit for a couple of retailers in the States. So, of course, I asked the standard question, “What's your opening order?” expecting the typical U.S. equivalent of $100...$150...$300… the usual. But no. This was the Big Time. Opening order was 1,000 pieces.

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Direct From Market: Hong Kong Gifts and Premiums Fair

May 27, 2008

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